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Montserrat Sarrà

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Bio

Montserrat Sarrá Adroguer has a degree in Chemistry (Industrial Chemistry Specialty) (UAB, 1988), PhD in Science, PhD Program in Biotechnology (UAB, 1994), Post-doc (1995) at the University of London (ACBE-UCL). She joined the BioremUAB research group in 1996. She has been a associate professor in the Department of Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering since 1998. She was coordinator of the Master’s in Environmental Studies (2006-2013) and coordinator of the PhD Program in Science and Environmental Technology (2006-2018) and currently coordinator of the Degree in Chemical Engineering (2019-present)

She has developed her research activity in the field of Environmental Engineering, mainly, in the development of water treatment processes using ligninolytic fungi for effluents with recalcitrant organic pollutants or those of industrial origin. Biological degradation is studied from the basic aspects such as enzymatic systems involved or the identification of the transformation products generated up to the design of the most suitable bioreactor for each application and all those aspects related to its scaling up. Examples of industrial pollutants studied are: textile dyes, brominated and organophosphate flame retardants, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, drugs, pesticides, … detected in effluents such as: dye baths from the textile industry, urban wastewater, hospital wastewater and agricultural waters, in particular wastewater from rinsing atomizers agricultural machinery.

Current research interests

  • The immobilization of the ligninolytic fungi in supports that allow to maintain the degradative activity during long periods of treatment.
  • The study of the adsorption of contaminants on the immobilization support and its degradation in a post-treatment
  • The identification of the bottlenecks that limit the use of fungi in industrial effluent treatment processes
  • The combination of fungal treatment with other treatment alternatives
  • The exploration of other applications of ligninolytic fungi in the field of circular bioeconomy.

Publications (since 2012)

  • Losantos D, Fernández-Arribas J, Pérez-Trujillo M, Eljarrat E, Sarrà M(*), Caminal G (2025).Degradation of organophosphate flame retardants by white-rot fungi: Degradation pathways and associated toxicity. Sci. Total Environ. 959, 178260  DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.178260. .
  • Tayar S, Villagra J, Gaju N, Martinez-Alonso M. Beltran-Flores E, Sarra M (*) (2025). Ganoderma lucidum immobilized on wood demonstrated persistence during the removal of OPFRs in a trickle bed bioreactor. Journal of Fungi. 11, 02, 0085 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/jof11020085. .
  • Beltrán-Flores E, Blánquez P, Gorito AM, Sarrà M (*), Silva AMT (2024). Combining fungal bioremediation and ozonation for rinse wastewater treatment. Sci. Total Environ. 912, 169198 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169198. .
  • Beltrán-Flores E, Sarrà M (*), Blánquez P (2024). A review on the management of rinse wastewater in the agricultural sector. Chemosphere. 352, 141283 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141283. .
  • Losantos D, Palacios O, Berge MJ, Sarrà M(*), Caminal G, Eustaquio A (2024). Novel method for fast-monitoring of OPFRs by LLE and GC-MS as a tool for assessing biodegradation: validation and applicability. Anal. Bioanal Chem. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-024-05154-7. .
  • Losantos D, Sarrà M (*), Caminal G (2024). Removal of TBP sorbed on wood by Trametes versicolor through solid-state fermentation. J. Hazard Mater. 480, 136066 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.136066. .
  • Losantos D, Sarrà M(*), Caminal G (2024). OPFR removal by white rot fungi:screening of removers and approach to removal mechanism. Frontiers in Fungal Biology, 1387541. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/ffunb.2024.1387541. .
  • Tayar S, Losantos D, Villagra J, Hu K, Shokrollahzadeh S, Sarra M (*), Gaju N, Martinez-Alonso M. (2024). Biodegradation of tri-butyl phosphate by Trametes versicolor and its application in a trickle bed reactor under non-sterile conditions. Environ. Technol & Innov. 36, 103867 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eti.2024.103867. .
  • Beltrán-Flores E, Pla-Ferriol M, Martínez-Alonso M, Gaju N, Sarrà M (*), Blánquez P (2023). Fungal treatment of agricultural washing wastewater: Comparison between two operational strategies.. J. Environ. Manage. 325, 116595. DOI: http://10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.116595. .
  • Beltrán-Flores E, Tayar S, Blánquez P (*), Sarrà M (2023). Effect of dissolved oxygen on the degradation activity and consumption capacity of white-rot fungi, J. Water Proc. Eng., 104105. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwpe.2023.104105 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwpe.2023.104105. .
  • Tan Z, Losantos D, Li Y, Sarrà M (*) (2023). Biotransformation of chloramphenicol by white-rot-fungi Trametes versicolor under cadmium stress. Bioresource Technol. 369, 128508 DOI: http://10.1016/j.biortech.2022.128508. .
  • Beltrán-Flores E, Pla-Ferriol M, Martínez-Alonso M, Gaju N, Blánquez P(*), Sarà M (2022). Fungal bioremediation of agricultural wastewater in a long-term treatment: biomass stabilization by immobilization strategy. J.Hazard. Mater. 439, 129614. DOI: http://10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129614. .
  • Beltrán-Flores E, Pla-Ferriol M, Martínez-Alonso M, Gaju N, Blánquez P(*), Sarrà M (2022). Fungal bioremediation of agricultural wastewater in a long-term treatment: biomass stabilization by immobilization strategy. J.Hazard. Mater. 439, 129614. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129614. .
  • Hu K, Sarrá M (*), Caminal G (2022). Oak wood provides suitable nutrients for long-term continuous pesticides removal by Trametes versicolor in a pilot plant trickle bed reactor. J. Clean. Prod. 380, 135059. DOI: http://10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.135059. .
  • Beltrán-Flores E, Sarrà M, Blánquez P (*) (2021). Pesticide bioremediation by Trametes versicolor: Application in a fixed-bed reactor, sorption contribution and bioregeneration. Sci.Total Environ. 794, 148386 DOI: http://10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148386. .
  • García-Vara M, Hu K, Postigo C (*), Olmo LL, Caminal G, Sarrà M, López de Alda M (2021). Remediation of bentazone contaminated water by Trametes versicolor: Characterization, identification of transformation products, and implementation in a trickle-bed reactor under non-sterile conditions. J. Hazard. Mater. 409, 124476. DOI: http://10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.124476. .
  • Hu K, Barbieri MV, López-García E, Postigo C, López de Alda M (*), Caminal G, Sarrà M (2021). Fungal degradation of selected medium to highly polar pesticides byTrametes versicolor: kinetics, biodegradation pathways,and ecotoxicity of treated waters. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry. DOI: http://10.1007/s00216-021-03267-x. .
  • Hu K, Sarrà M (*), Caminal G (2021). Comparison between two reactors using Trametes versicolor for agricultural wastewater treatment under non-sterile condition in sequencing batch mode. J. Environ. Manage. 293, 112859. DOI: http://10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112859. Repository.
  • Jaén-Gil A, Buttiglieria G, Benitoc A, Mir-Tutusaus JA, Gonzalez-Olmos R, Caminal G, Barceló D, Sarrà M,Rodriguez-Mozaz S (*) (2021). Combining biological processes with UV/H2O2 for metoprolol and metoprolol acid removal in hospital wastewater. Chem. Eng. J. 404, 126482. DOI: http://0.1016/j.cej.2020.126482. .
  • Mir-Tutusaus JA, Jaén-Gil A, Barceló D, Buttiglieri G, Gonzalez-Olmos R, Rodriguez-Mozaz S, Caminal G, Sarrà M (*) (2021). Prospects on coupling UV/H2O2 with activated sludge or a fungal treatment for the removal of pharmaceutically active compounds in real hospital wastewater.Sci.Total Environ. 773, 145374. DOI: http://10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.1453740048. Repository.
  • Beltrán-Flores E, Torán J, Caminal G, Blánquez P (*), Sarrà M (2020). The removal of diuron from agricultural wastewaters by Trametes versicolor immobilized on pinewood in simple channel reactors. Science of the Total Environment 728, 1–10. DOI: http://10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138414. .
  • Hu K, Peris A, Torán J, Eljarrat E, Sarrà M, Blánquez P, Caminal G (*) (2020) Exploring the degradation capability of Trametes versicolor on selected hydrophobic pesticides through setting sights simultaneously on culture broth and biological matrix. Chemosphere. 250, 126293 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.126293%20. .
  • Hu K, Torán MJ, López-García E, Barbieri MV, Postigo C, López de Alda M, Caminal G, Sarrà M(*), Blánquez P (2020). Fungal bioremediation of diuron-contaminated waters: Evaluation of its degradation and the effect of amendable factors on its removal in a trickle-bed reactor under non-sterile conditions. Sci. Total Environ. 743, 140628. DOI: http://10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140628. Repository.
  • Jaén-Gil A, Castellet-Rovira F, Llorca M, Villagrasa M, Sarrà M, Rodríguez-Mozaz S (*), Barceló D (2019). Fungal treatment of metoprolol and its recalcitrant metabolite metoprolol acid in hospital wastewater: Biotransformation, sorptionand ecotoxicological impact. Water Res. 152, 171-180. DOI: http://10.1016/j.watres.2018.12.054. .
  • Llorca M, Castellet-Rovira F, Farré MJ, Jaén-Gil A, Martínez-Alonso M, Rodríguez-Mozaz S (*), Sarrà M, Barceló D (2019). Fungal biodegradation of the N-nitrosodimethylamine precursors venlafaxine and O-desmethylvenlafaxine in water. Environ. Pollut. 246, 346-356. DOI: http://10.1016/j.envpol.2018.12.008. .
  • Mir-Tutusaus JA, Parladé E, Villagrasa M, Barceló D, Rodríguez-Mozaz S, Martínez-Alonso M, Gaju N, Sarrà M (*), Caminal G (2019). Long-term continuous treatment of non-sterile real hospital wastewater by Trametes versicolor.J. Biological Engineering. 13:47 . DOI: http://0.1186/s13036-019-0179-y. Repository.
  • Castellet-Rovira F, Lucas D, Villagrasa M, Rodríguez-Mozaz S, Barceló D, Sarrà M (*) (2018). Stropharia rugosoannulata and Gymnopilus luteofolius: Promising fungal species for pharmaceutical biodegradation in contaminatedwater. J. Environ. Manage. 207, 396-404. DOI: http://10.1016/j.jenvman.2017.07.052. .
  • Lucas D, Castellet-Rovira F, Villagrasa M, Badia-Fabregat M, Barceló D, Vicent T, Caminal G, Sarrà M, Rodríguez-Mozaz S (*) (2018). The role of sorption processes in the removal of pharmaceuticals by fungal treatment of wastewater. Sci. Total Environ. 610–611, 1147–1153. DOI: http://10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.08.118. .
  • Mir-Tutusaus JA, Baccar R, Caminal G,Sarrà M (*) (2018). Can white-rot fungi be a real wastewater treatment alternative for organic micropollutants removal? A review. Water Res. 138, 137-151 DOI: http://10.1016/j.watres.2018.02.0560043. Repository.
  • Mir-Tutusaus JA, Caminal G, Sarrà M (2018). Influence of process variables in a continuous treatment of non-sterile hospital wastewater byTrametes versicolor and novel method for inoculum production. J. Environ. Manage.t 212, 415-423. DOI: http://0.1016/j.jenvman.2018.02.018. .
  • Mir-Tutusaus JA, Parladé E, Llorca M, Villagrasa M, Barceló D, Rodriguez-Mozaz S, Martinez-Alonso M Gaju N, Caminal G, Sarrà M (*) (2017). Pharmaceuticals removal and microbial community assessment in a continuous fungal treatment of non-sterile real hospital wastewater after a coagulation-flocculation pretreatment. Water Res. 116, 65-75 DOI: http://10.1016/j.watres.2017.03.005. Repository.
  • Palli L (*), Castellet-Rovira F, Pérez-Trujillo M, Caniani D, Sarrà-Adroguer M, Gori R, (2017). Preliminary Evaluation of Pleurotus ostreatus for the Removal of Selected Pharmaceuticals from Hospital Wastewater. Biotechnol. Prog., 33(6). 1529-1537. DOI: http://10.1002/btpr.2520. .
  • Mir-Tutusaus JA, Sarrà M (*), Caminal G (2016). Continuous treatment of non-sterile hospital wastewater by Trametes versicolor: How to increase fungal viability by means of operational strategies and pretreatments. J.Hazard. Mater. 318, 561–570. DOI: http://10.1016/j.jhazmat.2016.07.036. Repository.
  • Ferrando-Climent L, Cruz-Morató C, Marco-Urrea E, Vicent T, Sarrà M, Rodriguez-Mozaz S (*), Barceló D (2015). Non conventional biological treatment based on Trametes versicolor for the elimination of recalcitrant anticancer drugs in hospital wastewater. Chemosphere 136, 9–19. DOI: http://10.1016/j.chemosphere.2015.03.051. .
  • Sayara T, Čvančarová M, Cajthaml T,Sarrà M, Sánchez A (*) (2015). Anaerobic bioremediation of PAH–contaminated soil: Assessment of the degradation of contaminants and biogas production under thermophilic and mesophilic conditions. Environmental Engineering and Management Journal 14(1), 153-165. . .
  • Vilaplana M, Rodríguez-Rodríguez CE (*), Barón E, Gorga M, Sarrà M, Caminal G, Eljarrat E, Barceló D (2015). Biodegradation of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers in Liquid Media andSewage Sludge by Trametes versicolor. Int. J. Environ. Res. 9(1), 273-280. . .
  • Cruz-Morató C, Lucas D, Llorca M, Rodriguez-Mozaz S, Gorga M, Petrovic M, Barceló D, Vicent T, Sarrà M, Marco-Urrea E (*) (2014). Hospital wastewater treatment by fungal bioreactor: removal efficiency for pharmaceuticals and endocrine disruptors compounds. Sci Total Environ. 493, 365-376. DOI: http://10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.05.117. .
  • Gros M, Cruz-Morato C, Marco-Urrea E, Longrée Ph, Singer H, Sarrà M, Hollender J, Vicent T, Rodriguez-Mozaz S (*), Barceló D (2014). Biodegradation of the X-ray contrast agentiopromide and the fluoroquinolone antibiotic ofloxacin by the white rot fungusTrametes versicolor in hospital wastewaters and identification of degradation products. Water Res. 60, 228-241. DOI: http://10.1016/j.watres.2014.04.042. .
  • Mir-Tutusaus JA, Masís-Mora M, Corcellas C, Eljarrat E, Barceló D, Sarrà M, Caminal G, Vicent T, Rodríguez-Rodríguez CE (*) (2014). Degradation of selected agrochemicals by the white rot fungusTrametes versicolor. Sci.Total Environ. 500–501, 235–242. DOI: http://10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.08.116. Repository.
  • Baccar R (*), Blánquez P, Bouzida J, Fekic M, Sarrà M. (2013). Modeling of adsorption isotherms and kinetics of a tannery dye onto an activatedcarbon prepared from an agricultural by-product. Fuel Process. Technol. 106, 408–415. DOI: http://10.1016/j.fuproc.2012.09.006. .
  • Casas N , Blánquez P (*), Vicent T, Sarrà M (2013). Laccase production by Trametes versicolor under limited-growth conditions using dyes as inducers. Environ. Technol. 34:1, 113-119 DOI: http://10.1080/09593330.2012.683820. .
  • Casas N, Blánquez P (*), Vicent T, Sarrà M (2013). Mathematical model for dye decoloration and laccase production by Trametes versicolor in fluidized bioreactor. Biochem. Eng. J. 80, 45–52 DOI: http://10.1016/j.bej.2013.09.010. .
  • Cruz-Morató C, Ferrando Climent L, Rodriguez-Mozaz S, Barceló D, Marco-Urrea E, Vicent T, Sarrà M (*) (2013). Degradation of pharmaceuticals in non-sterile urban wastewater by Trametes versicolor in a fluidized bioreactor. Wat Res 47, 3200-5210. DOI: http://10.1016/j.watres.2013.06.007. .
  • Cruz-Morató C, Jelíc A, Perez S, Petrovic M, Barceló D, Marco-Urrea E, Sarrà M (*), Vicent T (2013). Continuous treatment of clofibric acid by Trametes versicolor in a fluidized bed bioreactor: Identification of transformation products and toxicity assessment. Biochem. Eng. J. 75, 79–85. DOI: http://10.1016/j.bej.2013.03.020. .
  • Hjaila K, Baccar R, Sarrà M (*), Gasol CM, Blánquez P (2013). Environmental impact associated with activated carbon preparation from olive-waste cake via life cycle assessment. J.Environ. Manage. 130, 242-247. DOI: http://10.1016/j.jenviman.2013.08.051. .
  • Rodríguez-Escales P, Borràs E, Sarrà M, Folch A (*) (2013). Granulometry and Surfactants, Key Factors in Desorptionand Biodegradation (T.versicolor) of PAHs in Soil and Groundwater. Water Air Soil Pollut 224, 1422. DOI: http://10.1007/s11270-012-1422-z. .
  • Baccar R, Sarrà M, Bouzida J, Fekic M, Blánquez P (*) (2012). Removal of pharmaceutical compounds by activated carbon prepared from agricultural by-product. Chem. Eng. J. 211-212, 310–317. DOI: http://10.1016/j.cej.2012.09.099. .
  • Gabarrell X (*), Font M, Vicent T, Caminal G, Sarrà M, Blánquez P (2012). A comparative life cycle assessment of two treatment technologies for the Grey Lanaset G textile dye: biodegradation by Trametes versicolor and granular activated carbon adsorption. Int J Life Cycle Assess 17, 613-624 DOI: http://10.1007/s11367-012-0385-z. .
  • Jelic A, Cruz-Morato C, Marco-Urrea E, Sarrà M, Perez S (*), Vicent T, Petrovic M, Barceló (2012). Degradation of carbamazepine by Trametes versicolor in an air pulsed fluidized bed bioreactor and identification of intermediates. Water Res. 46, 955-964. DOI: http://10.1016/j.watres.2011.11.063. .
  • Vilaplana M, García AB, Caminal G, Guillén F, Sarrà M (*) (2012). Optimisation of the operational conditions of trichloroethylene degradation using Trametes versicolor under quinone redox cycling conditions using central composite design methodology. Biodegradation 23, 333–341. DOI: http://10.1007/s10532-011-9513-x. .