Progresses in mechanisms of microbial degradation of new pollutant pharmaceuticals

Abstract:

Environmental microorganisms are the primary decomposers in nature, and their genetic and metabolic diversity make them crucial for breaking down organic pollutants. With the continuous release of pharmaceuticals into the environment, their potential effects on human health and environmental risks have become a topic of concern. Thus, understanding the biodegradation process of pharmaceuticals in the environment is essential for assessing their environmental fate and developing removal technology for pharmaceutical pollutants. This paper aims to focus on the microbial degradation pathways and molecular mechanisms of frequently occurred pharmaceuticals in the environment. We also summarized the current progresses in the field of microbial pharmaceutical degradation and discussed the potential research directions.