Advances in biodegradation of sulfonamides antibiotics in aerobic activated sludge system.

Author: Hang XU ¹ ; Sicheng ZHU ¹ ; Wenhui ZHANG ¹ ; Rong JI ¹
Author Information

1. State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, China.
Publication Type:Journal Article
Keywords: aerobic activated sludge; biodegradation mechanism; degradation pathway; sulfonamide antibiotics
MeSH: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Biodegradation, Environmental; Humans; Sewage; Sulfonamides; Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis*
From: Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2021;37(10):3459-3474
CountryChina
Language:Chinese
Abstract: Sulfonamides (SAs) are a kind of antibiotics widely used in medical treatment and livestock breeding. However, they have poor degradability in human and animal intestines, and will enter the sewage treatment system through the discharge of feces and urine. The aerobic activated sludge (AAS) in wastewater treatment plant was found to be able to effectively transform SAs. This article summarizes the advances in biodegradation of SAs in aerobic activated sludge system, which includes the biodegradation mechanisms, the main biodegradation pathways, and the environmental factors affecting the degradation efficiency. Challenges encountered in the current research were discussed, with the aim to provide scientific basis for optimizing the biodegradation of SAs in wastewater treatment process.