Biodegradation is the breakdown of organic matter by microorganisms like bacteria and fungi. It is generally assumed to be a natural process that differentiates it from composting. Biodegradation is defined as the process by which organic substances are decomposed by microorganisms into simpler substances like carbon dioxide, water, and ammonia. The biodegradation process is divided into three stages: biodeterioration, which weakens the structure of materials on a surface level; biofragmentation, which produces oligomers and monomers by breaking polymer bonds; and assimilation, where the resulting fragments enter microbial cells and are integrated into catabolic pathways to produce energy.

1. BIODEGRADATION
​Submitted by:
A. R. Deborah (BP211501)
II M.Sc. Applied Microbiology
Sacred Heart College
(Autonomous)
Tirupattur, Tamil Nadu, India
Submitted to:
Dr. P. Saranraj
Head
Department of microbiology
Sacred Heart College (Autonomous)
Tirupattur, Tamil Nadu, India

2. Agenda
 Introduction
 Definition
 Biodegradation Triangle
 Mechanisms
 Process of degradation
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3. Introduction
Biodegradation is the breakdown of organic
matter by microorganisms, such as bacteria and
fungi. It is generally assumed to be a natural
process, which differentiates it from composting.
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4. Definition
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Biodegradation is the process by which
organic substances are decomposed by
microorganisms into simpler substances such
as carbon dioxide, water, and ammonia.

5. Biodegradation Triangle
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Environmental
condition
Microorganisms
Compound
structure properties
Biodegradation

6. Mechanism Of Biodegradation
The process of biodegradation is divided into three,
 Biodeterioration
 Biofragmentation
 Assimilation
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7. Process Of Biodegradation

8. Biodeterioration
A surface-level degradation that modifies the
mechanical, physical, and chemical properties
of the material. This stage occurs in
degradation by weakening the structure of the
material.
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9. Biofragmentation
A polymer is fragmented during the lytic process of
bond cleavage, which produces oligomers and
monomers in its place. Depending on whether
oxygen is present in the solution, different
procedures are followed to fragment these
components.
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10. Assimilation
In the assimilation stage, the resulting products from fragmentation
are then integrated into microbial cells. Biotransformation reactions
yield products that can then be transported inside the cell. The
products enter catabolic pathways that lead to the production of
adenosine triphosphate (ATP).
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11. Thank you