Talaromyces sayulitensis as a Potential Bioremediation Agent for Metformin

Contamination of pharmaceutical compounds in aquatic environments is an escalating concern requiring urgent intervention. The widespread use and improper disposal of pharmaceuticals cause both acute and chronic effects on flora and fauna. This study investigates the response of the fungal isolate Talaromyces sayulitensis AJ8 to the antidiabetic drug metformin. The isolate demonstrated tolerance to metformin concentrations up to 100 mg L^-1 and achieved a degradation efficiency of 93.4% within 8 days. Enzymatic assays revealed significant lignin peroxidase, manganese peroxidase, and laccase activities, which contributed to the biodegradation process. The degradation of metformin was confirmed through multiple analytical techniques including High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy, and Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (LCMS). LCMS analysis identified two primary degradation products, methylamine and dimethylamine, indicating the breakdown pathway of metformin. Kinetic analysis showed that the degradation followed first-order kinetics with a high correlation coefficient (R² = 0.911). These results demonstrate that Talaromyces sayulitensis AJ8 is highly effective in removing metformin from contaminated water, highlighting its potential application in mycoremediation for pharmaceutical pollutant remediation.