Kanekar, PradnyaDautpure, PremlataSarnaik, Seema2009-05-282009-05-282003-09-10Kanekar P, Dautpure P, Sarnaik S. Biodegradation of nitro-explosives. Indian Journal of Experimental Biology. 2003 Sep; 41(9): 991-1001http://imsear.searo.who.int/handle/123456789/6270341 references.Environmental contamination by nitro compounds is associated principally with the explosives industry. However, global production and use of explosives is unavoidable. The presently widely used nitro-explosives are TNT (Trinitrotoluene), RDX (Royal Demolition Explosive) and HMX (High Melting Explosive). Nevertheless, the problems of these nitro-explosives are almost parallel due to their similarities of production processes, abundance of nitro-explosives and resembling chemical structures. The nitro-explosives per se as well as their environmental transformation products are toxic, showing symptoms as methaemoglobinaemia, kidney trouble, jaundice etc. Hence their removal/degradation from soil/water is essential. Aerobic and anaerobic degradation of TNT and RDX have been reported, while for HMX anaerobic or anoxic degradation have been described in many studies. A multisystem involvement using plants in remediation is gaining importance. Thus the information about degradation of nitro-explosives is available in jigsaw pieces which needs to be arranged and lacunae filled to get concrete degradative schemes so that environmental pollution from nitro-explosives can be dealt with more successfully at a macroscale. An overview of the reports on nitro-explosives degradation, future outlook and studies done by us are presented in this review.engBiodegradation, EnvironmentalEnvironmental Pollutants --metabolismEnvironmental Pollution --prevention & controlPlants --metabolismSoil MicrobiologyTriazines --chemistryTrinitrotoluene --chemistryWater MicrobiologyJournal Article