Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.139494
Licence creative commons licence
Title (Primary) Metabolic pathways for biotransformation of benzalkonium compounds in fungal- and bacteria-based biofilm reactors
Author Larsson, Y.; Nikolausz, M.; Kisielius, V.; Møller, H.B.; Gosewinkel, U.; Bester, K.
Source Titel Journal of Hazardous Materials
Year 2025
Department MIBITECH
Volume 496
Page From art. 139494
Language englisch
Topic T7 Bioeconomy
Supplements https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0304389425024100-mmc1.docx
Keywords Biodegradation; Post-treatment; Metabolite identification; Manure; Wastewater
Abstract Benzalkonium compounds (BACs) are quaternary ammonium biocides widely used in healthcare and industrial animal production, resulting in high concentrations in manure and wastewater. While BAC biodegradation has been demonstrated in wastewater and soil, little is known about the relevant biodegradation pathways in multi-species biofilm systems. This study investigated BAC degradation pathways in three aerobic moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) systems: (1) a fungi (Trametes versicolor) inoculated reactor, and heterotrophic biofilm in (2) water, and (3) manure. We characterised transformation products and elucidated their fragmentation mechanisms to explain the spectra. ω-oxidation and β/α-oxidation dominated in the water-MBBR, whereas formation of benzyldimethylamine (BDMA), was observed only in the manure-MBBR, which was the only system hosting Pseudomonas and Aeromonas species. The water-MBBR microbial community showed a significant increase in abundance of Rhodococcus, known for ω- and β-oxidation, suggesting a role in BAC degradation. None of the five ARGs (sul1, sul2, qnrD, tetM, tetA) tested in this study were elevated in the systems by exposure to BAC. These results demonstrate that BACs are degradable in different aerobic biofilm systems via diverse pathways, influenced by microbial composition and matrix complexity. However, the different metabolites indicate towards complex risk assessments and bioremediation strategies.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=31191
Larsson, Y., Nikolausz, M., Kisielius, V., Møller, H.B., Gosewinkel, U., Bester, K. (2025):
Metabolic pathways for biotransformation of benzalkonium compounds in fungal- and bacteria-based biofilm reactors
J. Hazard. Mater. 496 , art. 139494 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.139494