Removal of 17alpha-methyltestosterone and its androgenic activity by biofilter reactors: an implication to prevent environmental contamination from Nile tilapia production industry

The synthetic androgen 17alpha-methyltestosterone (MT) is commonly utilized to induce the development of all-male populations in Nile tilapia aquaculture. However, improper treatment of aquaculture effluents may result in the release of residual or unmetabolized MT into adjacent aquatic environments, potentially threatening ecosystem health. This study investigates the effectiveness of biofilter reactors in eliminating MT and mitigating its androgenic activity from aquaculture discharges.