Characterization and Degradation of Antibiotic Cefadroxil by Selected Bacterial Isolates

Abstract

Aim: Antibiotic contamination in the environment is a growing concern, especially with commonly used drugs like Cefadroxil. This study aimed to isolate and characterize bacterial strains capable of degrading Cefadroxil under optimized laboratory conditions. Method: Soil samples were collected from different locations, and bacterial isolates were enriched and screened for their ability to tolerate and degrade Cefadroxil at various concentrations. Results: Among the isolates, CFR-10 showed the highest degradation efficiency, achieving 50% degradation after 72 hours. Morphological, biochemical, and molecular studies confirmed CFR-10 as closely related to Enterobacter cloacae. The bacterial isolates also demonstrated resistance to several heavy metals, indicating their ability to survive under stressful conditions. Conclusion: This study highlights the potential use of indigenous bacterial strains for the bioremediation of Cefadroxil-contaminated environments.