Diclofenac, Ibuprofen, and Paracetamol Biodegradation: Overconsumed Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatories Drugs at COVID-19 Pandemic

Overview

Journal Front Microbiol

Specialty Microbiology

Date 2023 Nov 15

PMID 37965564

Authors

Beatriz L Ferreira

Dionisia P Ferreira

Swanny F Borges

Adriana M Ferreira

Fabricio H Holanda

Joao G M Ucella-Filho

Rodrigo Alves S Cruz

Willian G Birolli

Rafael Luque

Irlon M Ferreira

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The consumption of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have increased significantly in the last years (2020-2022), especially for patients in COVID-19 treatment. NSAIDs such as diclofenac, ibuprofen, and paracetamol are often available without restrictions, being employed without medical supervision for basic symptoms of inflammatory processes. Furthermore, these compounds are increasingly present in nature constituting complex mixtures discarded at domestic and hospital sewage/wastewater. Therefore, this review emphasizes the biodegradation of diclofenac, ibuprofen, and paracetamol by pure cultures or consortia of fungi and bacteria at , , and processes. Considering the influence of different factors (inoculum dose, pH, temperature, co-factors, reaction time, and microbial isolation medium) relevant for the identification of highly efficient alternatives for pharmaceuticals decontamination, since biologically active micropollutants became a worldwide issue that should be carefully addressed. In addition, we present a quantitative bibliometric survey, which reinforces that the consumption of these drugs and consequently their impact on the environment goes beyond the epidemiological control of COVID-19.

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