Bioremediation of Pharmaceutical Waste

Abstract

Industrial production of pharmaceutical products is rising simultaneously with the increase in the world population and urbanization. They are vital in the treatment, prevention and control of diseases. Although pharmaceutical products play a pivotal role worldwide, their disposal and subsequent toxic metabolites are causing havoc in the environment. Accumulation of these hazardous pollutants in the environment increases the chances of reaching and affecting communities. The potential toxicity of these compounds includes the ability to be mutagens, carcinogens and genotoxins. Remediation methods currently available to rejuvenate nature from such wastes are generally expensive and may convert one toxin to another. Therefore, the use of microorganisms for the bioremediation of pharmaceutical and toxic waste has become an economical and effective alternative. Bioremediation techniques further detoxify the waste into useful or harmless products that can be beneficial to the ecosystem

Keywords: Aerobic, Anaerobic, Analgesic, Antibiotics, Anti-inflammatory, Biodegradation, Bioremediation, Degradation, Ecosystem, Enzymes, Hormones, Metabolites, Microbes, Microbial remediation, Microorganisms, Pharmaceutical waste, Sewage, Sludge, Phenols, Wastewater.