Research Topic: pharmaceutical biodegradation

Adaptive responses of Gordonia alkanivorans IEGM 1277 to the action of meloxicam and its efficient biodegradation

This research demonstrates that a bacterium called Gordonia alkanivorans can break down meloxicam, a commonly used anti-inflammatory drug that pollutes our environment. The bacteria successfully converted the harmful drug into less toxic byproducts over two weeks. The study reveals how the bacteria adapted to handle the drug stress and identified the specific genes and enzymes responsible for the degradation process. These findings could lead to new biological methods for cleaning pharmaceutical pollutants from wastewater.

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Enhanced biodegradation of fluorinated pharmaceutical by Aspergillus flavus and Cunninghamella elegans biofilms: kinetics and mechanisms

This research shows that two types of fungi—Aspergillus flavus and Cunninghamella elegans—can effectively break down commonly prescribed medications found in wastewater through biofilm formation on foam carriers. The fungi degrade these drugs through enzymatic action rather than absorption, removing 85-99% of the pharmaceuticals within days. This discovery offers a promising, cost-effective biological treatment for cleaning wastewater from hospitals and pharmaceutical factories, potentially protecting aquatic environments from drug pollution.

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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.

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