Work

Optimizing Bioremediation of β-Blockers: Cometabolic Transformation of Propranolol and Metoprolol by Raoultella terrigena BB2 and Stenotrophomonas terrae BB3

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: β-blockers are among the most widely prescribed cardiovascular drugs and are increasingly recognised as emerging pollutants due to their persistence, continuous release into aquatic environments, and potential toxicological effects on aquatic organisms. Their removal in conventional wastewater treatment plants is often inefficient, highlighting the need for biological remediation strategies. This study aimed to identify bacterial strains with the highest potential for the biotransformation of β-blockers. Therefore, we isolated and characterised bacterial strains capable of transforming two commonly used β-blockers—propranolol and metoprolol. The strains BB2 and BB3, which were able to transform propranolol and metoprolol, respectively, were identified as Raoultella terrigena and Stenotrophomonas terrae, respectively. BB2 showed broad metabolic versatility, utilising a wide range of carbon sources, whereas BB3 exhibited limited substrate utilisation. Antibiotic resistance profiling further distinguished the strains, with BB2 resistant across multiple antibiotic classes and BB3 largely sensitive. Co-metabolic assays demonstrated that supplementation with specific carbon and nitrogen sources markedly enhanced β-blocker removal, increasing propranolol biotransformation from 5% to 50% and metoprolol from 4% to 36%. These findings demonstrate the bioremediation potential of newly isolated strains and emphasise the importance of aligning microbial metabolic traits with nutrient conditions to improve pharmaceutical removal in wastewater treatment systems.

Source: Applied Sciences

DOI: 10.3390/app152212052

Authors: Anna Dzionek, Cansel Taskin, Piotr Siupka

Institution: University of Silesia in Katowice

Language: English

Topic: Pharmaceutical and Antibiotic Environmental Impacts

Subfield: Pollution

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Clean water and sanitation, Responsible consumption and production, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,896