Review Article Open Access

Microbial Degradation of Paracetamol in Pharmaceutical Wastewater: A Review

Yahya Seun Yisau1, Naeif Hamoud Al-Makishah1 and Mohamed Abou El-Fetouh Barakat1,2
  • 1 Department of Environment, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
  • 2 Department of Minning Technology, Central Metallurgical Research and Development Institute, Helwan, Cairo, Egypt

Abstract

Paracetamol (4′-hydroxyacetanilide or N-acetyl-p-aminophenol or Acetaminophen) is an analgesic and antipyretic over-the-counter commonly used drug. Paracetamol has been detected in, surface waters, wastewater, and drinking water globally because of its significant utilization and unregulated release into the surroundings which have been a great concern and require an urgent approach. Microbial degradation of paracetamol is considered a desirable choice because of its lenient reaction conditions, low-cost operation, and eco-friendly process. This review focuses on summarizing the current processes for the biodegradation of paracetamol. The review includes characteristics and prevalent pharmaceutical drugs in wastewater, toxicity, degrading microorganisms, enzymes, and possible intermediates. Factors affecting the microbial degradation process of paracetamol such as growth pH, microbial cell concentration, temperature, and glucose have also been reported. The wide knowledge of biotransformation sequence and enzymatic processes engaged in the usage of paracetamol will help enable the optimization and simple design of microbial degradation techniques, which are expected to be more efficient in the treatment of paracetamol-contaminated wastewater.

American Journal of Environmental Sciences
Volume 20 No. 1, 2024, 31-47

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3844/ajessp.2024.31.47

Submitted On: 23 April 2024 Published On: 3 August 2024

How to Cite: Yisau, Y. S., Al-Makishah, N. H. & Barakat, M. A. E. (2024). Microbial Degradation of Paracetamol in Pharmaceutical Wastewater: A Review. American Journal of Environmental Sciences, 20(1), 31-47. https://doi.org/10.3844/ajessp.2024.31.47

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Keywords

  • Paracetamol
  • Wastewater
  • Microbial
  • Biodegradation Pathway