Bioremediation of emerging pharmaceutical pollutants acetaminophen and ibuprofen by white-rot fungi - A review

Emerging pharmaceutical pollutants, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, are frequently detected in aquatic ecosystems due to their widespread use and persistence in the environment. Their continuous discharge into water bodies through municipal wastewater presents significant ecological risks, including bioaccumulation and toxicity to aquatic organisms. Extensive research on white-rot fungi has highlighted their exceptional capacity to oxidize diverse contaminants, emphasizing their promise for environmental cleanup. This article presents a detailed evaluation of the effectiveness of white-rot fungi and their ligninolytic enzymes in mitigating micropollutants, with a particular focus on pharmaceuticals such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen in aquatic environments. The aim is to provide a foundation for utilizing these fungi and their enzymes in the treatment of commonly used analgesics, discuss the occurrence, fate, and environmental impacts of these two pharmaceuticals, followed by an in-depth examination of white-rot fungi degradation mechanisms, including biosorption and enzymatic oxidation through their ligninolytic enzymes. The review highlights key fungal species, operational parameters influencing degradation efficiency, thereby promoting advancements in fungal enzyme production, and practical applications in pollutant removal.