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Alina TROFIM, Fabiola PAVLOV. The usage of cyanobacteria in solving ecological problems
The accumulation of pharmaceutical residues, particularly psychotropic compounds such as benzodiazepines, has become an increasing concern for environmental and aquatic health. These substances are now frequently detected in surface waters and wastewater, where they pose significant ecotoxicological risks, especially to fish and aquatic biocoenoses. Traditional neutralisation methods, such as incineration, are not only economically burdensome but also contribute further to pollution, necessitating the development of alternative, sustainable solutions.
Recent research has identified cyanobacteria as promising agents in biotechnological recycling strategies, thanks to their capacity for metabolising environmental contaminants and producing valuable byproducts. In this context, the current study explores the use of Nostoc sp., a cyanobacterial strain, to recycle expired benzodiazepine-containing pharmaceutical waste. The primary objective was to determine the optimal concentration of benzodiazepines that supports cyanobacterial growth and to map their complete metabolic integration into the cellular and biochemical structures of the biomass.
Spectrophotometric analyses confirmed the biosynthesis of key structural biomolecules following exposure to benzodiazepine waste. The resulting biomass was further evaluated for its potential application as an agricultural biostimulant. Consistent with recent findings in the field, our results demonstrate that biomass derived from Nostoc sp. not only promotes plant development at a higher rate and speed but also offers an economically viable and ecologically safer alternative to traditional pharmaceutical waste disposal methods.
This study contributes to the advancement of microalgae- and cyanobacteria-based biostimulants (MCBs) by presenting a dual-function solution: detoxification of harmful pharmaceutical residues and their conversion into value-added products for sustainable agriculture. As the biostimulant sector continues to grow, integrating cyanobacterial recycling strategies may offer both environmental and economic benefits while reducing the pharmaceutical sector’s ecological footprint.
Keywords: Bioremediation, Cyanobacteria, Nostoc sp., Benzodiazepines, Diazepam, Xenobiotic compounds, Enzymatic detoxification, Agricultural reuse, Biotechnology.