Abstract
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and analgesics are two of the most employed drug groups around the world due to their use in the treatment of edema and pain. However, they also present an ecological challenge because they are considered as potential water pollutants. In this work, the biodegradation of four NSAIDs (diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen and ketoprofen) and one analgesic (acetaminophen) at 50 µM (initial concentration) by Penicillium oxalicum, at both flask and bioreactor bench scales, was evaluated. An important co-metabolic mechanism as part of the global bioremediation process for the elimination of these drugs was observed, as in some cases it was necessary to supplement glucose to achieve a 100% removal rate: both individually and as a complex mixture. Identical behavior in the implementation of a fluidized bench-scale batch bioreactor, inoculated with pellets of this fungus and the complex mix of the drugs, was observed. The role of the cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP) in the biodegradation of the drugs mix were evidenced by the observation of hydroxylated by-products. The results on the reduction of toxicity (micro and phyto) were not conclusive; however, a reduction in phytotoxicity was detected.
Highlights
Fungi are eukaryotic global organisms of paramount importance, able to colonize and survive in multiple marine and soil environments
The reduction of the toxicity of effluent contaminated with pharmaceutical compounds treated with fungi systems is based on the biotransformation of the molecules, mainly by the extraordinary capability of some of the models to produce high amounts of extracellular lignin-modifying enzymes (LME) [3,10,11,12]
The phytotoxicity test was performed according to the method of Zucconi et al (1981) which consists in measuring the germination index (GI) of garden cress seeds (Lepidium sativum L.)
Summary
Fungi are eukaryotic global organisms of paramount importance, able to colonize and survive in multiple marine and soil environments. The reduction of the toxicity of effluent contaminated with pharmaceutical compounds treated with fungi systems is based on the biotransformation of the molecules, mainly by the extraordinary capability of some of the models to produce high amounts of extracellular lignin-modifying enzymes (LME) [3,10,11,12] These works have tried to design efficient elimination systems at bench, pilot or industrial scales, usually by studying the biodegradation of drugs individually, or by using mixtures made according to quantification methods, or to avoid interferences in sterile and non-sterile conditions [13,14,15,16,17]. We performed (i) scaling of the process using free biomass in a fluidized bench bioreactor, (ii) evaluated the influence of glucose into the system for degradation of a complex mix of drugs, (iii) analyzed the metabolites of degradation and (iv) expanded toxicity studies including micro and phytotoxicity assays
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