Molecular identification of a Pseudomonas putida strain isolated from Machángara river (Quito-Ecuador) tolerant to carbamazepine

Abstract

Carbamazepine is a molecule used to treat specific pathologies; however, it has become an emerging contaminant that is dangerous to the environment. In marine species and humans, it causes cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, reproductive disorders, and infertility. Thus, this pollutant has been subjected to conventional wastewater treatment, achieving low purification. In Ecuador, only some studies are related to emerging contaminants, and these show quantification but not treatment. Therefore, the implementation of biological techniques is necessary. In this sense, the research aimed to identify a bacteria in water samples from the Machangara River with carbamazepine tolerance. Morphological, biochemical, and molecular characteristics identified bacteria. The results indicated the presence of several microorganisms, including molecularly identified Pseudomonas putida. This was tolerant to carbamazepine concentrations of 15, 50, and 100 mg/L, with higher growth at the first concentration. This information can be valuable in wastewater treatment investigations. Keywords: carbamazepine, degradation, Machangara river, Pseudomonas putida.