Evaluation of the degradation of acetaminophen by the filamentous fungus Scedosporium dehoogii using carbon-based modified electrodes

Abstract

The nonpathogenic filamentous fungus Scedosporium dehoogii was used for the first time to study the electrochemical biodegradation of acetaminophen (APAP). A carbon fiber microelectrode (CFME) modified by nickel tetrasulfonated phthalocyanine (p-NiTSPc) and a carbon paste electrode (CPE) modified with coffee husks (CH) were prepared to follow the kinetics of APAP biodegradation. The electrochemical response of APAP at both electrodes was studied by cyclic voltammetry and square wave voltammetry. p-NiTSPc-CFME was suitable to measure high concentrations of APAP, whereas CH–CPE gave rise to high current densities but was subject to the passivation phenomenon. p-NiTSPc–CFME was then successfully applied as a sensor to describe the kinetics of APAP biodegradation: this was found to be of first order with a kinetics constant of 0.11 day⁻¹ (at 25 °C) and a half-life of 6.30 days. APAP biodegradation by the fungus did not lead to the formation of p-aminophenol (PAP) and hydroquinone (HQ) that are carcinogenic, mutagenic, and reprotoxic (CMR).

Graphical Abstract

The kinetics of APAP biodegradation, followed by a poly-nickel tetrasulfonated phtalocyanine modified carbon fiber microelectrode

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