Soil Stabilization Through Microbial Bioenzymes: A Comprehensive Review of Recent Developments in Eco-Friendly Approaches

Soil stabilization is a critical process that involves the modification of soil properties, both chemically and mechanically, to create an improved soil material with desirable engineering properties. The use of bioenzyme-based soil stabilization techniques has emerged as an environmentally friendly approach, and this article aims to review the recent advancements in this field. The review covers the production of bioenzymes, the mechanism of soil stabilization using bioenzymes, future challenges, and opportunities in the sector. Soil stabilization is essential for increasing soil strength, preventing erosion and dust generation, and it is a vital part of any construction process. However, conventional soil stabilization methods are becoming increasingly expensive, making them inaccessible to many people. Bioenzymes are a promising alternative to traditional stabilizers, and they offer an eco-friendly, cost-effective solution for soil stabilization. Several proprietary bioenzyme formulations have been used in different projects worldwide, but their widespread use requires intensive field testing. Bioenzymes’ use and production offer significant opportunities to improve soil stability while saving time, energy, and economy. These also have the potential to reduce environmental pollution resulting from carbon emissions by conventional stabilizers. There is a need for more research and practice to produce low-cost, widely applicable, and environmentally friendly enzymatic formulations from locally available raw materials. Therefore, the review concludes that a better understanding of bioenzyme-based soil stabilization technology is crucial to exploit its full potential in enhancing soil stability.