# Treatment Methods for Antibiotic Mycelial Residues: A Review
## 3 Treatment Methods for AMR
### Physical Methods
#### 3.1.2 Microwave Treatment  
Microwave treatment, as a highly efficient physicochemical pretreatment technology, demonstrates significant advantages in enhancing the dewatering performance of AMR and improving the hydrolysis efficiency of biomass waste [68; 69]. By generating an alternating electromagnetic field, microwaves induce the realignment of polar molecules within the biomass matrix. During this process, the continuous motion of polar molecules triggers intense intermolecular friction, which is subsequently converted into thermal energy. This thermal effect disrupts the floc structure, thereby increasing the solubility and hydrolysis efficiency of the biomass waste. Compared to conventional thermal methods, microwave pretreatment offers superior penetration depth, rapid heating rates, and higher energy efficiency, achieving enhanced dewatering performance with significantly reduced processing durations [70].  
[PERSON] et al. [69] systematically investigated the mechanistic principles and regulatory effects of microwave treatment on AMR dewaterability. Their findings demonstrated that microwaves not only degraded the AMR matrix and altered its particle size distribution but also effectively disrupted micro-floc structures, induced cell wall lysis, and promoted the substantial release of intracellular mucoid polymers (containing proteins, polysaccharides, DNA, etc.), thereby enhancing AMR dehydration performance. [PERSON] et al. [62] employed microwave-assisted wet torrefaction for pretreating avermectin mycelial residue, revealing that this process significantly modified the composition and structure of AMR and achieves 95% avermectin degradation. Post-treatment AMR exhibited a 40% increase in methane yield during anaerobic digestion (AD), reaching 327.9 mL/g volatile solids (VSs). [PERSON] et al. [48] further investigated the application of microwave-pretreated AMR in AD, exploring its effects on methane production mechanisms and antibiotic degradation processes. Their study indicated that through thermal effects (e.g., hydrogen bond cleavage and weakened van der Waals forces), microwave treatment modified the floc size, increased the soluble protein content, and consequently promoted the methane yield during AD. Additionally, post-microwave AMR demonstrates elevated humic acid-like substances and organic matter levels, suggesting potential as soil amendments [33]. However, even after microwave treatment, AMR may still induce elevated soil pH and electrical conductivity, adversely affecting seed germination [33; 71].  
It is crucial to underscore that while microwave technology yields promising results in diverse applications, the persistence risks of antibiotic residues and their potential environmental consequences warrant extensive research for thorough assessment. Furthermore, the effects of microwave parameters on different categories of AMR remain insufficiently characterized. To address these gaps, it is imperative to establish a multi-dimensional risk assessment framework grounded in life cycle assessment, which would provide robust theoretical underpinnings and technical safeguards to ensure the sustainable development and safe implementation of this technology [69; 72].