processes Review Use of Nanotechnology for the Bioremediation of Contaminants: A Review Edgar Vázquez-Núñez 1,* , Carlos Eduardo Molina-Guerrero 1, Julián Mario Peña-Castro 2, Fabián Fernández-Luqueño 3 and Ma. Guadalupe de la Rosa-Álvarez 1 1 Departamento de Ingenierías Química, Electrónica y Biomédica, División de Ciencias e Ingenierías, Campus León, Universidad de Guanajuato, Lomas del Bosque 103, Lomas del Campestre, León, Guanajuato C.P. 37150, Mexico; cmolina@fisica.ugto.mx (C.E.M.-G.);
[email protected] (M.G.d.l.R.-Á.) 2 Laboratorio de Biotecnología Vegetal, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad del Papaloapan, Tuxtepec, Oaxaca C.P. 68333, Mexico;
[email protected] 3 Programas en Sustentabilidad de los Recursos Naturales y Energía, Cinvestav Saltillo Industrial, Parque Industrial, Ramos Arizpe, Coahuila C.P. 25900, Mexico;
[email protected] * Correspondence: edgarvqznz@fisica.ugto.mx Received: 22 May 2020; Accepted: 8 July 2020; Published: 13 July 2020 Abstract: Contaminants, organic or inorganic, represent a threat for the environment and human health and in recent years their presence and persistence has increased rapidly. For this reason, several technologies including bioremediation in combination with nanotechnology have been explored to identify more systemic approaches for their removal from environmental matrices. Understanding the interaction between the contaminant, the microorganism, and the nanomaterials (NMs) is of crucial importance since positive and negative effects may be produced. For example, some nanomaterials are stimulants for microorganisms, while others are toxic. Thus, proper selection is of paramount importance. The main objective of this review was to analyze the principles of bioremediation assisted by nanomaterials, nanoparticles (NPs) included, and their interaction with environmental matrices.