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Steering algal metabolic flux via EPS-mediated interfacial buffering for resilient pharmaceutical remediation in microplastic-polluted hotspots
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Scientists found that tiny algae can actually help clean up common painkillers like ibuprofen and naproxen from water, and surprisingly, microplastics (usually seen as pollution) can boost this cleanup process by acting as extra "sponges" that trap the drugs. The algae's slimy protective coating plays a key role too—it helped the algae handle ibuprofen better but made naproxen more toxic to them, showing that these interactions are complex rather than one-size-fits-all. This matters because it points toward cheaper, greener ways to filter out pharmaceutical residues from wastewater, which is important since these drugs and
Microalgae-based natural attenuation is regarded as a low carbon alternative to traditional water treatments in decentralized water infrastructure. However, in its practical application for pharmaceuticals removal, it is often regulated by the ubiquitous microplastics (MPs) and algal extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), yet the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated the differential responses of Euglena sp. to ibuprofen (IBU) and naproxen (NPX) under MP-EPS influence. Our results reveal that EPS servers as a critical regulator, which reversed IBU's growth inhibition while exacerbated NPX's toxicity in EPS-intact (EPS-C) treatments, highlighting that EPS dictates whether MP-pharmaceutical interactions shift between synergism and antagonism. Metabolomics uncovered pollutant-specific pathways, IBU removal with the efficiency increased from 58.9% to 79.7% in the presence of MPs was driven by algal metabolic reprogramming, specifically prioritizing the linoleic acid metabolism via the lipoxygenase pathway for active degradation. Conversely, NPX attenuation relied predominantly on passive adsorption (from 46.4% to 60.0% with MPs), with its toxicity triggering glycerophospholipid metabolism for membrane repair rather than metabolic breakdown. The remediator or victim status of the algal cell was determined by energy allocation. IBU induced stress triggered a compensatory metabolic shift, while NPX caused a carbon flux shift toward lipid repair, limiting energy availability for pollutant degradation. Furthermore, MPs (5 mg L) acted as auxiliary adsorbents alongside the EPS framework, synergistically enhancing pharmaceutical sequestration. These findings demonstrate that EPS-MP-algae interactions are not generic but constitute a structure-dependent biophysical-biochemical cascade, providing a new metabolic framework for assessing the ecological risks of co-contaminants in microalgae-based remediation.
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Response of Chlorella sorokiniana to Co-Exposure to Sulfamethoxazole and Polystyrene Microplastics: Toxicity Effect, Defense and Biodegradation Mechanism
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Scientists found that when a common antibiotic (sulfamethoxazole) and microplastic particles pollute water together, algae actually break down the antibiotic more effectively than when the antibiotic is alone—and the leftover breakdown products are less toxic than the original antibiotic. This matters because it suggests some algae in rivers and lakes could help naturally clean up antibiotic pollution even in microplastic-contaminated water, potentially reducing the spread of drug residues that can affect ecosystems and, indirectly, the water humans rely on.
Preferential adsorption of medium molecular weight proteins in extracellular polymeric substance alleviates toxicity of small-sized microplastics to Skeletonema costatum
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Scientists discovered that natural substances secreted by marine algae form a coating on microplastic surfaces that actually reduces the toxicity of the smallest particles. This coating, made of proteins and sugars, changed the surface properties of the microplastics and helped the algae grow better despite the pollution. The finding suggests that natural biological processes in the ocean may partially buffer the harmful effects of microplastics, though this protection may vary with particle size.
Interactive toxicity effects of metronidazole, diclofenac, ibuprofen, and differently functionalized nanoplastics on marine algae Chlorella sp.
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Researchers examined the combined toxicity of common pharmaceutical drugs and nanoplastics with different surface coatings on marine algae. They found that the interaction between drugs and nanoplastics produced effects ranging from additive to synergistic, depending on the specific combination, with amine-coated nanoplastics generally causing more harm. The study highlights that real-world mixtures of pharmaceutical and plastic pollutants in oceans may pose greater risks to marine life than either contaminant alone.
Biocatalytic strategies for the degradation of emerging micropollutants: From nanoplastics to pharmaceuticals
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Researchers demonstrated that specific bacteria can break down both nanoplastics and common pharmaceuticals such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, which frequently contaminate waterways. Encasing these bacteria in alginate beads improved their stability and reusability, pointing toward practical bioremediation tools for tackling multiple classes of emerging pollutants simultaneously.
Biocatalytic strategies for the degradation of emerging micropollutants: From nanoplastics to pharmaceuticals
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers demonstrated that specific bacteria can break down both nanoplastics and common pharmaceuticals such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, which frequently contaminate waterways. Encasing these bacteria in alginate beads improved their stability and reusability, pointing toward practical bioremediation tools for tackling multiple classes of emerging pollutants simultaneously.
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