Laccase-mediated michael addition of 15N-sulfapyridine to a model humic constituent

Dual role of soil-derived dissolved organic matter in the sulfamethoxazole oxidation by manganese dioxide

Manganese dioxide (MnO₂) can mediate organic pollutant oxidation in aquatic environments, which has been reported to be inhibited or promoted by dissolved organic matter (DOM) in different studies. It remains unresolved why conflicting results have been observed and whether such results depend on the type and concentration of DOM. Here, we used three types of well-characterized DOM derived from soil heated at 50, 250, or 400 °C (DOM_50, DOM_250, and DOM_400, respectively) to evaluate the impacts of DOM type and concentration and environmental pH on MnO₂-mediated oxidation of sulfamethoxazole, a widely detected and ecotoxic emerging pollutant. We observed that the degradation rate of sulfamethoxazole was possibly promoted by DOM_250 (pH 6‒8), while it was generally inhibited by DOM_50 and DOM_400. Furthermore, it was initially inhibited and then promoted with increasing DOM concentrations and was consistently less inhibited at a higher pH. The inter-DOM variations of sulfamethoxazole degradation could be explained by the more enriched polyphenolics in DOM_250 than in DOM_50 and DOM_400, whereas the weak promoting effect of DOM_400 indicates that high DOM aromaticity may not necessarily promote pollutant degradation. Our results reconcile the debate on the role of DOM in the oxidation of sulfamethoxazole by MnO₂ and highlight the decisiveness of the molecular composition and concentration of DOM and the reaction pH in the overall promoting or inhibiting role of DOM.

Interaction of Antibiotics and Humic Substances: Environmental Consequences and Remediation Prospects

The occurrence and distribution of antibiotics in the environment has received increasing attention due to their potential adverse effects on human health and ecosystems. Humic substances (HS) influence the mobility, reactivity, and bioavailability of antibiotics in the environment significantly due to their interaction. As a result, HS can affect the dissemination of antibiotic-resistance genes, which is one of the main problems arising from contamination with antibiotics. The review provides quantitative data on the binding of HS with fluoroquinolones, macrolides, sulfonamides, and tetracyclines and reports the proposed mechanisms of their interaction. The main issues of the quantification of antibiotic-HS interaction are discussed, which are a development of standard approaches and the accumulation of a dataset using a standard methodology. This would allow the implementation of a meta-analysis of data to reveal the patterns of the binding of antibiotics to HS. Examples of successful development of humic-based sorbents for fluoroquinolone and tetracycline removal from environmental water systems or polluted wastewaters were given. Data on the various effects of HS on the dissemination of antibiotic-resistance genes (ARGs) were summarized. The detailed characterization of HS properties as a key point of assessing the environmental consequences of the formation of antibiotic-HS complexes, such as the dissemination of antibiotic resistance, was proposed.

Synthesis of typical sulfonamide antibiotics with [14C]- and [13C]-labeling on the phenyl ring for use in environmental studies

BACKGROUND

Due to their widespread use, sulfonamide antibiotics (SAs) have become ubiquitous environmental contaminants and thus a cause of public concern. However, a complete understanding of the behavior of these pollutants in complex environmental systems has been hampered by the unavailability and high cost of isotopically labeled SAs.

RESULTS

Using commercially available uniformly [¹⁴C]- and [¹³C]-labeled aniline as starting materials, we synthesized [phenyl-ring-¹⁴C]- and [phenyl-ring-¹³C]-labeled sulfamethoxazole (SMX), sulfamonomethoxine (SMM), and sulfadiazine (SDZ) in four-step (via the condensation of labeled N-acetylsulfanilyl chloride and aminoheterocycles) or five-step (via the condensation of labeled N-acetylsulfonamide and chloroheterocycles) reactions, with good yields (5.0-22.5% and 28.1-54.1% for [¹⁴C]- and [¹³C]-labeled SAs, respectively) and high purities (> 98.0%).

CONCLUSION

The synthesis of [¹⁴C]-labeled SAs in milligram amounts enables the preparation of labeled SAs with high specific radioactivity. The efficient and feasible methods described herein can be applied to the production of a variety of [¹⁴C]- or [¹³C]-labeled SAs for studies on their environmental behavior, including the fate, transformation, and bioaccumulation of these antibiotics in soils and aqueous systems.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12302-022-00598-z.

Interaction kinetics and accessibility of sulfadiazine in model clay-humic acid suspension: Electron spin resonance investigations with nitroxide spin label

The characterization of the interaction of sulfonamides with soil is of particular interest in environmental risk and persistence assessment. In the present work electron spin resonance spectroscopy (ESR) was used to investigate the interaction kinetics of spin labelled sulfadiazine (SL-SDZ) with model clay-humic acid suspensions. The ESR spectra showed that SL-SDZ incubated with Leonardite humic acid (LHA) and Ca-hectorite as model clay was immobilized due to covalent binding of its aniline moiety to LHA. From the immobilization kinetics measured over a period of 1200 h a pseudo-first order reaction with a time constant of 82.6 ± 25.0 h of covalent binding was determined. Additionally, SL-SDZ was strongly sorbed by LHA immediately after incubation but not durably sequestered. Compared to incubation without Ca-hectorite the covalent binding kinetics of SL-SDZ as well as its strong sorption were retarded.

Redox-Active Moieties in Dissolved Organic Matter Accelerate the Degradation of Nitroimidazoles in SO4•--Based Oxidation

The presence of dissolved organic matter (DOM) is known to inhibit the degradation of trace organic contaminants (TrOCs) in SO₄^•--based advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) due to filtering of the photochemically active light and radical scavenging effects. This study revealed an unexpected contribution for DOM in the degradation of nitroimidazoles (NZs) in the UV/persulfate AOP. The apparent second-order rate constants of NZs with SO₄^•- increased by 2.05 to 4.77 times in the presence of different DOMs. The increments were linearly related to the total electron capacity of DOM. Quinone and polyphenol moieties were found to play a dominant role. The reactive species generated from SO₄^•-'s oxidation of DOM, including semiquinone radical (SQ^•-) and superoxide (O₂^•-), were found to react with NZs via Michael addition and O₂^•- addition. The second-order rate constants of tinidazole with SQ^•- is determined to be (5.69 ± 0.59) × 10⁶ M^-1 s^-1 by laser flash photolysis. Reactive species potentially generated from DOM may be considered in designing processes for the abatement of different types of TrOCs.

Covalent binding with model quinone compounds unveils the environmental fate of the insensitive munitions reduced product 2,4-diaminoanisole (DAAN) under anoxic conditions

2,4-Dinitroanisole (DNAN) is an insensitive munitions compound expected to replace 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT). The product of DNAN's reduction in the environment is 2,4-diaminoanisole (DAAN), a toxic and carcinogenic aromatic amine. DAAN is known to become irreversibly incorporated into soil natural organic matter (NOM) after DNAN's reduction. Herein, we investigate the reactions between DAAN and NOM under anoxic conditions, using 1,4-benzoquinone (BQ) and methoxybenzoquinone (MBQ) as model humic moieties of NOM. A new method stopped the fast reactions between DAAN and quinones, capturing the fleeting intermediates. We observed that DAAN incorporation into NOM (represented by BQ and MBQ models) is quinone-dependent and occurs via Michael addition, imine (Schiff-base) formation, and azo bond formation. After dimers are formed, incorporation reactions continue, resulting in trimers and tetramers. After 20 days, 56.4% of dissolved organic carbon from a mixture of DAAN (1 mM) and MBQ (3 mM) had precipitated, indicating an extensive polymerization, with DAAN becoming incorporated into high-molecular-weight humic-like compounds. The present work suggests a new approach for DNAN environmental remediation, in which DNAN anaerobic transformation can be coupled to the formation of non-extractable bound DAAN residues in soil organic matter. This process does not require aerobic conditions nor a specific catalyst.

Coupling of natural organic matter-metal binding and laccase-catalyzed oxidation of tetrabromobisphenol A

Laccases are a group of copper-containing oxidase enzymes found in aquatic and terrestrial environment. They can catalyze one-electron oxidation of phenolic compounds to radical intermediates using molecular oxygen as the electron accepter. The radical intermediates can subsequently couple to each other to form dimers. In this study, we investigated the kinetics of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) transformation in laccase-catalyzed oxidation process. It was revealed that the removal of TBBPA was first order to the concentrations of both substrate and laccase. Natural organic matter (NOM) inhibited the reaction by reversing the oxidation of TBBPA. Such inhibition effect was more significant in the presence of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Cd²⁺, Mn²⁺, and Co²⁺, but not Na⁺ or K⁺. This was because of the formation of NOM-metal complexes. Binding to metal ions neutralizes the negative charge of NOM, making it easier to access laccase molecules and thus have a greater chance to react with the radical intermediates. A numerical model that couples the laccase-catalyzed oxidation and NOM-metal-binding processes was constructed. This model successfully described the transformation of TBBPA in the presence of NOM and divalent metal ions in laccase-catalyzed oxidation process. Product identification indicated radical coupling and elimination was the main pathway of TBBPA transformation. Overall, this work provides important sights into the laccase-catalyzed oxidation process.

Polymerization of micropollutants in natural aquatic environments: A review

Micropollutants with high ecotoxicological risks are frequently detected in aquatic environments, which has aroused great concern in recent years. Humification is one of the most important natural detoxification processes of aquatic micropollutants, and the core reactions of this process are polymerization and coupling. During humification, micropollutants are incorporated into the macrostructures of humic substances and precipitated from aqueous systems into sediments. However, the similarities and differences among the polymerization/coupling pathways of micropollutants in different oxidative systems have not been systematically summarized in a review. This article reviews the current knowledge on the weak oxidation-induced spontaneous polymerization/coupling transformation of micropollutants. First, four typical weak oxidative conditions for the initiation of micropollutant polymerization reactions in aquatic environments are compared: enzymatic catalysis, biomimetic catalysis, metal oxide oxidation, and photo-initiated oxidation. Second, three major subsequent spontaneous transformation pathways of micropollutants are elucidated: radical polymerization, nucleophilic addition/substitution and cyclization. Different solution conditions are also summarized. Furthermore, the importance of toxicity evolution during the weak oxidation-induced coupling/polymerization of micropollutants is particularly emphasized. This review provides a new perspective for the transformation mechanism and pathways of micropollutants from aquatic systems into sediments and the atmosphere and offers theoretical support for developing micropollutant control technologies.

Transformation of aqueous sulfonamides under horseradish peroxidase and characterization of sulfur dioxide extrusion products from sulfadiazine

The potential of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) to catalyze the removal of sulfonamides from water and the effects of different H₂O₂ and HRP concentrations were investigated. Six sulfonamides, each with a five- or six-membered heterocyclic group, including sulfamethoxazole (SMX), sulfathiazole (STZ), sulfapyridine (SPD), sulfadiazine (SDZ), sulfamerazine (SMR) and sulfamethoxypyridazine (SMP) were selected as target compounds. All sulfonamides exhibit a pseudo-first-order dependence of the concentration versus the reaction time. The decay rate (k, h^-1) of the six sulfonamides spiked individually exhibit a trend following the order of STZ > SMP, SPD > SMR > SDZ » SMX. When spiked together, the coexistent sulfonamides might act as mediators for the enhancement of SMX removal and as competitors for the decreased removal of most sulfonamides. Moreover, six transformation products of SDZ are identified by the Thermo Scientific LTQ Orbitrap Elite technique. SDZ transformation involves two steps: one is the Smiles re-arrangement of the structure, and the other is oxidation and sulfur dioxide extrusion. This study is the first to report the removal dynamics of sulfonamides in HRP-catalyzed reactions and the identified products of SDZ.

Interactions of 15N-Sulfadiazine and Soil Components As Evidenced by 15N-CPMAS NMR

The extensive use of sulfonamides (SNs) in animal husbandry has led to an unintentional widespread occurrence in several environmental compartments. The implementation of regulations and management recommendations to reduce the potential risk of development of antibiotic resistances necessitates detailed knowledge on their fate in soil. We present results from two independent incubation studies of ¹⁵N-labeled sulfadiazines (SDZ) which focused on identifying binding types in bound residues. In the first study ¹⁵N-amino labeled SDZ was incubated with two previously isolated humic acids in the presence and absence of Trametes versicolor laccase, while in the second study ¹⁵N-double-labeled SDZ was incubated with a typical agricultural Luvisol and the humic acid fraction isolated after sequential extraction of the soil. The freeze-dried humic acid fractions of both studies were then analyzed by ¹⁵N-CPMAS NMR and compared with the ¹⁵N-spectra of synthesized model compounds. In both studies amide bonds and Michael adducts were identified, while formation of imine bonds could be excluded. In the humic acid study, where less harsh extraction methods were applied, possible formation of H-bridging and sequestration were additionally detected.

Transformation and toxicity evaluation of tetracycline in humic acid solution by laccase coupled with 1-hydroxybenzotriazole

Enzyme-based catalyzed oxidative coupling reactions (E-COCRs) are considered as viable technologies to transform a variety of pharmaceutical antibiotics. This study indicated that the extracellular fungal laccase from Pleurotus ostreatus was effective in transforming tetracycline (TC) with 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HBT) present at varying conditions during E-COCRs. The presence of humic acid (HA) showed suppressive effect on the transformation rate constants (k) of TC, and the k values for TC decreased as HA concentration increased. It was ascribed primarily to the covalent binding between TC and HA, which reduced the apparent concentration and availability of TC in water. It is noted that TC molecules from the cross-coupling products were likely re-released under extreme conditions (pH<2.0). The intermediate products were identified regardless of HA presence by high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). A possible reaction pathway of TC in HA solution including electron transfer, hydroxylation, dehydrogenation, oxidation, radical reaction, decomposition, and covalent binding was proposed. The growth inhibition assays of Escherichia coli (E. coli) confirmed that the antimicrobial activity of TC was remarkably reduced with an increasing reaction time. These findings provide novel insights into the decomposition and cross-coupling of TC in a multi-solute natural aquatic environment by laccase-based catalyzed oxidative processes.

Transformation and products of captopril with humic constituents during laccase-catalyzed oxidation: Role of reactive intermediates

The transformation of captopril (CAP), a widely-used thiol drug, was studied with the presence of dissolved model humic constituents (HCs) in a laccase-catalyzed system. Reaction products were analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry and condensed fukui function computation. CAP reacted with different model HCs in the enzymatic system for 1 h, ranging from 75% (syringic acid) to 96% (p-coumaric acid). In the absence of HCs, only 15% of CAP was removed through self-coupling. The presence of HCs apparently changed the transformation of CAP in aqueous environment, and the HC reactive intermediates played an important role. First, during laccase catalysis, HCs with different structures were oxidized to produce reactive intermediates, including phenoxyl radical cation, ortho-, and para-quinone intermediates. Second, these intermediates were readily attacked by CAP via nucleophilic reactions, forming C-S-C covalent conjugates. More importantly, the standard reduction potential of these intermediates is a critical parameter, as PCA showed the highest reactivity to the nucleophilic addition reaction with CAP by forming phenoxy radical cations. While SYR showed the least reactivity due to the formation of para-quinone intermediates. Therefore, the functional groups on HCs could greatly influence the cross-coupling with CAP, as well as the type and stability of the coupling products. This work clearly demonstrated the transformation of CAP and other thiol drugs with the presence of HCs in aqueous environment, which is similar to the natural humification process.

Laccase-catalyzed reactions of 17β-estradiol in the presence of humic acid: Resolved by high-resolution mass spectrometry in combination with (13)C labeling

The widespread presence of estrogens in natural waters poses potential threats to the aquatic organisms and human health. It is known that estrogens undergo enzyme-catalyzed oxidative coupling (ECOC) reactions, which may impact their environmental fate and can be used in wastewater treatment to remove estrogens, but little information is available on how natural organic matter (NOM) may influence 17β-estradiol (E2) transformation in ECOC processes. A series of experiments were conducted to examine the transformation of E2 in aqueous solution containing humic acid (HA) as model NOM by laccase-mediated ECOC reactions. The impact of HA on the reaction behaviors and product distribution is systematically characterized. The presence of HA inhibited the extent of E2 self-coupling in laccase-mediated systems, while promoted cross-coupling between E2 and HA. Reconfiguration of humic molecules was also observed and characterized by changes in absorbance at 275 nm and the ratios between A250 nm/A365 nm. In particular, experiments were conducted with un-labeled E2 mixed with (13)C3-labeled E2 at a set ratio, with the products probed using high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). The high m/z accuracy of HRMS enabled the use of isotope ratio as a tracer to identify possible cross-coupling products between E2 and HA. Such a method combining HRMS and isotope labeling provides a novel means for identification of products in a reaction system involving NOM or other complex matrices. These findings provide a basis for optimization of ECOC reactions for estrogen removal, and also help to understand the environmental transformation of estrogens.

Root Uptake of Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Product Ingredients

Crops irrigated with reclaimed wastewater or grown in biosolids-amended soils may take up pharmaceuticals and personal care product ingredients (PPCPs) through their roots. The uptake pathways followed by PPCPs and the propensity for these compounds to bioaccumulate in food crops are still not well understood. In this critical review, we discuss processes expected to influence root uptake of PPCPs, evaluate current literature on uptake of PPCPs, assess models for predicting plant uptake of these compounds, and provide recommendations for future research, highlighting processes warranting study that hold promise for improving mechanistic understanding of plant uptake of PPCPs. We find that many processes that are expected to influence PPCP uptake and accumulation have received little study, particularly rhizosphere interactions, in planta transformations, and physicochemical properties beyond lipophilicity (as measured by Kow). Data gaps and discrepancies in methodology and reporting have so far hindered development of models that accurately predict plant uptake of PPCPs. Topics warranting investigation in future research include the influence of rhizosphere processes on uptake, determining mechanisms of uptake and accumulation, in planta transformations, the effects of PPCPs on plants, and the development of predictive models.

Removal of sulfadimethoxine in soil mediated by extracellular oxidoreductases

Sulfadimethoxine (SDM) is an antibiotic commonly used in concentrated animal feeding operations and released into the environment via manure application on agricultural lands. Transformation of antibiotics in soil impacts the likelihood of their entry to water bodies, uptake by plants, and thus their effect on terrestrial and aquatic organisms. We conducted experiments to incubate SDM in a sandy loam soil in the presence of humification enzymes commonly found in natural soil, laccase, horseradish peroxidase, and lignin peroxidase. Incubation with the enzymes led to significant reduction in the fraction of SDM extractable from soil, indicating the formation of bound residues. Such transformation was enhanced when the organic matter content in soil is increased or when certain chemical mediators were used along with laccase. The study provided a basis for understanding the environmental fate of sulfonamides and help with the development of remediation methods to mitigate the release of sulfonamides from soil to water.

Interactions between natural organic matter and organic pollutants as revealed by NMR spectroscopy

Natural organic matter (NOM) plays a critical role in regulating the transport and the fate of organic contaminants in the environment. NMR spectroscopy is a powerful technique for the investigation of the sorption and binding mechanisms between NOM and pollutants, as well as their mutual chemical transformations. Despite NMR relatively low sensibility but due to its wide versatility to investigating samples in the liquid, gel, and solid phases, NMR application to environmental NOM-pollutants relations enables the achievement of specific and complementary molecular information. This report is a brief outline of the potentialities of the different NMR techniques and pulse sequences to elucidate the interactions between NOM and organic pollutants, with and without their labeling with nuclei that enhance NMR sensitivity.

Enzymatic Transformation and Bonding of Sulfonamide Antibiotics to Model Humic Substances

Sulfonamides are consumed as pharmaceutical antibiotics and reach agricultural soils with excreta used as fertilizer. Subsequently, nonextractable residues rapidly form in soil, which has been researched in a couple of studies. To further elucidate conditions, strength, and mechanisms of the fixation to soil humic substances, three selected sulfonamides were investigated using the biochemical oligomerization of substituted phenols as a model for the humification process. Catechol, guaiacol, and vanillin were enzymatically reacted using laccase fromTrametes versicolor. In the presence of the substituted phenols alone, the concentration of sulfonamides decreased. This decrease was even more pronounced when additional laccase was present. Upon the enzymatic oligomerization of the substituted phenols to a humic-like structure the sulfonamides were sorbed, transformed, sequestered, and nonextractable bound. Sulfonamides were transformed depending on their molecular properties. Fractions of different bonding strength were determined using a sequential extraction procedure. Isolated nonextractable products were analyzed by chromatographic, spectroscopic, and calorimetric methods to identify coupling and bonding mechanisms of the sulfonamides. Differential scanning calorimetry measurements suggested cross-linking of such incorporated sulfonamides in humic oligomers. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy measurements showed clear differences between the vanillin-sulfapyridine oligomer and the parent sulfapyridine indicating bound residue formation through covalent binding.

Nonextractable residue formation of sulfonamide antimicrobials: new insights from soil incubation experiments

Soil incubation experiments using (14)C-labelled sulfamethazine were carried out to assess the factors governing its nonextractable residue (NER) formation via nucleophilic addition reactions. Circumstantial evidence on possible mechanisms of NER formation was derived from a selective manipulation of soil samples. The amount of quinones in soil available for nucleophilic addition was a limiting factor as indicated by (i) an (initial) increase of NER formation by adding quinone precursors or enhancing their formation by manganese oxide addition and (ii) a decrease of NER formation by limiting the formation of quinones under anaerobic conditions. A slow NER formation with time under aerobic conditions is likely caused by covalent bonding as well, because no slow NER formation phase was observed under anaerobic conditions.

Covalent bonding of chloroanilines to humic constituents: pathways, kinetics, and stability

Covalent coupling to natural humic constituents comprises an important transformation pathway for anilinic pollutants in the environment. We systematically investigated the reactions of chlorine substituted anilines with catechol and syringic acid in horseradish peroxidase (HRP) catalyzed systems. It was demonstrated that although nucleophilic addition was the mechanism of covalent bonding to both catechol and syringic acid, chloroanilines coupled to the 2 humic constituents via slightly different pathways. 1,4-addition and 1,2-addition are involved to catechol and syringic acid, respectively. 1,4-addition showed empirical 2nd order kinetics and this pathway seemed to be more permanent than 1,2-addition. Stability experiments demonstrated that cross-coupling products with syringic acid could be easily released in acidic conditions. However, cross-coupling with catechol was relatively stable at similar conditions. Thus, the environmental behavior and bioavailability of the coupling products should be carefully assessed.

Covalent binding of sulfamethazine to natural and synthetic humic acids: assessing laccase catalysis and covalent bond stability

Sulfonamide antibiotics form stable covalent bonds with quinone moieties in organic matter via nucleophilic addition reactions. In this work, we combined analytical electrochemistry with trace analytics to assess the catalytic role of the oxidoreductase laccase in the binding of sulfamethazine (SMZ) to Leonardite humic acid (LHA) and to four synthetic humic acids (SHAs) polymerized from low molecular weight precursors and to determine the stability of the formed bonds. In the absence of laccase, a significant portion of the added SMZ formed covalent bonds with LHA, but only a very small fraction (<0.4%) of the total quinone moieties in LHA reacted. Increasing absolute, but decreasing relative concentrations of SMZ-LHA covalent bonds with increasing initial SMZ concentration suggested that the quinone moieties in LHA covered a wide distribution in reactivity for the nucleophilic addition of SMZ. Laccase catalyzed the formation of covalent bonds by oxidizing unreactive hydroquinone moieties in LHA to reactive, electrophilic quinone moieties, of which a large fraction (5%) reacted with SMZ. Compared to LHA, the SHA showed enhanced covalent bond formation in the absence of laccase, suggesting a higher reactivity of their quinone moieties toward nucleophilic addition. This work supports that binding to soil organic matter (SOM) is an important process governing the fate, bioactivity, and extractability of sulfonamides in soils.

Continuous degradation of a mixture of sulfonamides by Trametes versicolor and identification of metabolites from sulfapyridine and sulfathiazole

In this study, we assessed the degradation of the sulfonamides sulfapyridine (SPY) and sulfathiazole (STZ) by the white-rot fungus Trametes versicolor. Complete degradation was accomplished in fungal cultures at initial pollutant concentrations of approximately 10 mg L(-1), although a longer period of time was needed to completely remove STZ in comparison to SPY. When cytochrome P450 inhibitors were added to the fungal cultures, STZ degradation was partially suppressed, while no additional effect was observed for SPY. Experiments with purified laccase and laccase mediators caused the removal of greater than 75% of each antibiotic. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadupole time of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QqTOF-MS) analyses allowed the identification of a total of eight degradation intermediates of SPY in both the in vivo and the laccase experiments, being its desulfonated moiety the commonly detected product. For STZ, a total of five products were identified. A fluidized bed reactor with T. versicolor pellets degraded a mixture of sulfonamides (SPY, STZ and sulfamethazine, SMZ) by greater than 94% each at a hydraulic residence time of 72 h. Because wastewater contains many diverse pollutants, these results highlight the potential of T. versicolor as a bioremediation agent not only for the removal of antibiotics but also for the elimination of a wide range of contaminants.

Transformation of sulfamethazine by manganese oxide in aqueous solution

The transformation of the sulfonamide antimicrobial sulfamethazine (SMZ) by a synthetic analogue of the birnessite-family mineral vernadite (δ-MnO(2)) was studied. The observed pseudo-first-order reaction constants (k(obs)) decreased as the pH increased from 4.0 to 5.6, consistent with the decline in δ-MnO(2) reduction potential with increasing pH. Molecular oxygen accelerated SMZ transformation by δ-MnO(2) and influenced the transformation product distribution. Increases in the Na(+) concentration produced declines in k(obs). Transformation products identified by tandem mass spectrometry and the use of (13)C-labeled SMZ included an azo dimer self-coupling product and SO(2) extrusion products. Product analysis and density functional theory calculations are consistent with surface precursor complex formation followed by single-electron transfer from SMZ to δ-MnO(2) to produce SMZ radical species. Sulfamethazine radicals undergo further transformation by at least two pathways: radical-radical self-coupling or a Smiles-type rearrangement with O addition and then extrusion of SO(3). Experiments conducted in H(2)(18)O or in the presence of (18)O(2)(aq) demonstrated that oxygen both from the lattice of as-synthesized δ-MnO(2) and initially present as dissolved oxygen reacted with SMZ. The study results suggest that the oxic state and pH of soil and sediment environments can be expected to influence manganese oxide-mediated transformation of sulfonamide antimicrobials.

Reactions of a sulfonamide antimicrobial with model humic constituents: assessing pathways and stability of covalent bonding

The mechanism of covalent bond formation of the model sulfonamide sulfathiazole (STZ) and the stronger nucleophile para-ethoxyaniline was studied in reactions with model humic acid constituents (quinones and other carbonyl compounds) in the absence and presence of laccase. As revealed by high resolution mass spectrometry, the initial bonding of STZ occurred by 1,2- and 1,4-nucleophilic additions of the aromatic amino group to quinones resulting in imine and anilinoquinone formation, respectively. Experiments using the radical scavenger tert-butyl-alcohol provided the same products and similar formation rates as those without scavenger indicating that probably not radical coupling reactions were responsible for the initial covalent bond formation. No addition with nonquinone carbonyl compounds occurred within 76 days except for a slow 1,4-addition to the β-unsaturated carbonyl 1-penten-3-one. The stability of covalent bonds against desorption and pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) was assessed. The recovery rates showed no systematic differences in STZ extractability between the two product types. This suggests that the strength of bonding is not controlled by the initial type of bond, but by the extent of subsequent incorporation of the reaction product into the formed polymer. This incorporation was monitored for (15)N aniline by (1)H-(15)N HMBC NMR spectroscopy. The initial 1,2- and 1,4-addition bonds were replaced by stronger heterocyclic forms with increasing incubation time. These processes could also hold true for soils, and a slow nonextractable residue formation with time could be related to a slow increase of the amount of covalently bound sulfonamide and the strength of bonding.

Process dominance analysis for fate modeling of flubendazole and fenbendazole in liquid manure and manured soil

Fate monitoring data on anaerobic transformation of the benzimidazole anthelmintics flubendazole (FLU) and fenbendazole (FEN) in liquid pig manure and aerobic transformation and sorption in soil and manured soil under laboratory conditions were used for corresponding fate modeling. Processes considered were reversible and irreversible sequestration, mineralization, and metabolization, from which a set of up to 50 different models, both nested and concurrent, was assembled. Five selection criteria served for model selection after parameter fitting: the coefficient of determination, modeling efficiency, a likelihood ratio test, an information criterion, and a determinability measure. From the set of models selected, processes were classified as essential or sufficient. This strategy to identify process dominance was corroborated through application to data from analogous experiments for sulfadiazine and a comparison with established fate models for this substance. For both, FLU and FEN, model selection performance was fine, including indication of weak data support where observed. For FLU reversible and irreversible sequestration in a nonextractable fraction was determined. In particular, both the extractable and the nonextractable fraction were equally sufficient sources for irreversible sequestration. For FEN generally reversible formation of the extractable sulfoxide metabolite and reversible sequestration of both the parent and the metabolite were dominant. Similar to FLU, irreversible sequestration in the nonextractable fraction was determined for which both the extractable or the nonextractable fraction were equally sufficient sources. Formation of the sulfone metabolite was determined as irreversible, originating from the first metabolite.

Metabolites from fungal laccase-catalysed transformation of sulfonamides

Soil metabolism of sulfonamides is largely unknown. Hence the sulfonamides sulfanilamide (SAA), sulfadimethoxine (SDT) and sulfapyridine (SPY) were reacted in model experiments with a fungal laccase from Trametes versicolor. Enzymatic transformation after a reaction time of 15 d ranged from 10.0% for SAA up to 95.6% for SPY and the difference was attributed to the different molecular substituents. Metabolites were first tentatively assigned after LC-ESI(+)-MS full-scan analysis. Secondly, the proposed metabolites were further confirmed employing either multiple reaction monitoring in comparison with standard substances or precursor ion scan LC-ESI(+)-MS/MS experiments striving for the precursor and two to three product ions. Aniline was confirmed as a breakdown product of SPY and further metabolites of SPY and of SDT were identified as rearranged SO(2) extrusion products. Thirdly, some of the metabolites matched those that were previously reported for sulfonamide photodegradation and degradation in soil. It was concluded that enzymatic metabolism as investigated here also occurs in soil.

Sorption of sulfonamide antimicrobial agents to humic acid-clay complexes

The interaction of sulfonamide antimicrobial agents with smectite clay minerals and humic acid (HA)-clay complexes was investigated in batch experiments to assess the influence of adsorbed humic acid on sulfonamide sorption. Soil HA-clay complexes were produced at HA:clay ratios of 1:5, 1:50, and 1:100 (w/w). Vibrational and electronic spectroscopy indicated the preferential adsorption of polar and aliphatic components of HA to smectite surfaces, a phenomenon most readily discerned at the two lower HA:clay ratios (1:50 and 1:100). Humic acid adsorption to smectite clay minerals enhanced sulfamethazine [2-(p-aminobenzenesulfonamido)-4,6-dimethyl pyrimidine] sorption, especially at the highest HA:clay ratio (1:5). Sulfamethazine sorption to adsorbed HA generally increased with the abundance of carboxyl (and possibly other O- and N-containing) moieties and aliphatic carbon content. Both the smectite surface and the adsorbed humic acids contributed to sulfamethazine sorption-desorption hysteresis; hysteresis in sulfamethazine sorption to the adsorbed humic acids was equal to or larger than for adsorption to the smectites. Competitive sorption with a structurally similar sulfonamide antimicrobial was apparent only at high competitor concentrations. This study indicates that sorption to organic carbon and clay mineral surfaces as well as the hysteretic sorption behavior warrant consideration in predicting the transport of these antimicrobial agents in soils and subsurface environments.

Removal of acetaminophen using enzyme-mediated oxidative coupling processes: II. Cross-coupling with natural organic matter

The influence of natural organic matter (NOM) on the transformation of acetaminophen in laccase-mediated oxidative coupling systems was investigated in this study. It was found that the removal of acetaminophen was enhanced while the self-coupling of acetaminophen was suppressed in the presence of dissolved NOM, likely resulting from cross-coupling between dissolved NOM and acetaminophen. In additionto cross-coupling with acetaminophen, NOM moieties could couple to each other upon reaction with laccase. This was evidenced by the development of a characteristic absorbance band centered at 472 nm. According to the rate of the absorbance change at 472 nm, the NOM coupling reactions in four different NOM solutions were evaluated. Apparently, the tendency of NOM coupling reactions correlates with the tendency of acetaminophen cross coupling with NOM in these solutions. Possible reaction pathways of cross-coupling were explored using guaiacol as a model NOM proxy, and the products were extracted and analyzed with mass spectrometry (MS). The results suggested that acetaminophen and guaiacol molecules were cross-coupled via the formation of C-O-C bonds.

Transport and transformation of sulfadiazine in soil columns packed with a silty loam and a loamy sand

Concerning the transport of the veterinary antibiotic sulfadiazine (SDZ) little is known about its possible degradation during transport. Also its sorption behaviour is not yet completely understood. We investigated the transport of SDZ in soil columns with a special emphasis on the detection of transformation products in the outflow of the soil columns and on modelling of the concentration distribution in the soil columns afterwards. We used disturbed soil columns near saturation, packed with a loamy sand and a silty loam. SDZ was applied as a 0.57 mg L(-1) solution at a constant flow rate of 0.25 cm h(-1) for 68 h. Breakthrough curves (BTC) of SDZ and its transformation products 4-(2-iminopyrimidin-1(2H)-yl)aniline and 4-hydroxy-SDZ were measured for both soils. For the silty loam we additionally measured a BTC for an unknown transformation product which we only detected in the outflow samples of this soil. After the leaching experiments the (14)C-concentration was quantified in different layers of the soil columns. The transformation rates were low with mean SDZ mass fractions in the outflow samples of 95% for the loamy sand compared to 97% for the silty loam. The formation of 4-(2-iminopyrimidin-1(2H)-yl)aniline appears to be light dependent and did probably not occur in the soils, but afterwards. In the soil columns most of the (14)C was found near the soil surface. The BTCs in both soils were described well by a model with one reversible (kinetic) and one irreversible sorption site. Sorption kinetics played a more prominent role than sorption capacity. The prediction of the (14)C -concentration profiles was improved by applying two empirical models other than first order to predict irreversible sorption, but also these models were not able to describe the (14)C concentration profiles correctly. Irreversible sorption of sulfadiazine still is not well understood.

Part V--Sorption of pharmaceuticals and personal care products

BACKGROUND, AIM, AND SCOPE

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) including antibiotics, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and veterinary pharmaceuticals are emerging pollutants, and their environmental risk was not emphasized until a decade ago. These compounds have been reported to cause adverse impacts on wildlife and human. However, compared to the studies on hydrophobic organic contaminants (HOCs) whose sorption characteristics is reviewed in Part IV of this review series, information on PPCPs is very limited. Thus, a summary of recent research progress on PPCP sorption in soils or sediments is necessary to clarify research requirements and directions.

MAIN FEATURES

We reviewed the research progress on PPCP sorption in soils or sediments highlighting PPCP sorption different from that of HOCs. Special function of humic substances (HSs) on PPCP behavior is summarized according to several features of PPCP-soil or sediment interaction. In addition, we discussed the behavior of xenobiotic chemicals in a three-phase system (dissolved organic matter (DOM)-mineral-water). The complexity of three-phase systems was also discussed.

RESULTS

Nonideal sorption of PPCPs in soils or sediments is generally reported, and PPCP sorption behavior is relatively a more complicated process compared to HOC sorption, such as the contribution of inorganic fractions, fast degradation and metabolite sorption, and species-specific sorption mechanism. Thus, mechanistic studies are urgently needed for a better understanding of their environmental risk and for pollution control.

DISCUSSION

Recent research progress on nonideal sorption has not been incorporated into fate modeling of xenobiotic chemicals. A major reason is the complexity of the three-phase system. First of all, lack of knowledge in describing DOM fractionation after adsorption by mineral particles is one of the major restrictions for an accurate prediction of xenobiotic chemical behavior in the presence of DOM. Secondly, no explicit mathematical relationship between HS chemical-physical properties, and their sorption characteristics has been proposed. Last but not least, nonlinear interactions could exponentially increase the complexity and uncertainties of environmental fate models for xenobiotics. Discussion on proper simplification of fate modeling in the framework of nonlinear interactions is still unavailable.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the methodologies and concepts for studying HOC environmental fate could be adopted for PPCP study, their differences should be highly understood. Prediction of PPCP environmental behavior needs to combine contributions from various fractions of soils or sediments and the sorption of their metabolites and different species.

RECOMMENDATIONS AND PERSPECTIVES

More detailed studies on PPCP sorption in separated soil or sediment fractions are needed in order to propose a model predicting PPCP sorption in soils or sediments based on soil or sediment properties. The information on sorption of PPCP metabolites and species and the competition between them is still not enough to be incorporated into any predictive models.

NMR investigation of enzymatic coupling of sulfonamide antimicrobials with humic substances

Phenoloxidases mediate the oxidative transformation of soil phenolic constituents, contributing to the formation of humic substances and the chemical incorporation of some xenobiotic organic compounds into natural organic matter. We previously demonstrated phenoloxidase-mediated covalent coupling of sulfonamide antimicrobials with model humic constituents. Here, we investigate fungal peroxidase-mediated covalent coupling of 13C-sulfamethazine and 15N-sulfapyridine to humic substances. 1H-13C heteronuclear single quantum correlation (HSQC) nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy provided an initial indication of peroxidase-mediated covalent binding of 13C-sulfamethazine to humic acid. To confirm the role of the sulfonamide anilinic nitrogen in coupling to humic acid and to determine the nature of the covalent linkage, we incubated 15N-sulfapyridine with humic acid and peroxidase and examined reaction products in 1H-15N heteronuclear multiple bond (HMBC) experiments. The HMBC spectra revealed the presence of Michael adducts (i.e., anilinohydroquinones, anilinoquinones) and possibly other covalent linkages. No evidence for Schiff base formation was observed. Analogous experiments with the model humic constituent catechol provided corroborating evidence for these assignments. Michael adducts are expected to exhibit greater environmental stability than imine linkages that can form between sulfonamides and 2,6-dimethoxyphenols. Because the free anilinic nitrogen is required for the bioactivity of sulfonamide antimicrobials, nucleophilic addition occurring through this moiety could result in the biochemical inactivation of these compounds.

Dissipation and transport of veterinary sulfonamide antibiotics after manure application to grassland in a small catchment

The heavy use of veterinary antibiotics in modern animal production causes concern about risks of spreading antibiotic resistance after manure applications to agricultural fields. We report on a field study aiming at elucidating the fate of sulfonamide (SA) antibiotics in grassland soils and their transport to surface water. Two controlled manure applications were carried out under different weather conditions. After both applications, the SA concentrations in pore water and the total soil content declined rapidly. This stage of fast decline was followed by a second one during which the SA were rather persistent. More than 15% of the SAs applied were still present in the soil 3 months after application, always exceeding 100 microg/kg topsoil. The apparent SA sorption increased strongly with time. Accordingly, the risk for SA losses to water bodies decreased within 2 weeks to very low values. In contrast to SA concentrations in the soil, losses to the brook were strongly influenced by the weather conditions after the two manure applications. The overall losses were 15 times larger (about 0.5% of applied SA) during the wet conditions of May 2003 compared to the dry conditions following the first application (March 2003).