Isolation of a Bacterial Strain Capable of Carbamazepine-degrading and Biodegradation Characteristics

Abstract:

Quite recently, among new emerging contaminants, pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) and their active metabolites are an emerging environmental issue, due to their presence in the aquatic environment and potential for impacts on wildlife and humans. Carbamazepine is one of the most frequently and at the relatively high concentration levels detected pharmaceuticals in surface water and even in drinking water. Moreover, this drug has displayed high chronic ecotoxicity. A strain of carbamazepine- degrading bacterium was isolated from activated sludge treating pharmaceutical wastewater in Suzhou, China. It was identified as Acinetobacter sp. HY-7, based on biochemical test, 16S rRNA and gyrB gene sequence analysis. Strain HY-7 could grow in liquid mineral salt medium with carbamazepine as sole source of carbon, nitrogen and energy. HPLC analysis revealed the carbamazepine degradation percentage by HY-7 after 10 days was 48% at pH 6.0 and 25°C. Among carbamazepine and the similar structure compounds, indole, catechol, naphthalene, anthracene could also be utilized by strain HY-7 for growth, which exhibited a very broad substrate profile.

Key words:Emerging contaminants, Pharmaceutical and Personal Care Products, Carbamazepine, Biodegradation, Acinetobacter spp.