Biodegradation of pharmaceutical compounds in industrial wastewater using biological treatment : a comprehensive overview

The indirect ingestion of pharmaceuticals in water has been proven to have adverse effects on humans according to a number of studies. Pharmaceutical compounds (PhCs) are found in open waters, and drinking these types of waters primarily from raw sewage and wastewater effluents. Effective pharmaceutical removal during drinking water and wastewater treatment is a crucial part of ensuring that pharmaceuticals are effectively removed. There are various excipients and PhCs that may have chronic effects on different communities. Examples include neuroprotective agents, NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), diuretics, and antibiotics. Novel procedures such as biodegradation may assist in minimizing or preventing these effects. There is a correlation between the concentrations of each drug group and the seasons or common diseases in particular areas, which emphasizes the need to eliminate pharmaceutical compounds. Organic compounds are broken down into smaller and simpler molecules through biodegradation, which uses enzymes produced by living microbes. The biodegradation of pharmaceuticals usually removes them from the environment, especially those resistant to hydrolysis and photodegradation. Many microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and algae, can perform this function. As a result, they are integral parts of the pharmaceutical degradation in the environment. Also, the degradation of PhCs from pharmaceutical wastewater (PW) can be achieved using various biological processes, such as membrane bioreactors (MBRs), conventional activated sludge treatment (CAS), moving bed biofilm reactors (MBBRs), and constructed wetlands. In this review article, the conventional and advanced methods of removing pharmaceutical compounds from surfaces in recent decade studies (2010-2022) are discussed.