Biodegradation of sulfamethazine by Trametes versicolor: Removal from sewage sludge and identification of intermediate products by UPLC–QqTOF-MS

Degradation of the sulfonamide sulfamethazine (SMZ) by the white-rot fungus Trametes versicolor was assessed. Elimination was achieved to nearly undetectable levels after 20h in liquid medium when SMZ was added at 9mgL−1. Experiments with purified laccase and laccase-mediators resulted in almost complete removal. On the other hand, inhibition of SMZ degradation was observed when piperonilbutoxide, a cytochrome P450-inhibitor, was added to the fungal cultures. UPLC–QqTOF-MS analysis allowed the identification and confirmation of 4 different SMZ degradation intermediates produced by fungal cultures or purified laccase: desulfo-SMZ, N4-formyl-SMZ, N4-hydroxy-SMZ and desamino-SMZ; nonetheless SMZ mineralization was not demonstrated with the isotopically labeled sulfamethazine-phenyl-13C6 after 7days. Inoculation of T. versicolor to sterilized sewage sludge in solid-phase systems showed complete elimination of SMZ and also of other sulfonamides (sulfapyridine, sulfathiazole) at real environmental concentrations, making this fungus an interesting candidate for further remediation research. ►Degradation of sulfamethazine by Trametes versicolor was evaluated. ►The laccase enzymatic system and cytochrome P-450 were involved in the degradation. ►Four different degradation products of sulfamethazine were identified and confirmed. ►The molecular structures and masses of the metabolites were accurately calculated. ►Full elimination of sulfamethazine was observed in regular sewage sludge.