The effect of ionizing radiation on metoprolol.

The influence of ionising radiation on physico-chemical properties of metoprolol tartrate (MT) in solid phase was studied. The compound was irradiated by radiation produced by a beam of high-energy electrons in an accelerator, in doses from 25 to 400 kGy, and the possible changes in the samples were detected by organoleptic analysis (colour, forms, clarity), chromatographic and spectrometric methods. Already at the standard sterilisation dose of 25 kGy, the presence of free radicals (0.3764 × 10(16) spin/g) and a decrease in the melting point by 1°C were noted. At higher doses of irradiation products of radiolysis appeared (100 kGy) and the colour was changed from white to pale cream (200 kGy). Our observation was that with increasing mass loss of MT after irradiation with 100, 200 and 400 kGy, the concentration of free radicals increased from 1.0330 to 1.6869 × 10(16) spin/g. The radiolytic yield of total radiolysis was 4.54 × 10(7) mol/J for 100 kGy, 7.42 × 10(7) mol/J for 200 kGy and 4.74 × 10(7) mol/J for 400 kGy. No significant changes were observed in the character of FT-IR spectra, but in UV an increase in intensity of the band at the analytical wavelength was noted. As follows from the results MT shows high radiochemical stability for the typical sterilisation doses 25-50 kGy, and will probably be able to be sterilised by radiation in the dose of 25 kGy.

UV-C radiation based methods for aqueous metoprolol elimination.

The endocrine disruptor metoprolol has been oxidised in aqueous solution by means of the systems UV-C, UV-C/H(2)O(2), UV-C/percarbonate, UV-C/monopersulfate, UV-C/TiO(2), UV-C/H(2)O(2)/TiO(2) and photo-Fenton. From simple photolysis experiments the quantum yield of metoprolol has been calculated (roughly 5x10(-3) mol Einstein(-1) at circumneutral pH). Addition of free radicals promoters significantly enhanced the metoprolol depletion rate. Mineralization degree was negligible when no promoter was added, while low values were achieved in the presence of either inorganic peroxides or titanium dioxide. The combination of radiation, hydrogen peroxide and TiO(2) increased the mineralization level up to values in the proximity of 45-50% under the best conditions investigated. The photo-Fenton process was the best system in terms of total oxidation (mineralization degree 70%) when optimum conditions were applied.