Genetically Engineered Organisms: Possibilities and Challenges of Heavy Metal Removal and Nanoparticle Synthesis

Siavash Iravani and Rajender S. Varma
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Siavash Iravani: Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 81746-73461, Iran
Rajender S. Varma: Regional Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials, Czech Advanced Technology and Research Institute, Palacký University in Olomouc, Šlechtitelů 27, 783 71 Olomouc, Czech Republic

Clean Technol., 2022, vol. 4, issue 2, 1-10

Abstract: Heavy metal removal using genetically engineered organisms (GEOs) offer more cost and energy-efficient, safer, greener, and environmentally-friendly opportunities as opposed to conventional strategies requiring hazardous or toxic chemicals, complex processes, and high pressure/temperature. Additionally, GEOs exhibited superior potentials for biosynthesis of nanoparticles with significant capabilities in bioreduction of heavy metal ions that get accumulated as nanocrystals of various shapes/dimensions. In this context, GEO-aided nanoparticle assembly and the related reaction conditions should be optimized. Such strategies encompassing biosynthesized nanoparticle conforming to the green chemistry precepts help minimize the deployment of toxic precursors and capitalize on the safety and sustainability of the ensuing nanoparticle. Different GEOs with improved uptake and appropriation of heavy metal ions potentials have been examined for bioreduction and biorecovery appliances, but effective implementation to industrial-scale practices is nearly absent. In this perspective, the recent developments in heavy metal removal and nanoparticle biosynthesis using GEOs are deliberated, focusing on important challenges and future directions.

Keywords: heavy metals; biorecovery; biosynthesis; genetically engineered organisms; bioreduction; sustainable technologies (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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