AWWA WQTC69495

This research was performed to assess the elimination of antibiotics and theconsequential loss of antibacterial activity in water using ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. The targetcompounds were amoxicillin (AM), ampicillin (AP), cephradine (CP), and penicillin G(PG), which belong to the ß-lactam class of antibiotics. Of the four antibiotics examined,cephradine possessed the greatest photolysis rate compared with the other threeantibiotics. The quantum yield and molar adsorption coefficient at 254 nmwere determined with the direct photolysis kinetic model. The photo-product formationof the four antibiotics was observed by scanning and comparing UV spectra of the aqueous solutions before and after UV photolysis. In addition, biologicalassay was performed to investigate the antibacterial activity of both the originalsubstances and their degradation products, which accrue during UV irradiation. In thecases of amoxicillin and ampicillin, the antibacterial potential of their photo-productswas observed at the concentrations examined. Consequently, occurrence of photo-byproductsof the two antibiotics necessitates detailed study on the potential risk to theactual environment. Includes 17 references, table, figures.

Product Details

Edition:

Vol. - No.

Published:

11/01/2008

Number of Pages:

14