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Effect of ciprofloxacin on methane production and anaerobic microbial community

Do Thi Mai1, David C Stuckey2, Seungdae Oh3

  • 1Interdisciplinary Graduate School, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore; Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute, Advanced Environmental Biotechnology Centre, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637141, Singapore.

Bioresource Technology
|April 21, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Ciprofloxacin (CIP) at concentrations of 0.5-50 mg/L inhibits anaerobic digestion by disrupting organic removal and methanogenic activity. Specific bacteria crucial for these processes were found to be underrepresented in CIP-exposed sludge.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Science
  • Microbiology
  • Biotechnology

Background:

  • Anaerobic digestion is a key process for waste treatment and biogas production.
  • Ciprofloxacin (CIP) is a widely used antibiotic that can enter wastewater streams.
  • The impact of CIP on anaerobic sludge microbial communities and functions requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of various CIP concentrations on anaerobic sludge.
  • To determine the fate of CIP in anaerobic digestion systems.
  • To understand how CIP affects microbial community structure and function.

Main Methods:

  • Exposure of anaerobic sludge to a range of CIP concentrations (0.05-50 mg/L).
  • Monitoring of organic removal efficiency and methanogenic activity.
  • Analysis of volatile fatty acids and soluble microbial products (SMPs).
  • Assessment of microbial community diversity and specific bacterial populations.

Main Results:

  • CIP concentrations of 0.5-50 mg/L significantly inhibited organic removal and methanogenic activity.
  • Increased accumulation of volatile fatty acids and low molecular weight SMPs, including p-cresol and nitrogen-containing compounds, were observed.
  • While overall species diversity remained similar, key bacteria like Syntrophobacter and Methanothrix were underrepresented.

Conclusions:

  • Environmentally relevant concentrations of CIP disrupt crucial processes in anaerobic digestion.
  • CIP negatively impacts microbial communities essential for acetogenesis and methanogenesis.
  • Findings have significant implications for the design and operation of anaerobic systems treating CIP-contaminated wastewater.
Keywords:
Anaerobic digestionBacteria and archaeaCiprofloxacinMicrobial ecologySoluble microbial products

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