White-rot fungi-mediated biodegradation of cytostatic drugs - bleomycin and vincristine

Biotransformation of oxybenzone and 3-(4-methylbenzylidene)camphor in Cunninghamella species: Potential for environmental clean-up of widely used sunscreen agents

The extensive use of organic UV filters (OUVFs) has led to these compounds being ubiquitously detected in the environment and considered a new kind of environmental pollutant. As OUVFs cannot be efficiently eliminated by conventional treatment processes, there is an urgent need to develop new innovative solutions for their removal. The present work investigates the efficacy of three Cunninghamella strains in the biodegradation of OUVFs: oxybenzone (BP-3) and 3-(4-methylbenzylidene)camphor (4-MBC). Moreover, a cytochrome P450 (CYP450) inhibition study was conducted, and Cunninghamella-processed samples in silico and in vitro toxicity were evaluated. Our results indicated the ability of Cunninghamella strains to utilize OUVFs. Among the tested Cunninghamella strains, both agents were the most efficiently removed by C. blakesleeana. These results were comparable with A. niger biodegradation capacity. In vitro studies of the fungi-processed samples confirmed no mutagenicity in the Ames test and the lack of cytotoxicity against HepG2 cell line. Moreover, Cunninghamella treatment positively influenced OUVFs SH-SY5Y neurotoxicity and ecotoxicity. After fungal treatment, BP-3 agonistic estrogenic activity was higher, whereas antagonistic androgenic effect was lower than before biotransformation. 4-MBC, after biotransformation, lost agonistic estrogenic activity, but gained antagonistic estrogenic properties. Additionally, this study confirmed the involvement of CYP450 enzymes in BP-3 and 4-MBC biotransformation, thus contributing to a better understanding of the detoxification pathways of OUVFs in fungi. In conclusion, these findings demonstrated, for the first time, that using environmental fungi Cunninghamella for the biodegradation of BP-3 and 4-MBC represents a potent approach for eliminating contaminants from the natural environment.

Environmental bioremediation of pharmaceutical residues: microbial processes and technological innovations: a review

The ubiquitous presence of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in the environment has become a significant concern due to their persistence, bioaccumulation potential in biota, and diverse implications for human health and wildlife. This review provides an overview of the current state-of-the-art in environmental bioremediation techniques for reducing pharmaceutical residues, with a special emphasis on microbial physiological aspects. Numerous microorganisms, including algae, bacteria or fungi, can biodegrade various pharmaceutical compounds such as antibiotics, analgesics and beta-blockers. Some microorganisms are capable of transferring electrons within the cell, and this feature can be harnessed using Bio Electrochemical Systems (BES) to potentiate the degradation of pharmaceuticals present in wastewater. Moreover, researchers are evaluating the genetic modification of microbial strains to improve their degradation capacity and expand list of target compounds. This includes also discuss how environment changes, such as fluctuations in temperature or pH, may affect bioremediation efficiency. Furthermore, the presence of pharmaceuticals in the environment is emphasised as a major public health issue because it increases the chance for antibiotic-resistant bacteria emerging. This review combines existing information and outlines needed research areas for improving bioremediation technologies in the future.

Bleomycin pollution and lung health: The therapeutic potential of peimine in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis by inhibiting glycolysis

The increasing use of anticancer drugs has led to the emergence of environmental contaminants such as bleomycin (BLM), which poses significant threats to both aquatic ecosystems and human health. Bleomycin, known for its DNA-damaging properties, is extensively used in oncology. Its resistance to biodegradation, along with the limitations of conventional wastewater treatment processes, facilitates environmental accumulation from various sources, highlighting the need for effective management and treatment strategies to mitigate ecological and health risks. This study investigates the link between BLM pollution and pulmonary fibrosis, a progressive lung disease characterized by tissue scarring and loss of function. We demonstrate that BLM induces pulmonary fibrosis in mice and enhances glycolysis and fibroblast activation. Our findings also indicate that peimine, a natural compound derived from Fritillaria, suppresses fibroblast activation and ameliorates pulmonary fibrosis by inhibiting glycolysis through the PI3K/Akt/PFKFB3 signaling pathway. Taken together, this study underscores the environmental and health risks associated with the accumulation of cytostatic drugs like BLM and highlights the therapeutic potential of natural compounds such as peimine. Our results contribute to the development of novel strategies for the prevention and treatment of pulmonary fibrosis and call for better management practices to mitigate the environmental impact of cytostatic drugs.

Removal of the cytostatic drugs bleomycin and vincristine by white-rot fungi under various conditions, and determination of enzymes involved, degradation by-products, and toxicity

Anticancer drugs show recalcitrance to conventional wastewater treatments; thus, they are present in aquatic systems and pose an environmental threat. Fungi represent a promising biological alternative for wastewater treatments. Therefore, the goals of this work were to assess the potential of white-rot fungi (Fomes fomentarius (CB13), Hypholoma fasciculare (CB15), Phyllotopsis nidulans (CB14), Pleurotus ostreatus (BWPH), and Trametes versicolor (CB8)) for removing bleomycin and vincristine, and to investigate the impacts of various conditions (shaking, aeration, or biomass immobilization) on the process. The removal capacities were measured using Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC) coupled with Mass Spectrometry (MS) and preceded by Solid Phase Extraction (SPE). We further identified major drugs degradation products; determined the fungi's main enzyme activity profiles (laccase, manganese and lignin peroxidases); and examined the toxicities of post-processed samples against Lemna minor, Daphnia magna and Pseudomonas putida. In just 2 days, all strains (except for P. nidulans) removed >90 % of vincristine, nearly completely eliminating the drug over time. Bleomycin content reduction occurred with T. versicolor or H. fasciculare, respectively reaching 55 % and 83 % drug elimination after 9 days. Oxygen was found to be crucial for cytostatics degradation, with their highest removal rates occurring in samples with air supply (aeration or agitation). Laccase was the only tested enzyme associated with cytostatics elimination. Drug biodegradation was followed by detoxification, demonstrating the utility of fungi in cytostatics removal.

The Application of Fungi and Their Secondary Metabolites in Aquaculture

Ensuring sustainability has increasingly become a significant concern not only in aquaculture but in the general agrifood sector. Therefore, it is imperative to investigate pathways to feed substitutes/best practices to enhance aquaculture sustainability. The application of fungi in aquaculture provides innovative methods to enhance the sustainability and productivity of aquaculture. Fungi play numerous roles in aquaculture, including growth, immunity enhancement and disease resistance. They also play a role in bioremediation of waste and bioflocculation. The application of fungi improves the suitability and utilization of terrestrial plant ingredients in aquaculture by reducing the fibre fractions and anti-nutritional factors and increasing the nutrients and mineral contents of plant ingredients. Fungi are good flotation agents and can enhance the buoyancy of aquafeed. Pigments from fungi enhance the colouration of fish fillets, making them more attractive to consumers. This paper, via the relevant literature, explores the multifaceted roles of fungi in aquaculture, emphasizing their potential to transform aquaculture through environmentally friendly and sustainable techniques. The effectiveness of fungi in reducing fibre fractions and enhancing nutrient availability is influenced by the duration of fermentation and the dosage administered, which may differ for various feed ingredients, making it difficult for most aquaculture farmers to apply fungi approximately. Therefore, the most effective dosage and fermentation duration for each feed ingredient should be investigated.

White Rot Fungi as Tools for the Bioremediation of Xenobiotics: A Review

Industrial development has enhanced the release into the environment of large quantities of chemical compounds with high toxicity and limited prospects of degradation. The pollution of soil and water with xenobiotic chemicals has become a major ecological issue; therefore, innovative treatment technologies need to be explored. Fungal bioremediation is a promising technology exploiting their metabolic potential to remove or lower the concentrations of xenobiotics. In particular, white rot fungi (WRF) are unique microorganisms that show high capacities to degrade a wide range of toxic xenobiotic compounds such as synthetic dyes, chlorophenols, polychlorinated biphenyls, organophosphate pesticides, explosives and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). In this review, we address the main classes of enzymes involved in the fungal degradation of organic pollutants, the main mechanisms used by fungi to degrade these chemicals and the suitability of fungal biomass or extracellular enzymes for bioremediation. We also exemplify the role of several fungi in degrading pollutants such as synthetic dyes, PAHs and emerging pollutants such as pharmaceuticals and perfluoroalkyl/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). Finally, we discuss the existing current limitations of using WRF for the bioremediation of polluted environments and future strategies to improve biodegradation processes.

Bioremoval and Detoxification of the Anticancer Drug Mitoxantrone Using Immobilized Crude Versatile Peroxidase (icVP/Ba) Bjerkandera adusta CCBAS 930

The aim of this study was to evaluate the biodecolorization and detoxification of the anticancer drug mitoxantron (MTX) by immobilized crude versatile peroxidase of Bjerkandera adusta CCBAS 930 (icVP/Ba). The concentrated crude VP was obtained from B. adusta CCBAS 930 culture on medium with MTX (µg/mL) addition, immobilized with 4% sodium alginate. MTX removal degree (decolorization), levels of phenolic compounds and free radicals were determined during MTX biotransformation. Moreover, the phytotoxicity (Lepidium sativum L.), biotoxicity (multi-species microbial assay, MARA), and genotoxicity (SOS Chromotest) of MTX were evaluated before and after the biological treatment. The use of icVP/Ba (95 U/mL) significantly shortened the bioremoval of 10 µg/mL MTX (95.57% after 72 h). MTX removal by icVP/Ba was correlated with an 85% and 90% decrease in the levels of phenolic compounds and free radicals, respectively. In addition, the use of icVP/Ba contributed to a decrease in the phyto-, bio-, and genotoxicity of MTX. This is the first study to describe the possibility of removing MTX using immobilized crude fungal peroxidase.

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in environmental matrices: Occurrence, fate, health impact, physio-chemical and bioremediation technology

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are an emerging category of toxicity that adversely impacts humans and the environment's well-being. Diseases like cancer, cardiovascular risk, behavioral disorders, autoimmune defects, and reproductive diseases are related to these endocrine disruptors. Because these chemicals exist in known sources such as pharmaceuticals and plasticizers, as well as non-point sources such as agricultural runoff and storm water infiltration, the interactive effects of EDCs are gaining attention. However, the efficiency of conventional treatment methods is not sufficient to fully remediate EDCs from aqueous environments as the occurrence of EDC bioremediation and biodegradation is detected in remediated drinking water. Incorporating modification into current remediation techniques has to overcome challenges such as high energy consumption and health risks resulting from conventional treatment. Hence, the use of advanced psychochemical and biological treatments such as carbon-based adsorption, membrane technology, nanostructured photocatalysts, microbial and enzyme technologies is crucial. Intensifying environmental and health concerns about these mixed contaminants are primarily due to the lack of laws about acute concentration limits of these EDCs in municipal wastewater, groundwater, surface water, and drinking water. This review article offers evidence of fragmentary available data for the source, fate, toxicity, ecological and human health impact, remediation techniques, and mechanisms during EDC removal, and supports the need for further data to address the risks associated with the presence of EDCs in the environment. The reviews also provide comprehensive data for biodegradation of EDCs by using microbes such as fungi, bacteria, yeast, filamentous fungi, and their extracellular enzymes.

Laccases—Versatile Enzymes Used to Reduce Environmental Pollution

The accumulation of waste and toxic compounds has become increasingly harmful to the environment and human health. In this context, the use of laccases has become a focus of interest, due to the properties of these versatile enzymes: low substrate specificity, and water formation as a non-toxic end product. Thus, we begin our study with a general overview of the importance of laccase for the environment and industry, starting with the sources of laccases (plant, bacterial and fungal laccases), the structure and mechanism of laccases, microbial biosynthesis, and the immobilization of laccases. Then, we continue with an overview of agro-waste treatment by laccases wherein we observe the importance of laccases for the biodisponibilization of substrates and the biodegradation of agro-industrial byproducts; we then show some aspects regarding the degradation of xenobiotic compounds, dyes, and pharmaceutical products. The objective of this research is to emphasize and fully investigate the effects of laccase action on the decomposition of lignocellulosic materials and on the removal of harmful compounds from soil and water, in order to provide a sustainable solution to reducing environmental pollution.

Biodegradation of cyclophosphamide and etoposide by white rot fungi and their degradation kinetics

The biodegradation of cyclophosphamide and etoposide by Trametes versicolor (AH05), Ganoderma lucidum (MTCC-1039), and Phanerochaete chrysosporium (MTCC-787) were tested for 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 days, respectively. G. lucidum achieved the highest degradation efficiency of cyclophosphamide (71.5%) and etoposide (98.4%) after 6 days of treatment. The degradation efficiency of T. versicolor and P. chrysosporium for etoposide was 79.8% and 76.8%, respectively. However, no degradation of cyclophosphamide was achieved with P. chrysosporium, although it showed the highest sorption efficiency for cyclophosphamide (23.7%). Trametes versicolor achieved only 1.4% degradation of cyclophosphamide, that includes both biodegradation and biosorption. The pseudo first-order degradation kinetics explained the degradation of etoposide and cyclophosphamide with t_1/2 values of 1.32 and 4.43 days and 'k' constant of 0.16 and 0.54 day^-1, respectively.

Biosynthesis and regulation of terpenoids from basidiomycetes: exploration of new research

Basidiomycetes, also known as club fungi, consist of a specific group of fungi. Basidiomycetes produce a large number of secondary metabolites, of which sesquiterpenoids, diterpenoids and triterpenoids are the primary components. However, these terpenoids tend to be present in low amounts, which makes it difficult to meet application requirements. Terpenoid biosynthesis improves the quantity of these secondary metabolites. However, current understanding of the biosynthetic mechanism of terpenoids in basidiomycetes is insufficient. Therefore, this article reviews the latest research on the biosynthesis of terpenoids in basidiomycetes and summarizes the CYP450 involved in the biosynthesis of terpenoids in basidiomycetes. We also propose opportunities and challenges for chassis microbial heterologous production of terpenoids in basidiomycetes and provide a reference basis for the better development of basidiomycete engineering.

Removal of two cytostatic drugs: bleomycin and vincristine by white-rot fungi - a sorption study

PURPOSE

Cytostatic drugs cannot be easily removed by conventional sewage treatment plants, resulting in their ultimate release into aquatic systems where they become a threat. Thus, new technologies which can be used to eliminate these drugs more effectively before they enter the environment are increasingly important. Fungal treatment of wastewaters is a promising and environmentally friendly technology for pharmaceutical remediation. The aim of this work is to examine the biosorption of two cytostatics, bleomycin and vincristine, in the aqueous solution by fungal biomass.

METHODS

Five white-rot fungi were used in this study: Fomes fomentarius (CB13), Hypholoma fasciculare (CB15), Phyllotopsis nidulans (CB14), Pleurotus ostreatus (BWPH), and Trametes versicolor (CB8). Tests were conducted on different types of biomass (alive and dead - autoclaved) and in various physico-chemical conditions: varied drug concentrations (5, 10 and 15 mg/L), temperatures (from 15.4 to 29.6 °C), and pH (from 3.2 to 8.8).

RESULTS

The results showed that among alive biomass, T. versicolor (CB8) had the greatest sorption ability for bleomycin and P. nidulans (CB14) worked best for vincristine. The tested sorption process could be described by a pseudo-second order kinetics model. Sorption equilibrium studies demonstrated that for bleomycin Redlich-Peterson, while for vincristine Langmuir model fitted best. The thermodynamic studies showed that the sorption process was endothermic chemisorption for bleomycin, and exothermic physisorption for vincristine. For both drugs the sorption ability increased with an increase of the pH value.

CONCLUSION

The biosorption on fungal biomass is a favorable alternative to conventional wastewater treatment processes for anticancer drug removal.