Biochemical features of the degradation of pollutants by Rhodococcus as a basis for contaminated wastewater and soil cleanup

Rhodococcus bacteria are considered to be promising degraders of persistent pollutants and are the basis of biological preparations for contaminated wastewater and soil cleanup. Biotechnological application of this group of bacteria is based on the peculiaraties of their metabolism. This review briefly discusses the following main points: I. Growth of Rhodococcus on various aromatic substrates, II. Chloro/methylcatechol transformation pathways, 3-Chlorocatechol branch of the modified ortho-pathway, 4-Chlorocatechol branch of the modified ortho-pathway, Modified 3-chlorocatechol branch in Rhodococcus opacus 1CP, Meta-cleavage ofchlorocatechols, Modified pathway for methylcatechol degradation, III. Approaches to the enhancement of degradation activity, IV. Rhodococcus-based biopreparations, IV. Prospects.