Multi-faceted analysis of bacterial transformation of nitrofurantoin

Excessive presence of antibiotics and their residues can be dangerous to the natural environment. To reduce this neg-ative effect, efficient strategies to remove them from the ecosystem are required. This study aimed to explore the po-tential of bacterial strains to degrade nitrofurantoin (NFT). Single strains isolated from contaminated areas, namely Stenotrophomonas acidaminiphila N0B, Pseudomonas indoloxydans WB, and Serratia marcescens ODW152 were employed in this study. Degradation efficiency and dynamic changes within the cells during NFT biodegradation were investi-gated. For this purpose, atomic force microscopy, flow cytometry, zeta potential, and particle size distribution mea-surements were applied. Serratia marcescens ODW152 showed the highest performance in removal of NFT (96 % in 28 days). The AFM images revealed modifications of cell shape and surface structure induced by NFT. Zeta potential showed significant variations during biodegradation. Cultures exposed to NFT had a broader size distribution than the control cultures due to increased cells agglomeration or aggregation. 1-Aminohydantoin and semicarbazide were de-tected as nitrofurantoin biotransformation products. They showed increased cytotoxicity toward bacteria as deter-mined by spectroscopy and flow cytometry. Results of this study suggest that nitrofurantoin biodegradation leads to formation of stable transformation products that significantly affect the physiology and structure of bacterial cells.

Automated summary

The excessive presence of antibiotics and their residues can pose a danger to the natural environment. This study aimed to explore the potential of bacterial strains in degrading nitrofurantoin (NFT) and reducing its negative impact. Single strains isolated from contaminated areas were utilized, and their degradation efficiency and dynamic changes in NFT biodegradation were investigated. Serratia marcescens ODW152 showed the highest performance in NFT removal, with significant modifications observed in cell shape and surface structure. The study suggests that nitrofurantoin biodegradation produces stable transformation products that significantly affect bacterial cell physiology and structure.