Research article2012Peer reviewed
Degradation of UV filters in sewage sludge and 4-MBC in liquid medium by the ligninolytic fungus Trametes versicolor
Badia-Fabregat, Marina; Rodriguez-Rodriguez, Carlos E.; Gago-Ferrero, Pablo; Olivares, Alba; Pina, Benjami; Silvia Diaz-Cruz, M.; Vicent, Teresa; Barcelo, Damia; Caminal, Gloria
Abstract
Ultraviolet (UV) filters are xenobiotic compounds that can enter the environment through the liquid effluent of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and through adsorption in the sludge by-product because of their high hydrophobicity, as the sludge is subsequently applied as a fertiliser. A solid-state treatment of WWTP sludge with the white-rot fungus Trametes versicolor is reported in the present work as a feasible method for UV filter degradation, with reductions ranging from 87% in the case of 3(-4'-methylbenzylidene) camphor (4-MBC) to 100% for benzophenone-3 (BP3) and its metabolite 4,4'-dihydroxybenzophenone (4DHB). This study represents a first step in the development of a future fungal treatment for UV filters; thus, it is essential to prove that elimination is due only to the action of the fungus and not that of other microorganisms. To this end, the sludge was sterilised prior to fungal treatment. Biological assays indicate that T. versicolor readily eliminates oestrogenic activity, although it may be inefficient at eliminating other compounds, including some with dioxin-like activity. Degradation studies of 4-MBC in liquid media were also performed, and complete removal was achieved in less than 24 h. The main metabolites were identified, and the first steps of the transformation pathway were elucidated: a mono- or di-hydroxylation by cytochrome P450 and a subsequent conjugation with a pentose. None of 4-MBC transformation products was found to be responsible for increased dioxin-like activity in the sludge. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords
Solid-state fermentation; 3-(4 '-Methylbenzylidene) camphor; Metabolites; Toxicological assays
Published in
Journal of Environmental Management
2012, Volume: 104, pages: 114-120 Publisher: ACADEMIC PRESS LTD- ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
UKÄ Subject classification
Analytical Chemistry
Publication identifier
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2012.03.039
Permanent link to this page (URI)
https://res.slu.se/id/publ/87417