Abstract

Isolation, identification and toxicological monitoring of new microbial consortia to degrade PPCP´s (pharmaceuticals and personal care products) have direct applications to improve the quality of effluents in WWTP (wastewater treatment plants). In this work, we present isolation and molecular identification of a microbial strain degrading frequently detected compounds in effluent water such as naproxen (analgesic) and carbamazepine (anticonvulsant), as well as detoxification evaluation by a zebrafish embryos biomodel. Naproxen was completely removed from real contaminated water samples within 7 days of culture by Serratia sp. However, the microbial strain was unable to remove carbamazepine remaining constant until the analysis finished. Toxicity test showed that naproxen elimination reduces mortality zebrafish embryos at 28%. As conclusion, Serratia sp. and possible other Enterobacteriaceae could be used in bioreactors and purifying plant biodiscs in order to achieve naproxen and probably others PPCPs total elimination from effluent prior being poured into rivers or lakes.

INTRODUCTION
PPCP´s (pharmaceuticals and personal care products) are a large group of chemicals covering all pharmaceuticals for both human and animal use, diagnostic agents, vitamin supplements and other fine chemicals such as fragrances or sunscreens. In the 90s they were known as emerging water contaminants (1) due to the potential impact in different environmental compartments (2). Most of PPCP´s found in wastewater treatment plants are hormones (30%), analgesics and anti-inflammatory (20%) and antibiotics (9%) (3). Ibuprofen, diclofenac or carbamazepine are some examples of chemicals found in drinking water (4). A plan ensuring the quality of water is required for all the competent authorities of each member state at 2015 by Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC). Nevertheless, a maximum limit of these compounds present in drinking water has not been setting yet by the European Union. Therefore, PPCP´s are of great interest both at scientific and social levels. Urban wastewater is one of the polluting environment paths due to an assimilation lack and subsequent excretion by human body, elimination of chemicals down the drain or by urban ...