Comparison of different advanced oxidation processes for the degradation of two fluoroquinolone antibiotics in aqueous solutions.

In this study a comparative assessment using various advanced oxidation processes (UV/H(2)O(2), UV/H(2)O(2)/Fe(II), O(3), O(3)/UV, O(3)/UV/H(2)O(2) and O(3)/UV/H(2)O(2)/Fe(II)) was attempted to degrade efficiently two fluoroquinolone drugs ENR [enrofloxacin (1-Cyclopropyl-7-(4-ethyl-1-piperazinyl)-6-fluoro-1,4-dihydro-4-oxo-3-quinolonecarboxylic acid)] and CIP [ciprofloxacin (1-cyclopropyl-6-fluoro-4-oxo-7-(piperazin-1-yl)-quinoline-3-carboxylic acid)] in aqueous solutions at a concentrations of 0.15 mM for each drug. The efficiency of the applied oxidation processes (AOPs) has been estimated by the conversion of the original substrate (X(ENR) and X(CIP)) and the reduction of chemical oxygen demand (COD), total organic carbon (TOC). Special emphasis was laid on the effect of varying reaction pH as well as of the applied oxidant doses on the observed reaction kinetics for each advanced oxidation processes. High degradation efficiencies, particularly in terms of rates of TOC and COD abatement, were obtained for photo-Fenton assisted ozonation [O(3)/UV/H(2)O(2)/Fe(II)], compared to other advanced oxidation processes. At pH 3 and 25°C best results for the degradation of both investigated drugs were achieved when 10 mM H(2)O(2), 0.5 mM Fe(II) and an initial dose of 8.5 mg L(-1) ozone were applied. In addition, the evolution of toxicity of the reaction mixtures for different AOPs has been studied by the bioluminescence test (LUMIStox 300).

Leaching behavior of enrofloxacin in three different soils and the influence of a surfactant on its mobility.

The leaching behaviors of enrofloxacin (ENR), a fluoroquinolone group antibiotic, in three different standard soils, namely sandy, loamy sand and sandy loam were investigated according to OECD guideline 312. In addition, the effects of tenside, sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (DBS) on the mobility of ENR in two different soils were studied. The mobility of ENR in all three standard soils was very similar and was mostly (98%) concentrated on the top 0-5 cm segment of the soils at pH 5.7. The DBS can enhance the mobility of ENR in soils but the impact was in general negligible under the studied conditions.

Multi-parameter determination of TNFα, PCT and CRP for point-of-care testing.

A proof of concept for the simultaneous multi-parameter determination of three inflammation and sepsis parameters-TNFα, PCT and CRP-using a compact optical immunosensor is demonstrated. Harmonized assay conditions revealed standard curves with test midpoints (IC(50)) of 380 µg L(-1) for TNFα, 2300 µg L(-1) for PCT, and 2645 µg L(-1) for CRP.

Ozonation of oxytetracycline and toxicological assessment of its oxidation by-products.

Antibiotic formulation effluents are well known for their difficult elimination by traditional bio-treatment methods and their important contribution to environmental pollution due to its fluctuating and recalcitrant nature. In the present study the effect of ozonation on the degradation of oxytetracycline (OTC) aqueous solution (100mgl(-1)) at different pH values (3, 7 and 11) was investigated. Ozone (11mgl(-1) corresponds the concentration of ozone in gas phase) was chosen considering its rapid reaction and decomposition rate. The concentration of oxytetracycline, chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and BOD5/COD ratio were the parameters to evaluate the efficiency of the ozonation process. In addition, the toxic potential of the OTC degradation was investigated by the bioluminescence test using the LUMIStox 300 instrument and results were expressed as the percentage inhibition of the luminescence of the marine bacteria Vibrio fischeri. The results demonstrate that ozonation as a partial step of a combined treatment concept is a potential technique for biodegradability enhancement of effluents from pharmaceutical industries containing high concentration of oxytetracycline provided that the appropriate ozonation period is selected. At pH 11 and after 60min of ozonation of oxytetracycline aqueous solutions (100 and 200mgl(-1)) the BOD5/COD ratios were 0.69 and 0.52, respectively. It was also shown that COD removal rates increase with increasing pH as a consequence of enhanced ozone decomposition rates at elevated pH values. The results of bioluminescence data indicate that first by-products after partial ozonation (5-30min) of OTC were more toxic than the parent compound.