Biotechnological adsorbents for removal of drugs from water: use of microorganisms, biopolymers, and composite materials

Abstract Emerging contaminants pose significant risks to environmental and human health, warranting detailed investigation. Among these contaminants, pharmaceuticals and their metabolites are of particular concern, as they are widely released into the ecosystem. Their chemical and biological stability contributes to their persistence in aquatic systems and limits the effectiveness of conventional water treatment technologies. Adsorption is one of the most commonly used advanced treatment techniques for removing pharmaceuticals due to its favorable operation and cost-effectiveness. The use of adsorbents obtained through biotechnological processes has emerged as a promising approach due to their efficiency and environmental sustainability. Promising biotechnological adsorbents include live microorganisms such as fungi, bacteria, and microalgae. Dead or inactive biomass also shows applicability, being considered lower in cost. Additionally, algae and adsorbents based on natural polymers obtained through biotechnological processes, such as sodium alginate, bacterial cellulose, and chitosan, stand out. Biocomposites enable the combination of desirable characteristics from more than one material, resulting in adsorbents with better performance and lower environmental impact compared to conventional alternatives. Moreover, adsorption processes employing biocomposites often operate under mild conditions, such as neutral pH and ambient temperature, further increasing their applicability. Thus, this literature review aims to explore the application of adsorption processes for the removal of pharmaceuticals from water using adsorbents derived from biotechnological processes.