Fungi for Sustainable Pharmaceutical Remediation: Enzymatic Innovations, Challenges, and Applications—A Review

The extensive use of pharmaceuticals in human and veterinary medicine has led to their persistent environmental release, posing ecological and public health risks. Major sources include manufacturing effluents, excretion, aquaculture, and improper disposal, contributing to bioaccumulation and ecotoxicity. Mycoremediation is the fungal-mediated biodegradation of pharmaceuticals, offers a promising and sustainable approach to mitigate pharmaceutical pollution. Studies have reported that certain fungal species, including Trametes versicolor and Pleurotus ostreatus, can degrade up to 90% of pharmaceutical contaminants, such as diclofenac, carbamazepine, and ibuprofen, within days to weeks, depending on environmental conditions. Fungi produce a range of extracellular enzymes, such as laccases and peroxidases, alongside intracellular enzymes like cytochrome P450 monooxygenases, which catalyze the transformation of complex pharmaceutical compounds. These enzymes play an essential role in modifying, detoxifying, and mineralizing xenobiotics, thereby reducing their environmental persistence and toxicity. The effectiveness of fungal biotransformation is influenced by factors such as substrate specificity, enzyme stability, and environmental conditions. Optimal degradation typically occurs at pH 4.5–6.0 and temperatures of 20–30 °C. Recent advancements in enzyme engineering, immobilization techniques, and bioreactor design have improved catalytic efficiency and process feasibility. However, scaling up fungal-based remediation systems for large-scale applications remains a challenge. Addressing these limitations with synthetic biology, metabolic engineering, and other biotechnological innovations could further enhance the enzymatic degradation of pharmaceuticals. This review highlights the enzymatic innovations, applications, and challenges of pharmaceutical mycoremediation, emphasizing the potential of fungi as a transformative solution for sustainable pharmaceutical waste management.