Microalgae efficient triclosan degraders

By: Felicia Z. Paredez

Biodegradation of triclosan by three microalgae species, a proposed metabolic pathway. Image taken from Wang et al. 2018.

Triclosan is an antimicrobial agent found in household products. This agent is also an environmental contaminant that ends up in wastewater treatment plants. As a result, the study of the biodegradation of this contaminant by microbes has been increasing. In a study conducted by Wang and colleagues, these researchers were able to determine triclosan metabolites and possible metabolic pathways of biodegradation of this contaminant in these microalgae species. In this study it was found that a high removal rate of triclosan was exhibited by all three-species subjected to triclosan treatment. The reason for this was uptake of triclosan by one the of the algae species and biotransformation by the other two. The common metabolites found were dichlorohydroxydiphenyl ether and 2,4-DCP and they were mostly produced from reductive chlorination, hydrolysis, and hydroxylation reactions from phase I of triclosan degradation. This study outlines important steps to understanding the mechanisms of biodegradation and possible metabolites produced by microbes in the process. This can help improve the techniques used to bioremediate different environments.

Original Article

Wang S, Poon K, Cai Z. Removal and metabolism of triclosan by three different microalgal species in aquatic environment. J Haz Mat 2018; e-pub ahead of print 5 September 2017, doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2017.09.004.