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Biodegradation of Tetracycline Under Various Conditions and Effects on Microbial Community

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Abstract

Five hundred tons of antibiotics are consumed yearly in the world. In this study, the biodegradation characteristics of tetracycline (TET) under nitrate-reducing, sulfate-reducing, and methanogenic conditions were determined by batch tests. Also, effects of TET on mixed microbial cultures were revealed by microbiological analysis. In this scope, gas generation and composition, dissolved organic carbon, and electron acceptor concentrations were monitored during 120 days. Additionally, changes on quantities of specific microbial groups were determined by Q-PCR. TET showed non-biodegradable behavior under nitrate- and sulfate-reducing conditions, whereas slightly biodegradable behavior under methanogenic conditions approximately 46 % degradation. The effects of TET on the abundance of mixed culture varied according to taxonomic units. Sulfate-reducing bacteria were inhibited by TET, while archaeal, bacterial, and methanogenic populations were not affected significantly.

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded by The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environmental Engineering Department, Istanbul Technical University, Maslak, 34469, Istanbul, Turkey

    Zeynep Cetecioglu, Samet Azman & Orhan Ince

  2. Institute of Environmental Sciences, Bogazici University, Rumelihisarüstü-Bebek, 34342, Istanbul, Turkey

    Bahar Ince

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  1. Zeynep Cetecioglu
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  2. Bahar Ince
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  3. Samet Azman
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  4. Orhan Ince
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Correspondence to Zeynep Cetecioglu.

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Cetecioglu, Z., Ince, B., Azman, S. et al. Biodegradation of Tetracycline Under Various Conditions and Effects on Microbial Community. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 172, 631–640 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12010-013-0559-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12010-013-0559-6

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