Plant enzymes in metabolism of organic pollutants

Abstract Anthropogenic activities and natural processes pollute soil and aquatic environments with high quantity of organic pollutants or substances such as pesticides, solvents, halogenated compounds, petroleum hydrocarbons, and phthalate esters. The use of traditional or conventional approaches like physical and chemical methods for remediation of these organic pollutants is economically challenging process. In this regard, remediation with biological agents poses promising alternative. Enzyme-based technologies are crucial for metabolism and degradation of organic substances. They can be used in metabolism of simple and complex organic pollutants. This chapter provides an overview on different plant enzymatic alternatives for decontamination of soils and their role in transformation and metabolism of organic pollutants.