Bisphenol A degradation by Lactiplantibacillus plantarum AM employing Fenton chemistry.

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Gram-positive facultative anaerobic strain with antioxidant potential, can degrade and detoxify xenobiotic compounds. In this study, we evaluated Lpb. plantarum AM for its antioxidant properties, bisphenol A (BPA) degradation, and Lpb. plantarum AM mediated-Fenton reaction for BPA degradation. ≤ 43.8 µmol BPA did not affect the growth of Lpb. plantarum AM even in glucose-deficient MRS medium. BPA at ≥ 52.56 µmol significantly inhibited growth (p < 0.001) of Lpb. plantarum AM and delayed transition from the logarithmic (log) phase to the stationary phase. When ≥ 52.56 µmol BPA was added at 0 or 4 h, the transition from log phase was delayed from 12 h (control) to 16 h, and at 61.32 µmol BPA further to 18 h. Lpb. plantarum AM produced 1 µmol cell-associated H2O2 at 20 h and > 45 nmol FeII within 26 h. Lpb. plantarum AM is capable of performing extracellular Fenton reactions. In the presence of FeCl3Lpb. plantarum AM caused disappearance of the characteristic BPA absorption peaks and emergence of new spectral peaks (∼258-265 nm), suggesting BPA transformation. Functional and comparative genomics revealed genes associated with oxidativestress management, antioxidant defence, and H2O2-production, supporting the experimental observed phenotype. Overall, Lpb. plantarum AM demonstrated strong antioxidant and Fenton-driven BPA-transforming capabilities, highlighting its potential as a sustainable microbial candidate for detoxification of xenobiotic pollutants.