Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Exploring the Potential of Bacterial Cellulose and Biosurfactant as Eco-Friendly Biosorbent for Pharmaceutical Contaminants

Version 1 : Received: 28 November 2023 / Approved: 28 November 2023 / Online: 28 November 2023 (10:24:29 CET)

A peer-reviewed article of this Preprint also exists.

Castanho, N.R.C.M.; de Marco, N.; Caetano, É.L.A.; Alves, P.L.M.; Pickler, T.B.; Ibanez, N.L.A.; Jozala, A.F.; Grotto, D. Exploring Bacterial Cellulose and a Biosurfactant as Eco-Friendly Strategies for Addressing Pharmaceutical Contaminants. Molecules 2024, 29, 448. Castanho, N.R.C.M.; de Marco, N.; Caetano, É.L.A.; Alves, P.L.M.; Pickler, T.B.; Ibanez, N.L.A.; Jozala, A.F.; Grotto, D. Exploring Bacterial Cellulose and a Biosurfactant as Eco-Friendly Strategies for Addressing Pharmaceutical Contaminants. Molecules 2024, 29, 448.

Abstract

The contamination of aquatic environments by pharmaceutical products consistently takes the attention of researchers due to the compounds' toxicity even at low concentrations. In response, we have developed an ecologically sustainable biosurfactant derived from a microorganism and incorporated into the bacterial cellulose. This bioproduct, along with the bacterial cellulose itself, was employed as a sorbent for pharmaceuticals (hormones and paracetamol) present in water. Bacterial cellulose membranes were generated through the cultivation of Gluconacetobacter xylinus ATCC 53582. The biosurfactant was produced by pre-inoculating Bacillus subtilis in a synthetic medium, followed by immersing the bacterial cellulose membranes in the biosurfactant solution, for incorporation. Tests were conducted using water experimentally contaminated with parace-tamol and 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), evaluating the biosurfactant's effect on bacterial cellulose sorption. Paracetamol levels were analyzed using spectrophotometry, and EE2 levels were as-sessed using high-performance liquid chromatography. In summary, bacterial cellulose exhibited superior adsorption for EE2 compared to paracetamol. The incorporation of biosurfactant onto bacterial cellulose reduced hormone adsorption but enhanced paracetamol sorption. Our findings indicated that adsorption is more effective with bacterial cellulose in its original and freeze-dried forms, without the incorporation of biosurfactant. Notably, we achieved more promising results in remediating the hormone EE2 compared to the paracetamol.

Keywords

Biosorption; Bacterial Cellulose; Biosurfactant; Hormones; micropollutants; Drug

Subject

Chemistry and Materials Science, Biomaterials

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