Enhanced biodegradation of fluorinated pharmaceutical by Aspergillus flavus and Cunninghamella elegans biofilms: kinetics and mechanisms
Two types of fungi, Aspergillus flavus and Cunninghamella elegans, can effectively break down pharmaceutical pollutants commonly found in wastewater, such as antidepressants and antibiotics. When grown as biofilms on foam carriers, these fungi removed over 90% of the target pharmaceuticals very quickly. The fungi accomplish this primarily through enzymatic breakdown rather than absorption, making them promising candidates for cleaning wastewater at treatment plants.