Leveraging the Pharmaceutical Area Through Multidisciplinary Synergy: From Prescription to Disintegration

Abstract

The environmental implications of pharmaceutical industry drawn the attention of environmental scientists, prompting multidisciplinary collaborations toward sustainable solutions. Driven by the urgent need to combat the environmental persistence of pharmaceuticals, scholars across diverse disciplines including pharmaceutical sciences, biotechnology and chemical engineering are collaborating to develop effective solutions. Biotechnology uses microbes' natural breakdown power, while chemical engineering creates ideal conditions for efficient drug removal. In this work, a transdisciplinary approach was employed to study a model system comprising ibuprofen and a laccase enzyme. By empowering researchers with a comprehensive understanding of multidisciplinary approaches, the project seeks to optimize reaction conditions for maximized drug degradation efficiency, contributing to environmental protection and cleaner water sources.