Because naproxen causes pericardial edema and histopathological liver damage,
it can be considered a potential threat to aquatic organisms [41]. It is also suggested
that naproxen may induce genotoxicity [42].
The problems generated by the accumulation of NSAIDs and the effects they
cause on aquatic microorganisms, as well as their impact on humans, have been
considered in this report to address the most relevant examples of biological
technologies used in the elimination of NSAIDs.
11 NSAIDs Bioremediation
Biodegradation is the breakdown of a chemical substance in the elements that
compose it; it is achieved by the action of biological agents such as plants, animals,
and microorganisms, which use these elements in the metabolic processes required
in their vital activities [43].
Biological treatments of areas affected by emerging pollutants offer a less expensive and environmentally friendly alternative. Most microorganisms used in this
practice are capable of producing oxidoreductases enzymes that can degrade several
types of contaminants including NSAIDs [44].
Biodegradation models of emerging pollutants are necessary to evaluate, understand, and predict the main factors that influence the biodegradation of this type of
compounds in wastewater [45].
12 Biological Technologies for the Elimination
of Diclofenac
12.1 Microbial Consortium
The microbial consortium is a potential technique in the degradation of highly
polluting drugs for the environment, specifically for the elimination of NSAIDs [46].
The usefulness of this technology for the elimination of diclofenac has been
reported through the capacity of a microbial consortium composed of Alcaligenes
faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, and Proteus
mirabilis, to degrade different medications. A percentage of diclofenac degradation
of up to 89% has been observed over a period of 120 h at a concentration of 150 mg/
L. The maximum specific growth rate of the microorganisms was 0.096 mg/L/h. The
maximum specific biodegradation rate was 0.89 mg/L/h [46].
Residual metabolites predicted by spectroscopic analysis were also reported in
this study, including hydroxy-sodium diclofenac and acyl glucuronide. The presence
of these metabolic products suggests that the activity of the enzymes
monooxygenase and glucuronidase catalyzed the degradation reaction [46].
Biological Technologies Used for the Removal of Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory. . .
309
it can be considered a potential threat to aquatic organisms [41]. It is also suggested
that naproxen may induce genotoxicity [42].
The problems generated by the accumulation of NSAIDs and the effects they
cause on aquatic microorganisms, as well as their impact on humans, have been
considered in this report to address the most relevant examples of biological
technologies used in the elimination of NSAIDs.
11 NSAIDs Bioremediation
Biodegradation is the breakdown of a chemical substance in the elements that
compose it; it is achieved by the action of biological agents such as plants, animals,
and microorganisms, which use these elements in the metabolic processes required
in their vital activities [43].
Biological treatments of areas affected by emerging pollutants offer a less expensive and environmentally friendly alternative. Most microorganisms used in this
practice are capable of producing oxidoreductases enzymes that can degrade several
types of contaminants including NSAIDs [44].
Biodegradation models of emerging pollutants are necessary to evaluate, understand, and predict the main factors that influence the biodegradation of this type of
compounds in wastewater [45].
12 Biological Technologies for the Elimination
of Diclofenac
12.1 Microbial Consortium
The microbial consortium is a potential technique in the degradation of highly
polluting drugs for the environment, specifically for the elimination of NSAIDs [46].
The usefulness of this technology for the elimination of diclofenac has been
reported through the capacity of a microbial consortium composed of Alcaligenes
faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, and Proteus
mirabilis, to degrade different medications. A percentage of diclofenac degradation
of up to 89% has been observed over a period of 120 h at a concentration of 150 mg/
L. The maximum specific growth rate of the microorganisms was 0.096 mg/L/h. The
maximum specific biodegradation rate was 0.89 mg/L/h [46].
Residual metabolites predicted by spectroscopic analysis were also reported in
this study, including hydroxy-sodium diclofenac and acyl glucuronide. The presence
of these metabolic products suggests that the activity of the enzymes
monooxygenase and glucuronidase catalyzed the degradation reaction [46].
Biological Technologies Used for the Removal of Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory. . .
309