Biotransformation of acyclovir by an enriched nitrifying culture

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

25 Scopus Citations
View graph of relations

Author(s)

Detail(s)

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)25-32
Journal / PublicationChemosphere
Volume170
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2017
Externally publishedYes

Abstract

This work evaluates the biodegradation of the antiviral drug acyclovir by an enriched nitrifying culture during ammonia oxidation and without the addition of ammonium. The study on kinetics was accompanied with the structural elucidation of biotransformation products through batch biodegradation experiments at two different initial levels of acyclovir (15 mg L−1 and 15 μg L−1). The pseudo first order kinetic studies of acyclovir in the presence of ammonium indicated the higher degradation rates under higher ammonia oxidation rates than those constant degradation rates in the absence of ammonium. The positive correlation was found between acyclovir degradation rate and ammonia oxidation rate, confirming the cometabolism of acyclovir by the enriched nitrifying culture in the presence of ammonium. Formation of the product carboxy-acyclovir (P239) indicated the main biotransformation pathway was aerobic oxidation of the terminal hydroxyl group, which was independent on the metabolic type (i.e. cometabolism or metabolism). This enzyme-linked reaction might be catalyzed by monooxygenase from ammonia oxidizing bacteria or heterotrophs. The formation of carboxy-acyclovir was demonstrated to be irrelevant to the acyclovir concentrations applied, indicating the revealed biotransformation pathway might be the dominant removal pathway of acyclovir in wastewater treatment. © 2016 Elsevier Ltd

Research Area(s)

  • Acyclovir, Ammonia oxidizing bacteria, Biotransformation, Cometabolism, Nitrification, Wastewater treatment

Bibliographic Note

Publication details (e.g. title, author(s), publication statuses and dates) are captured on an “AS IS” and “AS AVAILABLE” basis at the time of record harvesting from the data source. Suggestions for further amendments or supplementary information can be sent to [email protected].

Citation Format(s)

Biotransformation of acyclovir by an enriched nitrifying culture. / Xu, Yifeng; Yuan, Zhiguo; Ni, Bing-Jie.
In: Chemosphere, Vol. 170, 01.03.2017, p. 25-32.

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review