Microbial Enzymatic Pathways for Petroleum Biodegradation in Aquatic Environments: Molecular Mechanisms and Environmental Perspectives

The growing global energy demand and extensive use of petroleum have led to recurrent environmental incidents─particularly oil spills─that pose severe ecological risks. Microbial biodegradation has emerged as a promising biocatalytic strategy for remediation of environments contaminated by petroleum hydrocarbons. This review provides an integrative analysis of microbial degradation pathways, highlighting key enzymatic mechanisms, catalytic efficiencies, and environmental and operational factors influencing biodegradation. Prominent microbial agents include Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Alcanivorax borkumensis (bacteria), Aspergillus niger and Trametes versicolor (fungi), and yeasts such as Yarrowia lipolytica and Candida tropicalis, each with distinct enzymatic systems involved in the transformation of alkanes, aromatics, and polycyclic hydrocarbons. A scientometric analysis covering 2005–2025 reveals a substantial rise in research activity, with China and the United States leading in publications and citations. High-impact journals, such as Chemosphere and Journal of Hazardous Materials, dominate the dissemination of findings in this field. Additionally, the study discusses the ecological impacts of petroleum pollution, compares conventional and biological remediation techniques, and explores the molecular basis of microbial catalysis. Emerging approaches─including nanobioremediation, metabolic engineering, and omics-driven modeling─are highlighted as future directions for enhancing catalytic performance and environmental sustainability. Overall, this review underscores the potential of microbial biocatalysis as a scalable and ecoefficient approach to address the environmental challenges posed by petroleum-derived pollutants.