Bacterial degradation of nitrophenols and their derivatives

•This review presents the current scenario of bacterial degradation of nitrophenols.•Biochemical characterization of degradation of nitrophenols is described.•Genetic characterization of degradation of nitrophenols is discussed.•Bioremediation and chemotaxis potentials of nitrophenols-degrading bacteria are discussed. This review intends to provide an overview of bacterial degradation of nitrophenols (NPs) and their derivatives. The main scientific focus is on biochemical and genetic characterization of bacterial degradation of NPs. Other aspects such as bioremediation and chemotaxis correlated with biodegradation of NPs are also discussed. This review will increase our current understanding of bacterial degradation of NPs and their derivatives.