Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 8, 2026
09:49
Prospecting Microbial Strains for Bioremediation and Probiotics Development for Metaorganism Research and Preservation
Published on: October 31, 2019
23.1K
Designing at-source and end-of-pipe biotechnologies to tackle pharmaceutical pollution
Vladimir Akhrimenko1, Klaus Kümmerer2, Sixto Malato3
1Basque Sustainable Pharmacy and Biotherapy Research Group, School of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain; Bioaraba Health Research Institute, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
Trends in Biotechnology
|December 19, 2025
Summary
Pharmaceutical pollution from active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) threatens ecosystems. Effective solutions require source reduction, advanced wastewater treatment, and leveraging biotechnologies for environmental protection.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Ecotoxicology
- Public Health
Background:
- Pharmaceutical pollution is a widespread environmental issue.
- Active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), metabolites, and excipients pose risks to public health and ecosystems.
- European legislation now identifies certain APIs as priority pollutants, mandating advanced wastewater treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To address the challenge of pharmaceutical pollution.
- To highlight the need for integrated solutions.
- To explore the potential of emerging biotechnologies.
Main Methods:
- Review of current environmental legislation and challenges.
- Analysis of pharmaceutical pollution sources and impacts.
- Identification of potential technological solutions.
Main Results:
- Pharmaceutical pollution is a significant environmental threat.
- A combination of at-source and end-of-pipe strategies is necessary.
- Advanced biotechnologies offer promising but underexplored avenues for mitigation.
Conclusions:
- Addressing pharmaceutical pollution requires a multi-faceted approach.
- Current wastewater treatment must be enhanced.
- Further research and application of biotechnologies like gene engineering and biosensors are crucial for effective pharmaceutical pollution control.
Keywords:
advanced wastewater treatmentbenign by designecotoxicologyomicspharmaceutical pollutionphytoremediationMore Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
00:46Bioremediation
22.0K
Bioremediation is the use of prokaryotes, fungi, or plants to remove pollutants from the environment. This process has been used to remove harmful toxins in groundwater as a byproduct of agricultural run-off and also to clean up oil spills.
22.0K
01:30Environmental Applications of Microorganisms
903
Microorganisms play a pivotal role in maintaining ecosystem balance by recycling essential elements such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, as well as supporting processes like bioremediation, wastewater treatment, and biofuel production.Microbes in Elemental CyclesIn the carbon cycle, microorganisms decompose organic matter, releasing carbon dioxide via aerobic respiration. This carbon dioxide is subsequently used by photosynthetic organisms to synthesize organic compounds, closing the...
903
01:28Biological Methods for Microbial Control
758
Biological agents offer an effective means of controlling microbial growth by leveraging natural processes like predation, competition, and the secretion of antimicrobial substances.Predatory bacteria such as Bdellovibrio species target and kill pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli. They are widely used in poultry farms to control infections. Myxococcus species help combat plant-pathogenic fungi. These naturally occurring predators serve as eco-friendly alternatives to chemical pesticides and...
758
01:16Drug Biotransformation: Overview
3.5K
Pharmaceutical substances known as xenobiotics are predominantly lipophilic and nonionized. This enables them to permeate lipid bilayers, such as cell membranes, and interact with intracellular target receptors. Lipophilic drugs have an advantage in crossing biological barriers and reaching their intended sites of action. However, lipophilic drugs often have a restricted capacity for renal expulsion or elimination from the body. When these drugs enter the kidneys and undergo glomerular...
3.5K
01:22Biopharmaceutical Factors Influencing Drug Product Design: Overview
218
Rational drug product design integrates knowledge of the drug’s physicochemical properties, formulation components, manufacturing techniques, and intended route of administration. Each factor influences the drug’s performance, including how it is released, absorbed, and eliminated in the body.The physicochemical properties of a drug—such as solubility, stability, and particle size—affect its compatibility with excipients and the choice of dosage form. Excipients, though...
218
01:22Bioavailability Enhancement: Determination and Conceptual Approaches in Overcoming Bioavailability Problems
152
Body:Bioavailability is a critical pharmacological concept that measures the extent and rate at which an active drug ingredient or therapeutic moiety enters the systemic circulation, remaining unchanged. It's a pivotal factor in determining a drug's efficacy and safety.The Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) plays an essential role in drug development by categorizing drugs into four classes based on their solubility and permeability. This classification aids in understanding drug...
152