Potential of Microbial Consortia (Bacteria-Fungi) in Hydrocarbon-Contaminated Soil Bioremediation: Overcoming Wax Fraction Degradation Challenges

Abstract

Soil contamination by petroleum hydrocarbons, including wax fractions, is a major global environmental issue causing ecosystem degradation, decreased soil fertility levels and effects on human health. Conventional physical-chemical remediation techniques are often costly and unsustainable. Alternatively, the application of bacterial-fungal microbial consortia has emerged as a promising bioremediation solution. This consortium offers superior metabolic synergy to break down complex hydrocarbons, facilitated by the production of biosurfactants and extracellular enzymes. This review article focuses on the potential of bacterial-fungal consortia in remediating hydrocarbon-contaminated soils, addressing aerobic and anaerobic degradation, biosurfactant performance and the challenges of degrading wax fractions. The review concludes that further research is essential to optimize the use of bacterial-fungal consortia for degrading wax fractions in heavy oil-polluted soils, leading to the development of viable bioremediation technologies