The presence of fluoroquinolone based antimicrobials in natural waters represents a significant emerging environmental problem. In this study the suitability of a novel alkaline bacterial laccase, SilA, from Streptomyces ipomoeae to degrade two key antimicrobials, Ciprofloxacin and Norfloxacin under alkaline conditions in the presence of natural mediators was assessed. Results showed that only the selected SilA-acetosyringone system was able to degrade more than 90% of both fluoroquinolones. HPLC analysis of the degradation products obtained after enzyme treatment confirmed the disappearance of the antimicrobials and the mediator after 24 h. The time course of the degradation showed that during the first 4 h a 75% of degradation of fluoroquinolones was detected while the mediator remained stable. A concomitant appearance of new chromatographic peaks derived from the fluoroquinolones and/or the mediator was detected. Moreover, toxicity assays demonstrated that the SilA-acetosyringone system was able to reduce the toxicity of Ciprofloxacin and Norfloxacin by 90 and 70%, respectively. In conclusion, these findings support the suitability of a low cost and environmentally friendly strategy based on the SilA-acetosyringone system for a primary treatment of contaminated alkaline wastewaters with this type of emerging pollutants.
Keywords: Biodegradation; Detoxification; Fluoroquinolones; Laccase-mediator system; Streptomyces.