Microbial and molecular approaches for PFAS transformation in soils: prospects and limitations

Abstract

Microbial and enzymatic strategies for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) transformation are receiving increasing attention, but remain at an early stage of scientific development. This review evaluates the limited but emerging evidence for microbially mediated PFAS transformation, the putative enzymes implicated through multi-omics investigations, and the prospects and constraints of molecular engineering and synthetic biology. While computational modelling and omics approaches have proposed candidate mechanisms, no enzyme has yet been experimentally validated to catalyse efficient cleavage of perfluorinated C–F bonds, and most reported bio-transformations involve precursor compounds rather than terminal PFAS. Environmental factors, slow kinetics, and uncertain mechanisms further limit the practical application. Comparative analysis with established physicochemical technologies highlights that microbial strategies are best viewed as long-term, complementary tools rather than near-term solutions. Future work requires enzyme discovery, mechanistic elucidation, and careful integration of biological, computational, and engineering methodologies.