1
|
Poursat BAJ, Rempe F, Pereira J, Sutton NB, Ter Heijne A. Unravelling the mechanisms of organic micropollutant removal in bio-electrochemical systems: Insights into sorption, electrochemical degradation, and biodegradation processes. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 945:173932. [PMID: 38880133 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Bio-electrochemical systems (BESs) have recently been proposed as an efficient treatment technology to remove organic micropollutants from water treatment plants. In this study, we aimed to differentiate between sorption, electrochemical transport/degradation, and biodegradation. Using electro-active microorganisms and electrodes, we investigated organic micropollutant removal at environmentally relevant concentrations, clarifying the roles of sorption and electrochemical and biological degradation. The role of anodic biofilms on the removal of 10 relevant organic micropollutants was studied by performing separate sorption experiments on carbon-based electrodes (graphite felt, graphite rod, graphite granules, and granular activated carbon) and electrochemical degradation experiments at two different electrode potentials (-0.3 and 0 V). Granular activated carbon showed the highest sorption of micropollutants; applying a potential to graphite felt electrodes increased organic micropollutant removal. Removal efficiencies >80 % were obtained for all micropollutants at high anode potentials (+0.955 V), indicating that the studied compounds were more susceptible to oxidation than to reduction. All organic micropollutants showed removal when under bio-electrochemical conditions, ranging from low (e.g. metformin, 9.3 %) to exceptionally high removal efficiencies (e.g. sulfamethoxazole, 99.5 %). The lower removal observed under bio-electrochemical conditions when compared to only electrochemical conditions indicated that sorption to the electrode is key to guarantee high electrochemical degradation. The detection of transformation products of chloridazon and metformin indicated that (bio)-electrochemical degradation occurred. This study confirms that BES can treat some organic micropollutants through several mechanisms, which merits further investigation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Baptiste A J Poursat
- Environmental Technology, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 17, 6700 AA Wageningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Fleur Rempe
- Environmental Technology, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 17, 6700 AA Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - João Pereira
- Environmental Technology, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 17, 6700 AA Wageningen, the Netherlands; Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9, 8911 MA Leeuwarden, the Netherlands
| | - Nora B Sutton
- Environmental Technology, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 17, 6700 AA Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Annemiek Ter Heijne
- Environmental Technology, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 17, 6700 AA Wageningen, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Li T, Xu ZJ, Zhang ST, Xu J, Pan P, Zhou NY. Discovery of a Ni 2+-dependent heterohexameric metformin hydrolase. Nat Commun 2024; 15:6121. [PMID: 39033196 PMCID: PMC11271267 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50409-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The biguanide drug metformin is a first-line blood glucose-lowering medication for type 2 diabetes, leading to its presence in the global environment. However, little is known about the fate of metformin by microbial catabolism. Here, we characterize a Ni2+-dependent heterohexameric enzyme (MetCaCb) from the ureohydrolase superfamily, catalyzing the hydrolysis of metformin into guanylurea and dimethylamine. Either subunit alone is catalytically inactive, but together they work as an active enzyme highly specific for metformin. The crystal structure of the MetCaCb complex shows the coordination of the binuclear metal cluster only in MetCa, with MetCb as a protein binder of its active cognate. An in-silico search and functional assay discover a group of MetCaCb-like protein pairs exhibiting metformin hydrolase activity in the environment. Our findings not only establish the genetic and biochemical foundation for metformin catabolism but also provide additional insights into the adaption of the ancient enzymes toward newly occurred substrate.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 200240, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhi-Jing Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 200240, Shanghai, China
| | - Shu-Ting Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 200240, Shanghai, China
| | - Jia Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 200240, Shanghai, China
| | - Piaopiao Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 200240, Shanghai, China
| | - Ning-Yi Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 200240, Shanghai, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Baldasso V, Sayen S, Gomes CAR, Frunzo L, Almeida CMR, Guillon E. Metformin and lamotrigine sorption on a digestate amended soil in presence of trace metal contamination. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 466:133635. [PMID: 38306838 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.133635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
The antidiabetic drug metformin and antiepileptic drug lamotrigine are contaminants of emerging concern that have been detected in biowaste-derived amendments and in the environment, and their fate must be carefully studied. This work aimed to evaluate their sorption behaviour on soil upon digestate application. Experiments were conducted on soil and digestate-amended soil as a function of time to study kinetic processes, and at equilibrium also regarding the influence of trace metals (Pb, Ni, Cr, Co, Cu, Zn) at ratio pharmaceutical/metal 1/1, 1/10, and 1/100. Pharmaceutical desorption experiments were also conducted to assess their potential mobility to groundwater. Results revealed that digestate amendment increased metformin and lamotrigine adsorbed amounts by 210% and 240%, respectively, increasing organic matter content. Metformin adsorption kinetics were best described by Langmuir model and those of lamotrigine by Elovich and intraparticle diffusion models. Trace metals did not significantly affect the adsorption of metformin in amended soil while significantly decreased that of lamotrigine by 12-39%, with exception for Cu2+ that increased both pharmaceuticals adsorbed amounts by 5 - 8%. This study highlighted the influence of digestate amendment on pharmaceutical adsorption and fate in soil, which must be considered in the circular economy scenario of waste-to-resource.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Baldasso
- CIIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Portugal; Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; Molecular Chemistry Institute of Reims, ICMR UMR CNRS 7312, University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims, France.
| | - Stéphanie Sayen
- Molecular Chemistry Institute of Reims, ICMR UMR CNRS 7312, University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims, France.
| | - Carlos A R Gomes
- CIIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Portugal; Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Luigi Frunzo
- Department of Mathematics and Applications Renato Caccioppoli, University of Naples Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - C Marisa R Almeida
- CIIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Portugal; Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Emmanuel Guillon
- Molecular Chemistry Institute of Reims, ICMR UMR CNRS 7312, University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims, France
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Amjad M, Mohyuddin A, Ulfat W, Goh HH, Dzarfan Othman MH, Kurniawan TA. UV-blocking and photocatalytic properties of Ag-coated cotton fabrics with Si binders for photo-degradation of recalcitrant dyes in aqueous solutions under sunlight. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 353:120287. [PMID: 38335595 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Textile wastewater laden with dyes has emerged as a source of water pollution. This possesses a challenge in its effective treatment using a single functional material. In respond to this technological constraint, this work presents multifunctional cotton fabrics (CFs) within a single, streamlined preparation process. This approach utilizes the adherence of Ag NPs (nanoparticles) using Si binder on the surface of CFs, resulting in Ag-coated CFs through a pad dry method. The prepared samples were characterized using scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive X-ray electroscopy (SEM-EDS), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transformation infrared (FT-IR). It was found that the FT-IR spectra of Ag NPs-coated CFs had peaks appear at 3400, 2900, and 1200 cm-1, implying the stretching vibrations of O-H, C-H, and C-O, respectively. Based on the EDX analysis, the presence of C, O, and Ag related to the coated CFs were detected. After coating the CFs with varying concentrations of Ag NPs (1%, 2% and 3% (w/w)), they were used to remove dyes. Under the same concentration of 10 mg/L and optimized pH 7.5 and 2 h of reaction time, 3% (w/w) Ag-coated CFs exhibited a substantial MB degradation of 98 %, while removing 95% of methyl orange, 85% of rhodamine B, and 96% of Congo red, respectively, following 2 h of Vis exposure. Ag NPs had a strong absorption at 420 nm with 2.51 eV of energy band gap. Under UV irradiation, electrons excited and produced free radicals that promoted dyes photodegradation. The oxidation by-products included p-dihydroxybenzene and succinic acid. Spent Ag-coated CFs attained 98% of regeneration efficiency. The utilization of Ag-coated CFs as a photocatalyst facilitated treated effluents to meet the required discharge standard of lower than 1 mg/L mandated by national legislation. The integration of multifunctional CFs in the treatment system presents a new option for tackling water pollution due to dyes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Amjad
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Ayesha Mohyuddin
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan.
| | - Wajad Ulfat
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Hui Hwang Goh
- School of Electrical Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Mohd Hafiz Dzarfan Othman
- Advanced Membrane Technology Research Centre (AMTEC), Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), 81310, Skudai, Johor Bahru, Malaysia
| | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Elizalde-Velázquez GA, Herrera-Vázquez SE, Gómez-Oliván LM, García-Medina S. Health impact assessment after Danio rerio long-term exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of metformin and guanylurea. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 341:140070. [PMID: 37689151 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023]
Abstract
The antidiabetic drug metformin (MET) and its metabolite guanylurea (GUA) have been frequently and ubiquitously detected in surface water. Consequently, there has been a consistent rise in studying the toxicity of MET and GUA in fish over the past decade. Nonetheless, it is noteworthy that no study has assessed the harmful effects both compounds might trigger on fish blood and organs after chronic exposure. Taking into consideration the data above, our research strived to accomplish two primary objectives: Firstly, to assess the effect of comparable concentrations of MET and GUA (1, 40, 100 μg/L) on the liver, gills, gut, and brain of Danio rerio after six months of flow-through exposure. Secondly, to compare the outcomes to identify which compound prompts more significant oxidative stress and apoptosis in organs and blood parameter alterations. Herein, findings indicate that both compounds induced oxidative damage and increased the expression of genes associated with apoptosis (bax, bcl2, p53, and casp3). Chronic exposure to MET and GUA also generated fluctuations in glucose, creatinine, phosphorus, liver enzymes, red and white blood count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit levels. The observed biochemical changes indicate that MET and GUA are responsible for inducing hepatic damage in fish, whereas hematological alterations suggest that both compounds cause anemia. Considering GUA altered to a more considerable extent the values of all endpoints compared to the control group, it is suggested transformation product GUA is more toxic than MET. Moreover, based on the above evidence, it can be inferred that a six-month exposure to MET and GUA can impair REDOX status and generate apoptosis in fish, adversely affecting their essential organs' functioning.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Axel Elizalde-Velázquez
- Laboratorio de Toxicología Ambiental, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma Del Estado de México. Paseo Colón Intersección Paseo Tollocan, Colonia Residencial Colón, CP 50120, Toluca, Estado de México, Mexico
| | - Selene Elizabeth Herrera-Vázquez
- Laboratorio de Toxicología Ambiental, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma Del Estado de México. Paseo Colón Intersección Paseo Tollocan, Colonia Residencial Colón, CP 50120, Toluca, Estado de México, Mexico
| | - Leobardo Manuel Gómez-Oliván
- Laboratorio de Toxicología Ambiental, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma Del Estado de México. Paseo Colón Intersección Paseo Tollocan, Colonia Residencial Colón, CP 50120, Toluca, Estado de México, Mexico. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7248-3449
| | - Sandra García-Medina
- Laboratorio de Toxicología Acuática, Departamento de Farmacia, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional. Unidad Profesional Adolfo López Mateos, Av. Wilfrido Massieu S/n y Cerrada Manuel Stampa, Col. Industrial Vallejo, Ciudad de México, CP, 07700, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Li T, Xu ZJ, Zhou NY. Aerobic Degradation of the Antidiabetic Drug Metformin by Aminobacter sp. Strain NyZ550. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:1510-1519. [PMID: 36624085 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c07669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Metformin is becoming one of the most common emerging contaminants in surface and wastewater. Its biodegradation generally leads to the accumulation of guanylurea in the environment, but the microorganisms and mechanisms involved in this process remain elusive. Here, Aminobacter sp. strain NyZ550 was isolated and characterized for its ability to grow on metformin as a sole source of carbon, nitrogen, and energy under oxic conditions. This isolate also assimilated a variety of nitrogenous compounds, including dimethylamine. Hydrolysis of metformin by strain NyZ550 was accompanied by a stoichiometric accumulation of guanylurea as a dead-end product. Based on ion chromatography, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and comparative transcriptomic analyses, dimethylamine was identified as an additional hydrolytic product supporting the growth of the strain. Notably, a microbial mixture consisting of strain NyZ550 and an engineered Pseudomonas putida PaW340 expressing a guanylurea hydrolase was constructed for complete elimination of metformin and its persistent product guanylurea. Overall, our results not only provide new insights into the metformin biodegradation pathway, leading to the commonly observed accumulation of guanylurea in the environment, but also open doors for the complete degradation of the new pollutant metformin.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 200240 Shanghai, China
| | - Zhi-Jing Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 200240 Shanghai, China
| | - Ning-Yi Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 200240 Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Martinez-Vaz BM, Dodge AG, Lucero RM, Stockbridge RB, Robinson AA, Tassoulas LJ, Wackett LP. Wastewater bacteria remediating the pharmaceutical metformin: Genomes, plasmids and products. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:1086261. [PMID: 36588930 PMCID: PMC9800807 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.1086261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Metformin is used globally to treat type II diabetes, has demonstrated anti-ageing and COVID mitigation effects and is a major anthropogenic pollutant to be bioremediated by wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Metformin is not adsorbed well by activated carbon and toxic N-chloro derivatives can form in chlorinated water. Most earlier studies on metformin biodegradation have used wastewater consortia and details of the genomes, relevant genes, metabolic products, and potential for horizontal gene transfer are lacking. Here, two metformin-biodegrading bacteria from a WWTP were isolated and their biodegradation characterized. Aminobacter sp. MET metabolized metformin stoichiometrically to guanylurea, an intermediate known to accumulate in some environments including WWTPs. Pseudomonas mendocina MET completely metabolized metformin and utilized all the nitrogen atoms for growth. Pseudomonas mendocina MET also metabolized metformin breakdown products sometimes observed in WWTPs: 1-N-methylbiguanide, biguanide, guanylurea, and guanidine. The genome of each bacterium was obtained. Genes involved in the transport of guanylurea in Aminobacter sp. MET were expressed heterologously and shown to serve as an antiporter to expel the toxic guanidinium compound. A novel guanylurea hydrolase enzyme was identified in Pseudomonas mendocina MET, purified, and characterized. The Aminobacter and Pseudomonas each contained one plasmid of 160 kb and 90 kb, respectively. In total, these studies are significant for the bioremediation of a major pollutant in WWTPs today.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Betsy M. Martinez-Vaz
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry Program, Hamline University, St. Paul, MN, United States
| | - Anthony G. Dodge
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics and BioTechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, United States
| | - Rachael M. Lucero
- Program in Chemical Biology and Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Randy B. Stockbridge
- Program in Chemical Biology and Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Ashley A. Robinson
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry Program, Hamline University, St. Paul, MN, United States
| | - Lambros J. Tassoulas
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics and BioTechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, United States
| | - Lawrence P. Wackett
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics and BioTechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, United States
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Elizalde-Velázquez GA, Gómez-Oliván LM, García-Medina S, Hernández-Díaz M, Islas-Flores H, Galar-Martínez M, García-Medina AL, Chanona-Pérez JJ, Hernández-Varela JD. Polystyrene microplastics mitigate the embryotoxic damage of metformin and guanylurea in Danio rerio. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 852:158503. [PMID: 36058320 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) alone may endanger the health and fitness of aquatic species through different mechanisms. However, the harmful effects of these when mixed with other emerging contaminants require additional research. Herein, we aimed to determine whether a mixture of MPs with metformin (MET) or guanylurea (GUA) might induce embryotoxicity and oxidative stress in Danio rerio. Upon exposure to mixtures, our results showed MPs reduced the mortality rate of MET and GUA in embryos. Moreover, the severity and the rate of malformations were also decreased in all mixtures with MPs. Concerning oxidative stress, our findings indicated MET, GUA, MPs, and the mixtures increased the levels of lipoperoxidation, hydroperoxide content, and protein carbonyl content in D. rerio larvae. However, the oxidative damage induced in all mixtures was lower than that produced by both drugs alone. Thus, it is likely that the accumulation of MPs avoided the entrance of MET and GUA into the embryos. Once the embryo hatched, MPs did only remain accumulated in the yolk sac of larvae and did not translocate to other organs. Our risk assessment analysis confirmed that MPs shrunk the damage produced by MET and GUA. In a nutshell, MPs mitigate the embryotoxic damage of metformin and guanylurea in D. rerio by blocking their entrance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Axel Elizalde-Velázquez
- Laboratorio de Toxicología Ambiental, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Paseo Colón intersección Paseo Tollocan, Colonia Residencial Colón, CP 50120 Toluca, Estado de México, Mexico
| | - Leobardo Manuel Gómez-Oliván
- Laboratorio de Toxicología Ambiental, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Paseo Colón intersección Paseo Tollocan, Colonia Residencial Colón, CP 50120 Toluca, Estado de México, Mexico.
| | - Sandra García-Medina
- Laboratorio de Toxicología Acuática, Departamento de Farmacia, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Unidad Profesional Adolfo López Mateos, Av. Wilfrido Massieu s/n y cerrada Manuel Stampa, Col. Industrial Vallejo, Ciudad de México CP 07700, Mexico
| | - Misael Hernández-Díaz
- Laboratorio de Toxicología Acuática, Departamento de Farmacia, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Unidad Profesional Adolfo López Mateos, Av. Wilfrido Massieu s/n y cerrada Manuel Stampa, Col. Industrial Vallejo, Ciudad de México CP 07700, Mexico
| | - Hariz Islas-Flores
- Laboratorio de Toxicología Ambiental, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Paseo Colón intersección Paseo Tollocan, Colonia Residencial Colón, CP 50120 Toluca, Estado de México, Mexico
| | - Marcela Galar-Martínez
- Laboratorio de Toxicología Acuática, Departamento de Farmacia, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Unidad Profesional Adolfo López Mateos, Av. Wilfrido Massieu s/n y cerrada Manuel Stampa, Col. Industrial Vallejo, Ciudad de México CP 07700, Mexico
| | - Alba Lucero García-Medina
- Laboratorio de Toxicología Acuática, Departamento de Farmacia, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Unidad Profesional Adolfo López Mateos, Av. Wilfrido Massieu s/n y cerrada Manuel Stampa, Col. Industrial Vallejo, Ciudad de México CP 07700, Mexico
| | - José Jorge Chanona-Pérez
- Departamento de Ingeniería Bioquímica, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Unidad Profesional Adolfo López Mateos, Av. Wilfrido Massieu s/n y cerrada Manuel Stampa, Col. Industrial Vallejo, Ciudad de México CP 07700, Mexico
| | - Josué David Hernández-Varela
- Departamento de Ingeniería Bioquímica, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Unidad Profesional Adolfo López Mateos, Av. Wilfrido Massieu s/n y cerrada Manuel Stampa, Col. Industrial Vallejo, Ciudad de México CP 07700, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
He Y, Zhang Y, Ju F. Metformin Contamination in Global Waters: Biotic and Abiotic Transformation, Byproduct Generation and Toxicity, and Evaluation as a Pharmaceutical Indicator. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:13528-13545. [PMID: 36107956 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c02495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Metformin is the first-line antidiabetic drug and one of the most prescribed medications worldwide. Because of its ubiquitous occurrence in global waters and demonstrated ecotoxicity, metformin, as with other pharmaceuticals, has become a concerning emerging contaminant. Metformin is subject to transformation, producing numerous problematic transformation byproducts (TPs). The occurrence, removal, and toxicity of metformin have been continually reviewed; yet, a comprehensive analysis of its transformation pathways, byproduct generation, and the associated change in adverse effects is lacking. In this review, we provide a critical overview of the transformation fate of metformin during water treatments and natural processes and compile the 32 organic TPs generated from biotic and abiotic pathways. These TPs occur in aquatic systems worldwide along with metformin. Enhanced toxicity of several TPs compared to metformin has been demonstrated through organism tests and necessitates the development of complete mineralization techniques for metformin and more attention on TP monitoring. We also assess the potential of metformin to indicate overall contamination of pharmaceuticals in aquatic environments, and compared to the previously acknowledged ones, metformin is found to be a more robust or comparable indicator of such overall pharmaceutical contamination. In addition, we provide insightful avenues for future research on metformin.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuanzhen He
- Key Laboratory of Coastal Environment and Resources of Zhejiang Province, School of Engineering, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310024, China
- Institute of Advanced Technology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, 310024, China
| | - Yanyan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Coastal Environment and Resources of Zhejiang Province, School of Engineering, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310024, China
- Institute of Advanced Technology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, 310024, China
| | - Feng Ju
- Key Laboratory of Coastal Environment and Resources of Zhejiang Province, School of Engineering, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310024, China
- Institute of Advanced Technology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, 310024, China
- Research Center for Industries of the Future (RCIF), School of Engineering, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310030, China
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, 310024, Hangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Elizalde-Velázquez GA, Gómez-Oliván LM, Islas-Flores H, Hernández-Navarro MD, García-Medina S, Galar-Martínez M. Oxidative stress as a potential mechanism by which guanylurea disrupts the embryogenesis of Danio rerio. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 799:149432. [PMID: 34365262 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Metformin is one the most prescribed drug to treat type 2 diabetes. In wastewater treatment plants, this drug is bacterially transformed to guanylurea, which occurs at higher concentrations in the aquatic environments than its parent compound. Since there is a huge knowledge gap about the toxicity of this metabolite on aquatic organisms, we aimed to investigate the impact of guanylurea on the embryonic development and oxidative stress biomarkers of zebrafish (Danio rerio). For this effect, zebrafish embryos (4 h post fertilization) were exposed to 25, 50, 100, 200, 250, 25,000, 50,000, 75,000 μg/L guanylurea until 96 h post fertilization. Guanylurea led to a significant delay in the hatching process in all exposure groups. Furthermore, this transformation product affected the embryonic development of fish, inducing severe body alterations and consequently leading to their death. The most pronounced malformations were malformation of tail, scoliosis, pericardial edema, yolk deformation and craniofacial malformation. Concerning oxidative stress response, we demonstrated that guanylurea induced the antioxidant activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase in zebrafish embryos. In addition, the levels of lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyl and hydroperoxide content were also increased in the embryos exposed to this transformation product. However, the integrated biomarker response (IBR) analysis carried out in this study demonstrated that oxidative damage biomarkers got more influence over the embryos than antioxidant enzymes. Thus, we can conclude that guanylurea induces oxidative stress in zebrafish embryos, and that this transformation product impair the normal development of this freshwater organism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Axel Elizalde-Velázquez
- Laboratorio de Toxicología Ambiental, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Paseo Colón intersección Paseo Tollocan, Colonia Residencial Colón, CP 50120 Toluca, Estado de México, Mexico
| | - Leobardo Manuel Gómez-Oliván
- Laboratorio de Toxicología Ambiental, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Paseo Colón intersección Paseo Tollocan, Colonia Residencial Colón, CP 50120 Toluca, Estado de México, Mexico.
| | - Hariz Islas-Flores
- Laboratorio de Toxicología Ambiental, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Paseo Colón intersección Paseo Tollocan, Colonia Residencial Colón, CP 50120 Toluca, Estado de México, Mexico
| | - María Dolores Hernández-Navarro
- Laboratorio de Toxicología Ambiental, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Paseo Colón intersección Paseo Tollocan, Colonia Residencial Colón, CP 50120 Toluca, Estado de México, Mexico
| | - Sandra García-Medina
- Laboratorio de Toxicología Acuática, Departamento de Farmacia, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Unidad Profesional Adolfo López Mateos, Av. Wilfrido Massieu s/n y cerrada Manuel Stampa, Col. Industrial Vallejo, Ciudad de México CP 07700, Mexico
| | - Marcela Galar-Martínez
- Laboratorio de Toxicología Ambiental, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Paseo Colón intersección Paseo Tollocan, Colonia Residencial Colón, CP 50120 Toluca, Estado de México, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Zdarta A, Smułek W, Bielan Z, Zdarta J, Nguyen LN, Zgoła-Grześkowiak A, Nghiem LD, Jesionowski T, Kaczorek E. Significance of the presence of antibiotics on the microbial consortium in wastewater - The case of nitrofurantoin and furazolidone. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2021; 339:125577. [PMID: 34304095 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2021.125577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 07/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Antibiotics in wastewater leads to migration of pollutants and disrupts natural processes of mineralization of organic matter. In order to understand the mechanism of this, research was undertaken on the influence of nitrofurantoin (NFT) and furazolidone (FZD), on the behaviour of a consortium of microorganisms present in a model wastewater in a bioreactor. Our study confirmed biodegradation of the antibiotics by the microbial consortium, with the degradation efficiency within 10 days of 65% for FZD, but only 20% for NFT. The kinetic study proved that the presence of analysed antibiotics had no adverse effect on the microbes, but the consortium behaviour differ significantly with the NFT reducing the consumption of organic carbon in wastewater and increasing the production of extracellular biopolymeric and volatile organic compounds, and the FZD reducing assimilation of other carbon sources to a less extent, at the expense of cellular focus on biodegradation of this antibiotic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Agata Zdarta
- Institute of Chemical Technology and Engineering, Faculty of Chemical Technology, Poznan University of Technology, Berdychowo 4, 60-965 Poznan, Poland
| | - Wojciech Smułek
- Institute of Chemical Technology and Engineering, Faculty of Chemical Technology, Poznan University of Technology, Berdychowo 4, 60-965 Poznan, Poland
| | - Zuzanna Bielan
- Department of Chemical Technology, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdansk University of Technology, G. Narutowicza 11/12, 80-233 Gdansk, Poland; Centre for Plasma and Laser Engineering, The Szewalski Institute of Fluid-Flow Machinery, Polish Academy of Science, Fiszera 14, 80-231 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Jakub Zdarta
- Institute of Chemical Technology and Engineering, Faculty of Chemical Technology, Poznan University of Technology, Berdychowo 4, 60-965 Poznan, Poland
| | - Luong N Nguyen
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, University of Technology Sydney, 81-113 Broadway, Ultimo NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Agnieszka Zgoła-Grześkowiak
- Institute of Chemistry and Technical Electrochemistry, Poznan University of Technology, Berdychowo 4, 60-965 Poznan, Poland
| | - Long D Nghiem
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, University of Technology Sydney, 81-113 Broadway, Ultimo NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Teofil Jesionowski
- Institute of Chemical Technology and Engineering, Faculty of Chemical Technology, Poznan University of Technology, Berdychowo 4, 60-965 Poznan, Poland
| | - Ewa Kaczorek
- Institute of Chemical Technology and Engineering, Faculty of Chemical Technology, Poznan University of Technology, Berdychowo 4, 60-965 Poznan, Poland.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Tassoulas LJ, Robinson A, Martinez-Vaz B, Aukema KG, Wackett LP. Filling in the Gaps in Metformin Biodegradation: a New Enzyme and a Metabolic Pathway for Guanylurea. Appl Environ Microbiol 2021; 87:e03003-20. [PMID: 33741630 PMCID: PMC8208167 DOI: 10.1128/aem.03003-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The widely prescribed pharmaceutical metformin and its main metabolite, guanylurea, are currently two of the most common contaminants in surface and wastewater. Guanylurea often accumulates and is poorly, if at all, biodegraded in wastewater treatment plants. This study describes Pseudomonas mendocina strain GU, isolated from a municipal wastewater treatment plant, using guanylurea as its sole nitrogen source. The genome was sequenced with 36-fold coverage and mined to identify guanylurea degradation genes. The gene encoding the enzyme initiating guanylurea metabolism was expressed, and the enzyme was purified and characterized. Guanylurea hydrolase, a newly described enzyme, was shown to transform guanylurea to one equivalent (each) of ammonia and guanidine. Guanidine also supports growth as a sole nitrogen source. Cell yields from growth on limiting concentrations of guanylurea revealed that metabolism releases all four nitrogen atoms. Genes encoding complete metabolic transformation were identified bioinformatically, defining the pathway as follows: guanylurea to guanidine to carboxyguanidine to allophanate to ammonia and carbon dioxide. The first enzyme, guanylurea hydrolase, is a member of the isochorismatase-like hydrolase protein family, which includes biuret hydrolase and triuret hydrolase. Although homologs, the three enzymes show distinct substrate specificities. Pairwise sequence comparisons and the use of sequence similarity networks allowed fine structure discrimination between the three homologous enzymes and provided insights into the evolutionary origins of guanylurea hydrolase.IMPORTANCE Metformin is a pharmaceutical most prescribed for type 2 diabetes and is now being examined for potential benefits to COVID-19 patients. People taking the drug pass it largely unchanged, and it subsequently enters wastewater treatment plants. Metformin has been known to be metabolized to guanylurea. The levels of guanylurea often exceed that of metformin, leading to the former being considered a "dead-end" metabolite. Metformin and guanylurea are water pollutants of emerging concern, as they persist to reach nontarget aquatic life and humans, the latter if it remains in treated water. The present study has identified a Pseudomonas mendocina strain that completely degrades guanylurea. The genome was sequenced, and the genes involved in guanylurea metabolism were identified in three widely separated genomic regions. This knowledge advances the idea that guanylurea is not a dead-end product and will allow for bioinformatic identification of the relevant genes in wastewater treatment plant microbiomes and other environments subjected to metagenomic sequencing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lambros J Tassoulas
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Ashley Robinson
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Betsy Martinez-Vaz
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Kelly G Aukema
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Lawrence P Wackett
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Hou R, Wang Y, Zhou S, Zhou L, Yuan Y, Xu Y. Aerobic degradation of nonhalogenated organophosphate flame esters (OPEs) by enriched cultures from sludge: Kinetics, pathways, bacterial community evolution, and toxicity evaluation. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 760:143385. [PMID: 33243516 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 10/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The degradation by bacteria has been considered the main process for eliminating nonhalogenated organophosphate esters (OPEs) from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), but limited research has reported the biodegradation processes and clarified the microbial-mediated mechanisms for nonhalogenated OPE degradation in WWTPs. The aim of this study was to monitor the biodegradation of the most common nonhalogenated OPEs, namely, tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate (TBOEP), tris (n-butyl) phosphate (TNBP) and trisphenyl phosphate (TPHP), under aerobic conditions by sludge cultures from a conventional sewage plant. The microbial cultures were enriched separately with each OPE from activated sludge cultures, and the presence of glucose significantly enhanced degradation of the OPEs during the enrichment. The removal ratios for the three OPEs reached 29.3-89.9% after 5 cycles (25 days) of cultivation, and the first-order degradation kinetics followed the order of TPHP > TBOEP > TNBP, with their half-lives ranging between 12.8 and 99.0 h. Pathways of hydrolysis, hydroxylation, methoxylation, and substitution were confirmed for the aerobic biodegradation of these nonhalogenated OPEs, but only di-alkyl phosphates (DAPs) largely accumulated in culture medium as the most predominant transformation products. Phylotypes in Klebsiella were significantly more abundant during OPE biodegradation than in the initial sludge, which indicated that these microorganisms are associated with the biodegradation of nonhalogenated OPEs in sludge culture. Biodegradation of all investigated nonhalogenated OPEs was associated with a significant reduction in the residual toxicity to Vibrio fischeri, indicating a rather positive ecotoxicological outcome of the aerobic biotransformation processes achieved by the enriched sludge culture.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rui Hou
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China; Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China
| | - Yi Wang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Shaofeng Zhou
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Lihua Zhou
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Yong Yuan
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Yiping Xu
- Key Laboratory of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Di Marcantonio C, Bertelkamp C, van Bel N, Pronk TE, Timmers PHA, van der Wielen P, Brunner AM. Organic micropollutant removal in full-scale rapid sand filters used for drinking water treatment in The Netherlands and Belgium. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 260:127630. [PMID: 32758778 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.127630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 07/05/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Biological treatment processes have the potential to remove organic micropollutants (OMPs) during water treatment. The OMP removal capacity of conventional drinking water treatment processes such as rapid sand filters (RSFs), however, has not been studied in detail. We investigated OMP removal and transformation product (TP) formation in seven full-scale RSFs all treating surface water, using high-resolution mass spectrometry based quantitative suspect and non-target screening (NTS). Additionally, we studied the microbial communities with 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing (NGS) in both influent and effluent waters as well as the filter medium, and integrated these data to comprehensively assess the processes that affect OMP removal. In the RSF influent, 9 to 30 of the 127 target OMPs were detected. The removal efficiencies ranged from 0 to 93%. A data-driven workflow was established to monitor TPs, based on the combination of NTS feature intensity profiles between influent and effluent samples and the prediction of biotic TPs. The workflow identified 10 TPs, including molecular structure. Microbial community composition analysis showed similar community composition in the influent and effluent of most RSFs, but different from the filter medium, implying that specific microorganisms proliferate in the RSFs. Some of these are able to perform typical processes in water treatment such as nitrification and iron oxidation. However, there was no clear relationship between OMP removal efficiency and microbial community composition. The innovative combination of quantitative analyses, NTS and NGS allowed to characterize real scale biological water treatments, emphasizing the potential of bio-stimulation applications in drinking water treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Di Marcantonio
- Sapienza University of Rome, Department of Civil, Constructional and Environmental Engineering (DICEA), Rome, Italy
| | - Cheryl Bertelkamp
- KWR Water Research Institute, P.O. Box 1072, 3430, BB, Nieuwegein, the Netherlands
| | - Nikki van Bel
- KWR Water Research Institute, P.O. Box 1072, 3430, BB, Nieuwegein, the Netherlands
| | - Tessa E Pronk
- KWR Water Research Institute, P.O. Box 1072, 3430, BB, Nieuwegein, the Netherlands
| | - Peer H A Timmers
- KWR Water Research Institute, P.O. Box 1072, 3430, BB, Nieuwegein, the Netherlands
| | - Paul van der Wielen
- KWR Water Research Institute, P.O. Box 1072, 3430, BB, Nieuwegein, the Netherlands; Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University & Research, Stippeneng 4, 6708WE, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Andrea M Brunner
- KWR Water Research Institute, P.O. Box 1072, 3430, BB, Nieuwegein, the Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Piai L, Blokland M, van der Wal A, Langenhoff A. Biodegradation and adsorption of micropollutants by biological activated carbon from a drinking water production plant. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2020; 388:122028. [PMID: 31955023 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.122028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Revised: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/04/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The presence of micropollutants in surface water is a potential threat for the production of high quality and safe drinking water. Adsorption of micropollutants onto granular activated carbon (GAC) in fixed-bed filters is often applied as a polishing step in the production of drinking water. Activated carbon can act as a carrier material for biofilm, hence biodegradation can be an additional removal mechanism for micropollutants in GAC filters. To assess the potential of biofilm to biodegrade micropollutants, it is necessary to distinguish adsorption from biodegradation as a removal mechanism. We performed experiments at 5 °C and 20 °C with biologically active and autoclaved GAC to assess the biodegradation of micropollutants by the biofilm grown on the GAC surface. Ten micropollutants were selected as model compounds. Three of them, iopromide, iopamidol and metformin, were biodegraded by the GAC biofilm. Additionally, we observed that temperature can increase or decrease adsorption, depending on the micropollutant studied. Finally, we compared the adsorption capacity of GAC used for more than 100,000 bed volumes and fresh GAC. We demonstrated that used GAC shows a higher adsorption capacity for guanylurea, metformin and hexamethylenetetramine and only a limited reduction in adsorption capacity for diclofenac and benzotriazole compared to fresh GAC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Piai
- Environmental Technology, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 17, 6700 AA Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Marco Blokland
- Wageningen Food Safety Research - Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 230, 6708 WB, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Albert van der Wal
- Environmental Technology, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 17, 6700 AA Wageningen, the Netherlands; Evides Water Company, PO Box 4472, 3006 AL, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Alette Langenhoff
- Environmental Technology, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 17, 6700 AA Wageningen, the Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Elizalde-Velázquez GA, Gómez-Oliván LM. Occurrence, toxic effects and removal of metformin in the aquatic environments in the world: Recent trends and perspectives. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 702:134924. [PMID: 31726346 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.134924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2019] [Revised: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Metformin (MET) is the most common drug used to treat type 2 diabetes, but also it is used as an anticancer agent and as a treatment for polycystic ovary syndrome. This drug is not metabolized in the human body, and may enter into the environment through different pathways. In wastewater treatments plants (WWTPs), this contaminant is mainly transformed to guanylurea (GUA). However, three further transformation products (TPs): (a) 2,4- diamino-1,3,5-triazine, 4-DAT; (b) 2-amino-4-methylamino-1,3,5-triazine, 2,4-AMT; and (c) methylbiguanide, MBG; have also been associated with its metabolism. MET, GUA and MBG have been found in WWTPs influents, effluents and surface waters. Furthermore, MET and GUA bioaccumulate in edible plants species, fish and mussels potentially contaminating the human food web. MET is also a potential endocrine disruptor in fish. Phytoremediation, adsorption and biodegradation have shown a high removal efficiency of MET, in laboratory. Nonetheless, these removal methods had less efficiency when tried in WWTPs. Therefore, MET and its TPs are a threat to the human being as well as to our environment. This review comprehensively discuss the (1) pathways of MET to the environment and its life-cycle, (2) occurrence of MET and its transformation products (3) removal, (4) toxic effects and (5) future trends and perspectives of possible methods of elimination in water in order to provide potential options for managing these contaminants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Axel Elizalde-Velázquez
- Laboratorio de Toxicología Ambiental, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Paseo Colón intersección Paseo Tollocan s/n, Col. Residencial Colón, 50120 Toluca, Estado de México, Mexico
| | - Leobardo Manuel Gómez-Oliván
- Laboratorio de Toxicología Ambiental, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Paseo Colón intersección Paseo Tollocan s/n, Col. Residencial Colón, 50120 Toluca, Estado de México, Mexico.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Poursat BAJ, van Spanning RJM, Braster M, Helmus R, de Voogt P, Parsons JR. Biodegradation of metformin and its transformation product, guanylurea, by natural and exposed microbial communities. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2019; 182:109414. [PMID: 31301597 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2019.109414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2019] [Revised: 06/27/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Metformin (MET) is a pharmaceutical product mostly biotransformed in the environment to a transformation product, guanylurea (GUA). In ready biodegradability tests (RBTs), however, contrasting results have been observed for metformin. The objective of this study was to measure the biodegradation of MET and GUA in RBTs, using activated sludge from the local wastewater treatment plant, either directly or after pre-exposure to MET, in a chemostat. The activated sludge community was cultivated in chemostats, in presence or absence of MET, for a period of nine months, and was used in RBT after one, three and nine months. The results of this study showed that the original activated sludge was able to completely remove MET (15 mg/l) and the newly produced GUA (50% of C0MET) under the test conditions. Inoculation of the chemostat led to a rapid shift in the community composition and abundance. The community exposed to 1.5 mg/l of MET was still able to completely consume MET in the RBTs after one-month exposure, but three- and nine-months exposure resulted in reduced removal of MET in the RBTs. The ability of the activated sludge community to degrade MET and GUA is the result of environmental exposure to these chemicals as well as of conditions that could not be reproduced in the laboratory system. A MET-degrading strain belonging to the genus Aminobacter has been isolated from the chemostat community. This strain was able to completely consume 15 mg/l of MET within three days in the test. However, community analysis revealed that the fluctuation in relative abundance of this genus (<1%) could not be correlated to the fluctuation in biodegradation capacity of the chemostat community.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Baptiste A J Poursat
- Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098, XH Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Vrije Universteit, de Boelelaan 1108, 1081, HZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Rob J M van Spanning
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Vrije Universteit, de Boelelaan 1108, 1081, HZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Martin Braster
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Vrije Universteit, de Boelelaan 1108, 1081, HZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Rick Helmus
- Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098, XH Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Pim de Voogt
- Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098, XH Amsterdam, the Netherlands; KWR Watercycle Research Institute, Nieuwegein, the Netherlands
| | - John R Parsons
- Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098, XH Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Janka E, Carvajal D, Wang S, Bakke R, Dinamarca C. Treatment of Metformin-Containing Wastewater by a Hybrid Vertical Anaerobic Biofilm-Reactor (HyVAB). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16214125. [PMID: 31717723 PMCID: PMC6862671 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16214125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2019] [Revised: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Several series of batch and continuous experiments were performed to investigate the removal of metformin and other contaminants from two wastewaters: wastewater I (WWI) containing 4 mg/L metformin and wastewater II (WWII) containing 110 g/L butanol. Biomethane potential (BMP) tests on WWII showed 77% of total chemical oxygen demand (tCOD = 110 g/L) degradability, and no apparent inhibition effects were observed. BMP tests on WWI showed an apparent inhibitory effect reflected in lower biogas production with increasing metformin concentration in the wastewater. Continuous flow hybrid vertical anaerobic biofilm (HyVAB®) experiments were consistent with the batch test findings. It was necessary to co-digest WWI (metformin) with WWII (easily degradable organics) to achieve complete metformin removal. After a period of adaptation, WWI and WWII co-digestion achieved up to 98% tCOD removal and 100% metformin removal. Most of the contaminants were removed in the anaerobic section of the HyVAB®, which implies that higher chemical oxygen demand (COD) loads than tested here are possible, given some optimization. The pilot reactor was able to manage organic loads of 11 g COD/d and above 10 mg/L metformin with a removal of 98% and 100% for tCOD and metformin, respectively.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eshetu Janka
- Department of Process, Energy and Environmental Technology, University of South-Eastern Norway, 3918 Porsgrunn, Norway; (E.J.); (D.C.); (R.B.)
| | - Diego Carvajal
- Department of Process, Energy and Environmental Technology, University of South-Eastern Norway, 3918 Porsgrunn, Norway; (E.J.); (D.C.); (R.B.)
| | - Shuai Wang
- Biowater Technology AS, Rambergvn 1, 3115 Tønsberg, Norway;
| | - Rune Bakke
- Department of Process, Energy and Environmental Technology, University of South-Eastern Norway, 3918 Porsgrunn, Norway; (E.J.); (D.C.); (R.B.)
| | - Carlos Dinamarca
- Department of Process, Energy and Environmental Technology, University of South-Eastern Norway, 3918 Porsgrunn, Norway; (E.J.); (D.C.); (R.B.)
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Briones RM, Sarmah AK. Modelling degradation kinetics of metformin and guanylurea in soil microcosms to derive degradation end-points. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 245:735-745. [PMID: 30500753 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.11.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2018] [Revised: 10/30/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The degradation of metformin (MET) and guanylurea (GUA) fortified separately in freshly collected two top soils (0-10 cm) from New Zealand's pastoral region was studied under controlled laboratory conditions. Incubation studies were carried at 30 °C under aerobic conditions at 60% of maximum water holding capacity and at two (0.5 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg) nominal soil concentrations. Degradation profiles revealed a bi-phasic pattern of both the compounds with an initial rapid degradation followed by slow dissipation rate, resulting in poor fits by simple first order kinetics. However, the use of three non-linear mathematical models sufficiently described the measured data and well supported by an array of statistical indices to judge model's ability to fit the measured datasets. Further evaluation using box-whisker plots showed that double first-order in parallel (DFOP) and first-order two-compartment (FOTC) models best fitted the data points followed by the Bi-exponential (BEXP) model. Mechanistic assumptions from DFOP and FOTC suggest that degradation of MET and GUA proceeds at two different rates, possibly in two compartments. The calculated DT50 using both models were in the range of 2.7-15.5 days and 0.9-4 days, while 90% dissipation time (DT90) varied between 91 and 123 days and 44 and 137 days for MET and GUA, respectively. Degradation of both compounds were dependent on soil types and properties, incubation conditions and initial substrate concentration. Formation of GUA with decrease in MET concentration over time confirmed that GUA is a transformation product concomitantly formed from aerobic degradation of MET in soil.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rowena M Briones
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand
| | - Ajit K Sarmah
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand.
| |
Collapse
|