Electrochemical mineralization of cephalexin using a conductive diamond anode: A mechanistic and toxicity investigation

Solar-driven persulfate degradation of caffeine and cephradine in synthetic human urine

Urine source separation, as an innovative concept for the reuse of microlevel nutrients in human urine, has drawn increasing attention recently. Consequently, removing coexisting pharmaceuticals in urine is necessary for further reuse. This study is the first to apply the solar-driven persulfate process (Solar/PS) to the investigation of cephradine (CFD) and caffeine (CAF) degradation in synthetic human urine. The results showed that significantly more degradation of CFD and CAF occurs with the Solar/PS process than with persulfate oxidation and direct sunlight photolysis, respectively. The generated reactive species ·OH, SO4·-, O2·- and 1O2 were identified in the Solar/PS process. While SO4·- played a dominant role at pH 6, it played a minor role at pH 9 due to the lower amount generated under alkaline conditions. The presence of chloride and ammonia negatively impacted the photodegradation of both compounds. In contrast, bicarbonate exhibited no effect on CAF but enhanced CFD degradation owing to its amino-acid-like structure, which has a higher reactivity toward CO3·-. Although total organic carbon (TOC) was partially mineralized after 6 h of operation, no Microtox® toxicity was observed.

DNA-templated self-assembly of bradykinin into bioactive nanofibrils

Bradykinin (BK) is a peptide hormone that plays a crucial role in blood pressure control, regulates inflammation in the human body, and has recently been implicated in the pathophysiology of COVID-19. In this study, we report a strategy for fabricating highly ordered 1D nanostructures of BK using DNA fragments as a template for self-assembly. We have combined synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering and high-resolution microscopy to provide insights into the nanoscale structure of BK-DNA complexes, unveiling the formation of ordered nanofibrils. Fluorescence assays hint that BK is more efficient at displacing minor-groove binders in comparison with base-intercalant dyes, thus, suggesting that interaction with DNA strands is mediated by electrostatic attraction between cationic groups at BK and the high negative electron density of minor-grooves. Our data also revealed an intriguing finding that BK-DNA complexes can induce a limited uptake of nucleotides by HEK-293t cells, which is a feature that has not been previously reported for BK. Moreover, we observed that the complexes retained the native bioactivity of BK, including the ability to modulate Ca²⁺ response into endothelial HUVEC cells. Overall, the findings presented here demonstrate a promising strategy for the fabrication of fibrillar structures of BK using DNA as a template, which keep bioactivity features of the native peptide and may have implications in the development of nanotherapeutics for hypertension and related disorders.

Decontamination of wastewater containing contaminants of emerging concern by electrooxidation and Fenton-based processes - A review on the relevance of materials and methods

In recent years, there has been an increasingly growing interest regarding the use of electrochemical advanced oxidation processes (EAOPs) which are considered highly promising alternative treatment techniques for addressing environmental issues related to pollutants of emerging concern. In EAOPs, electrogenerated oxidizing agents, such as hydroxyl radical (HO^•), can react non-selectively with a wide range of organic compounds, degrading and mineralizing their structures to unharmful molecules like CO₂, H₂O, and inorganic ions. To this date, a broad spectrum of advanced electrocatalysts have been developed and applied for the treatment of compounds of interest in different matrices, specifically aiming at enhancing the degradation performance. New combined methods have also been employed as alternative treatment techniques targeted at circumventing the major obstacles encountered in Fenton-based processes, such as high costs and energy consumption, which still contribute significantly toward inhibiting the large-scale application of these processes. First, some fundamental aspects of EAOPs will be presented. Further, we will provide an overview of electrode materials which have been recently developed and reported in the literature, highlighting different anode and cathode structures employed in EAOPs, their main advantages and disadvantages, as well as their contribution to the performance of the treatment processes. The influence of operating parameters, such as initial concentrations, pH effect, temperature, supporting electrolyte, and radiation source, on the treatment processes were also studied. Finally, hybrid techniques which have been reported in the literature and critically assess the most recent techniques used for evaluating the degradation efficiency of the treatment processes.

Cephalexin degradation initiated by OH radicals: theoretical prediction of the mechanisms and the toxicity of byproducts

In this work, the density functional theory is used to study the local reactivity of cephalexin (CLX) to radical attack and explain the mechanism of the reaction between CLX and hydroxyl radical attack leading to degradation byproducts. The reaction between •OH and CLX is supposed to lead to either an addition of a hydroxyl radical or an abstraction of a hydrogen. The results showed that the affinity of cephalexin for addition reactions increases as it passes from the gas to the aqueous phase and decreases as it passes from the neutral to the ionized form. Thermodynamic data confirmed that OH addition radicals (R_add) are thermodynamically favored over H abstraction radicals (R_abs). The ecotoxicity assessments of CLX and its byproducts are estimated from the acute toxicities toward green algae, Daphnia, and fish. The formation of byproducts is safe for aquatic organisms, and only one byproduct is harmful to Daphnia.

Sustainable approaches for removal of cephalexin antibiotic from non-clinical environments: A critical review

In this article, the removal of cephalexin (CFX) antibiotic from non-clinical environment is reviewed. Adsorption and photocatalytic degradation techniques are widely used to remove CFX from waters and wastewaters, the combination of these methods is becoming more common for CFX removal. The treatment methods of CFX has not been reviewed before, the present article aim is to organize the scattered available information regarding sustainable approaches for CFX removal from non-clinical environment. These include adsorption by nanoparticles, bacterial biomass, biodegradation by bacterial enzymes and the photocatalysis using different catalysts and Photo-Fenton photocatalysis. The metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) appeared to have high potential for CFX degradation. It is evident from the recently papers reviewed that the effective methods could be used in place of commercial activated carbon. The widespread uses of photocatalytic degradation for CFX remediation are strongly recommended due to their engineering applicability, technical feasibility, and high effectiveness. The adsorption capacity of the CFX is ranging from 7 mg CFX g^-1 of activated carbon nanoparticles to 1667 mg CFX g^-1 of Nano-zero-valent iron from Nettle. In contrast, the photo-degradation was 45% using Photo-Fenton while has increased to 100% using heterogeneous photoelectro-Fenton (HPEF) with UVA light using chalcopyrite catalyst.

Recent Trends in Pharmaceuticals Removal from Water Using Electrochemical Oxidation Processes

Nowadays, the research on the environmental applications of electrochemistry to remove recalcitrant and priority pollutants and, in particular, drugs from the aqueous phase has increased dramatically. This literature review summarizes the applications of electrochemical oxidation in recent years to decompose pharmaceuticals that are often detected in environmental samples such as carbamazapine, sulfamethoxazole, tetracycline, diclofenac, ibuprofen, ceftazidime, ciprofloxacin, etc. Similar to most physicochemical processes, efficiency depends on many operating parameters, while the combination with either biological or other physicochemical methods seems particularly attractive. In addition, various strategies such as using three-dimensional electrodes or the electrosynthesis of hydrogen peroxide have been proposed to overcome the disadvantages of electrochemical oxidation. Finally, some guidelines are proposed for future research into the applications of environmental electrochemistry for the degradation of xenobiotic compounds and micropollutants from environmental matrices. The main goal of the present review paper is to facilitate future researchers to design their experiments concerning the electrochemical oxidation processes for the degradation of micropollutants/emerging contaminants, especially, some specific drugs considering, also, the existing limitations of each process.

Tin dioxide decorated on Ni-encapsulated nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes for anodic electrolysis and persulfate activation to degrade cephalexin: Mineralization and degradation pathway

In this study, bamboo-shaped carbon nanotubes exhibiting high nitrogen content and Ni encapsulation (Ni@NCNT) were effectively synthesized by a simple pyrolysis method. The catalytic peroxydisulfate activation for cephalexin (CPX) degradation was investigated using the prepared material. SnO₂ was further decorated and fabricated on the anode material (SnO₂/Ni@NCNT) for electrochemical degradation of CPX in an aqueous solution. Transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicated that the SnO₂ nanoparticles were uniformly distributed on the surface of Ni@NCNT. Electrochemical characterization employing cyclic voltammetry and linear sweep voltammetry demonstrated that SnO₂/Ni@NCNT displayed higher oxygen evolution potential and electrocatalytic activity than Ni@NCNT. Mineralization of CPX in wastewater was performed using electrolysis coupled with persulfate oxidation. The analysis revealed a synergistic strengthening effect. The electropersulfate oxidation resulted in higher total organic carbon (TOC) removal (70.3%) than the sum of electrooxidation (48.1%) and persulfate oxidation (9.2%) toward CPX. This phenomenon might result from the regeneration of sulfate radicals (SO₄^•-) on the anode and complementary oxidation by SO₄^•- and OH. Persulfate oxidation alone was shown to result in low TOC removal, although CPX was mostly degraded. Additionally, the CPX degradation pathway involving electropersulfate oxidation was proposed and it is indicated that CPX molecules were completed decomposed by the examination of short chain acids, mineralized ions, and ecotoxicity evolution indicated that the antibiotic was completely degraded. This study provides a new approach for the design and preparation of novel electrode materials and electrochemical degradation facilities for the removal of pollutants via persulfate activation.

Comparing the electrochemical degradation of the fluoroquinolone antibiotics norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin using distinct electrolytes and a BDD anode: evolution of main oxidation byproducts and toxicity

The effects of the supporting electrolytes (SEs) Na₂SO₄, NaCl, Na₂CO₃, NaNO₃, and Na₃PO₄ on the anodic oxidation of norfloxacin (NOR) and ciprofloxacin (CIPRO), assessed by the respective degradation kinetics and byproducts and electrolyzed solution antimicrobial activity, are compared. Galvanostatic anodic oxidations were performed in a filter-press flow cell fitted with a boron-doped diamond anode. Removal rates higher than the theoretical one for a process purely controlled by mass transfer were found for all SEs, indicative of contribution by indirect oxidation processes. However, the removal rates for NaCl were about tenfold higher, with the lowest energy consumption per order (EC _O) of targeted pollutant removal rate (ca. 0.7 kW h m^-3 order^-1), a very competitive performance. The TOC removal rates were also affected by the SE, but not as markedly. The antimicrobial activity of the electrolyzed solutions against Escherichia coli showed distinct temporal profiles, depending on the fluoroquinolone and SE. For instance, when Na₃PO₄ was used, the antimicrobial activity was completely removed for NOR, but none for CIPRO; conversely, when NaCl was used, complete removal was attained only for CIPRO. From LC-MS/MS analyses of Na₃PO₄ electrolyzed solutions, rupture of the fluoroquinolone ring leading to byproducts with no toxicity against E. coli occurred only for NOR, whereas exactly the opposite occurred for the NaCl solutions. Clearly, the nature of both the SE and the fluoroquinolone influence the oxidation steps of the respective molecule; this was also evidenced by the distinct short-chain carboxylic acids identified in the degradation of NOR and CIPRO.

Photocatalytic degradation of cephalexin by UV activated persulfate and Fenton in synthetic wastewater: optimization, kinetic study, reaction pathway and intermediate products

We used Low pressure mercury vapor lamp activated of Sodium Persulfate (UV/SPS) and Fenton processes in two separate reactors to comparison of cephalexin (CPX) degradation in aqueous solution. The effect of pH, initial concentration of SPS, concentration of CPX, concentration of H2O2 and concentration of Fe2+ on the degradation of CPX were investigated. The residue of CPX and metabolites were determined by HPLC and GC/MS. The Total Organic Carbon (TOC) analysis was utilized for surveying the mineralization of CPX. Biodegradability of CPX in both advanced oxidation processes was evaluated by BOD5/COD in optimum condition. The results indicated that the maximum CPX removal was obtained at pH 3, H2O2 3 mM, concentration of initial CPX 10 mg/L and by increasing the doses of SPS from 0.1 to 0.2 mM, the degradation of CPX was enhanced. In this study, the most important factors for AOP efficiency was concentration of initial CPX; and then pH in UV/SPS and H2O2 in Fenton processes. The TOC measurements indicate that the UV/SPS and Fenton can efficiently mineralize CPX. CPX removed enough to achieve suitable biodegradability for a further biological process. Too, analysis of generated intermediates during the degradation of CPX was conducted by GC/MS method and a degradation pathway was proposed.

Biodegradability improvement of clopyralid wastes through electrolysis using different diamond anodes

The use of boron-doped (BDDs) anodes for efficient removal of complex organic molecules, such as organochlorine compounds, is well stated in the literature. However, the role of the different characteristics of this anode on the transformation of these type of contaminants into more biodegradable molecules is a topic of interest that need to be clarified when aimed an efficient combination of an electrochemical system as a previous step to biological treatment. In this work, improvement in the biodegradability of synthetic wastes polluted with clopyralid, as an organochlorine model compound, is studied after electrolysis with different BDDs in the presence of the two most common supporting electrolytes (containing sulfate or chloride ions). For that, clopyralid removal, mineralization, aromatics intermediates, short-chain carboxylic acids, and inorganic ions were monitored. Improved results were found in sulfate media for BDD with 200 ppm, capable of removing 88.7% of contaminants and 85% of TOC, resulting in an improvement in biodegradability of almost 7-fold compared to the initial sample. These findings point out that lower doping levels are preferable when coupling studied technologies.

Characterization and comparison of Ti/TiO2-NT/SnO2-SbBi, Ti/SnO2-SbBi and BDD anode for the removal of persistent iodinated contrast media (ICM)

In this study, we investigated the impact of a TiO₂ nanotube (NT) interlayer on the electrochemical performance and service life of Sb and Bi-doped SnO₂-coatings synthesized on a titanium mesh. Ti/SnO₂-SbBi electrode was synthetized by a thermal decomposition method using ionic liquid as a precursor solvent. Ti/TiO₂-NT/SnO₂-SbBi electrode was obtained by a two-step electrochemical anodization, followed by the same process of thermal decomposition. The synthesized electrodes were electrochemically characterized and analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Terephthalic acid (TA) experiments showed that Ti/SnO₂-SbBi and Ti/TiO₂-NT/SnO₂-SbBi electrodes formed somewhat higher amounts of hydroxyl radicals (HO) compared with the mesh boron doped diamond (BDD) anode. Electrochemical oxidation experiments were performed using iodinated contrast media (ICM) as model organic contaminants persistent to oxidation. At current density of 50 A m^-2, BDD clearly outperformed the synthesized mixed metal oxide (MMO) electrodes, with 2 to 3-fold higher oxidation rates observed for ICM. However, at 100 and 150 A m^-2, Ti/SnO₂-SbBi had similar performance to BDD, whereas Ti/TiO₂-NT/SnO₂-SbBi yielded even higher oxidation rates. Disappearance of the target ICM was followed by up to 80% removal of adsorbable organic iodide (AOI) for all three materials, further demonstrating iodine cleavage and thus oxidative degradation of ICM mediated by HO. The presence of a TiO₂ NT interlayer yielded nearly 4-fold increase in anode stability and dislocated the oxygen evolution reaction by +0.2 V. Thus, TiO₂ NT interlayer enhanced electrode stability and service life, and the electrocatalytic activity for the degradation of persistent organic contaminants.

Electrochemical oxidation of ceftazidime with graphite/CNT-Ce/PbO2-Ce anode: Parameter optimization, toxicity analysis and degradation pathway

In this work, the electrochemical degradation of antibiotic ceftazidime has been studied using a novel rare earth metal Ce and carbon nanotubes codoped PbO₂ electrode. A competitively high oxygen evolution potential (2.4 V) and enhanced catalytic surface area were obtained, evidence by LSV and CV electrochemical characterization. The G/CNT-Ce/PbO₂-Ce electrode possessed a more compact structure and a smaller grain size than the other PbO₂ and Ce-PbO₂ electrodes, exhibiting a prolonged service lifetime, evidence by accelerated lifespan test and recycling degradation experiment. As electrolysis time reached 120 min, the removal efficiency of ceftazidime and TOC arrived at 100.0% and 54.2% respectively in 0.05 M Na₂SO₄ solution containing 50 mg⋅L^-1 ceftazidime. The effect of applied current density, pH value, initial ceftazidime concentration and chloride contents on the degradation performance were systematically evaluated. The results demonstrated that electrochemical oxidation of ceftazidime over the G/CNT-Ce/PbO₂-Ce electrode was highly effective, and the mineralization rate was greatly improved, compared with pristine PbO₂ electrode. Considering the toxicity was increased after 30 min electrolysis, the intermediates were quantitatively investigated through HPLC-MS, GC-MS and IC technology. According to the identified products, a reaction mechanism has been proposed and pyridine and aminothiazole were detected with concentration from approximately 1 to 3 mg⋅L^-1, which were regarded as toxic byproducts during electrooxidation. Further electrocatalyzing by ring cleavage reaction and complete mineralization to CO₂, NO₃^- and NH₄⁺ was proposed, which demonstrated the G/CNT-Ce/PbO₂-Ce electrode exhibited high efficiency for ceftazidime removal in mild conditions.

Electrochemical oxidation of indanthrene blue dye in a filter-press flow reactor and toxicity analyses with Raphidocelis subcapitata and Lactuca sativa

Alternative routes to degrade dyes are of crucial importance for the environment. Hence, we report the electrochemical removal of indanthrene blue by using a boron-doped diamond anode, focusing on the toxicity of the treated solutions. Different operational conditions were studied, such as current density (5, 10, and 20 mA cm-2) and electrolyte composition (Na2SO4, Na2CO3, and NaNO3). Besides, the pH was monitored throughout the experiment to consider its direct influence on the ecotoxicity effects. The highest electrochemical oxidation efficiency, measured as color removal, was seen in the 180 min condition of electrolysis in 0.033 M Na2SO4, applying 20 mA cm-2, resulting in a color removal of nearly 91% and 40.51 kWh m-3 of energy consumption. The toxicity towards Lactuca sativa depends solely on pH variations being indifferent to color removal. While the inhibition concentration (IC50) for Raphidocelis subcapitata increases 20% after treatment (in optimized conditions), suggesting that the byproducts are more toxic for this specific organism. Our data highlight the importance of analyzing the toxicity towards various organisms to understand the toxic effect of the treatment applied.

Recent Trends in Removal Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products by Electrochemical Oxidation and Combined Systems

Due to various potential toxicological threats to living organisms even at low concentrations, pharmaceuticals and personal care products in natural water are seen as an emerging environmental issue. The low efficiency of removal of pharmaceuticals and personal care products by conventional wastewater treatment plants calls for more efficient technology. Research on advanced oxidation processes has recently become a hot topic as it has been shown that these technologies can effectively oxidize most organic contaminants to inorganic carbon through mineralization. Among the advanced oxidation processes, the electrochemical advanced oxidation processes and, in general, electrochemical oxidation or anodic oxidation have shown good prospects at the lab-scale for the elimination of contamination caused by the presence of residual pharmaceuticals and personal care products in aqueous systems. This paper reviewed the effectiveness of electrochemical oxidation in removing pharmaceuticals and personal care products from liquid solutions, alone or in combination with other treatment processes, in the last 10 years. Reactor designs and configurations, electrode materials, operational factors (initial concentration, supporting electrolytes, current density, temperature, pH, stirring rate, electrode spacing, and fluid velocity) were also investigated.

Photoelectrolysis of clopyralid wastes with a novel laser-prepared MMO-RuO2TiO2 anode

This paper studies the applicability of a novel laser-prepared mixed metal oxide (MMO-RuO₂TiO₂) anode in the photoelectrochemical degradation of clopyralid, a toxic and biorefractory herbicide. Results are compared to those obtained using the well-known boron-doped diamond (BDD) anode and demonstrate that, although the electrolysis with diamond is more effective than that obtained with the new electrode, the irradiation of UVC light makes the novel MMO material more effective in chloride media. It was explained in terms of the homolysis of hypochlorous acid/hypochlorite to form chloride and hydroxyl radicals. Photoelectrochemical degradation with MMO produced a marked synergistic effect in TOC removal, especially in the presence of chloride ions. On the contrary, for the BDD anode, at the tested conditions, antagonisms were found in both sulfate and chloride media. These important synergisms allows finding conditions in which the novel anode can be competitive with the BDD.

Effect of surface properties of activated carbon fiber cathode on mineralization of antibiotic cefalexin by electro-Fenton and photoelectro-Fenton treatments: Mineralization, kinetics and oxidation products

Solutions of 200 mg L^-1 cefalexin (CLX), an antibiotic with high usage frequency and biodegradation resistance, have been comparatively degraded by electro-Fenton (EF) and photoelectro-Fenton (PEF) processes using two kinds of activated carbon fiber (ACF) cathodes with different physical properties. These two ACFs shared similar pore volumes and pore diameters but varied BET surface areas, which were confirmed to be 0.5210 cm³ g^-1, 2.26 nm and 921 m² g^-1 for ACF1, while 0.6508 cm³ g^-1, 2.16 nm and 1206 m² g^-1 for ACF2, respectively. Their oxidation abilities were comparatively assessed in terms of degradation kinetics and mineralization rates, which increased in the order: ACF1-EF < ACF2-EF < ACF1-PEF < ACF2-PEF. These results confirmed the superiority of ACF with higher surface area, which was correlated to faster H₂O₂ and OH accumulation in more reaction sites provided. After 120 min electrolysis, ACF1 exhibited 1510 μM H₂O₂ and 37 μM OH accumulation, while ACF2 generated 1934 μM H₂O₂ and 85 μM OH. Moreover, ACF cathode with more developed pore structure also revealed faster formation of degradation by-products like inorganic ions (NH₄⁺ and NO₃^- ions) and short-chain carboxylic acids (acetic, formic, oxamic and oxalic acids), as well as enhanced removal for partial acids. In order to gain a deeper understanding of degradation mechanisms for ACF2-PEF system, evolutions of six aromatic by-products generated from sulfoxidation, hydroxylation and decarboxylation were confirmed by UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS determination. Based on the above identifications of the degradation intermediates, a plausible reaction pathway for CLX removal was proposed.

Sonochemical degradation of antibiotics from representative classes-Considerations on structural effects, initial transformation products, antimicrobial activity and matrix

In this work, the sonochemical treatment (at 354 kHz and 88 W L^-1) of six relevant antibiotics belonging to fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin), penicillins (oxacillin and cloxacillin) and cephalosporins (cephalexin and cephadroxyl) classes was evaluated. Firstly, the ability of the process to eliminate them was tested, showing that sonodegradation of these antibiotics is strongly chemical structure-dependent. Thus, correlations among initial degradation rate of pollutants (Rd), solubility in water (Sw), water-octanol partition coefficient (Log P) and topological polar surface area (TPSA) were tested. Rd exhibited a good correlation with Log P (i.e., the hydrophobicity degree of antibiotics). The considered penicillins had the fastest elimination and from the constitutional analysis using Lemke method was clear that the functional groups arrangement on these antibiotics made them highly hydrophobics. The penicillins were degraded closer at cavitation bubble than the fluoroquinolones or cephalosporins. The investigation of degradation products showed that sonogenerated hydroxyl radical primary attacked the β-lactam ring of cloxacillin and cephalexin, whereas on norfloxacin induced a decarboxylation. On the other hand, the evolution of antimicrobial activity was also followed. It was evidenced the process capacity to remove antimicrobial activity from treated solutions, which was associated to the transformations of functional groups on antibiotics with important role for interaction with bacteria. Additionally, degradation of antibiotics having the highest (the most hydrophobic, i.e., cloxacillin) and lowest (the most hydrophilic, i.e., cephadroxyl) Rd, was performed in synthetic matrices (hospital wastewater and seawater). Ultrasound degraded both antibiotics; for cloxacillin in such waters higher eliminations than in distilled water were observed (probably due to a salting-out effect exerted by matrix components). Meanwhile, for cephadroxyl a moderate inhibition of degradation in hospital wastewater and seawater respect to distilled water was found, this was related to competition by hydroxyl radical of the other substances in the matrices. These results show the quite selectivity of high frequency ultrasound to eliminate antibiotics form different classes even in complex matrices.

Cephalosporin antibiotics in the aquatic environment: A critical review of occurrence, fate, ecotoxicity and removal technologies

Due to their widespread occurrence in the aquatic environment, human and veterinary cephalosporin antibiotics have been studied as water pollutants. In order to characterize environmental risks of this compound class, this review evaluates relevant data about physicochemical properties, occurrence, ecotoxicity and degradation of cephalosporins. Although application of cephalosporins is rather low compared to other antibiotics and their environmental life-time is believed to be short (i.e. days), the available data is insufficient to draw conclusions on their environmental relevance. Few studies concerning the fate of cephalosporins in soil are available, while hydrolysis and photo-degradation are suggested as the main attenuation processes in the aquatic environment. Cephalosporins have been detected in different aqueous matrices in concentrations ranging from 0.30 ng L^-1 to 0.03 mg L^-1, with sewage and wastewater being the main matrices with positive findings. For wastewater treatment purposes, several technologies have been tested for the abatement of cephalosporins, including photolysis and adsorption. In most cases, the technology employed led to complete or significant removal (>95%) of parental drugs but few authors reported on cephalosporins' metabolites and transformation products. Furthermore, the present ecotoxicological data are insufficient for comprehensive ecological risk quotient calculations. Considering the total of 53 cephalosporins, effective values (EC, LC, NOAEC, NOAEL, etc.) are only available for around 30% of parental drugs and are very scarce for cyanobacteria, which is considered to be the most sensitive group of organisms to antibiotics. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that cephalosporins' transformation products can be more toxic and more persistent than the parental drugs. Few investigations considering this possibility are available. Consequently, more effort on ecotoxicological data generation and verification of biological inactivation of cephalosporins-related products is needed. Likewise, the lack of natural depletion rates and knowledge gaps on mixture effects for cephalosporins' degradation and toxicity have to be overcome.

The effect of the supporting electrolyte on the electrooxidation of enrofloxacin using a flow cell with a BDD anode: Kinetics and follow-up of oxidation intermediates and antimicrobial activity

The role of the supporting electrolyte - SE (Na₂SO₄; NaCl; Na₂CO₃; NaNO₃; Na₃PO₄ - 0.1 M ionic strength) in the galvanostatic (10 mA cm^-2) electrochemical degradation of the fluoroquinolone antibiotic enrofloxacin (ENRO; 100 mg L^-1) using a filter-press flow cell with a boron-doped diamond anode was investigated (flow rate, solution volume, and temperature were kept fixed at 420 L h^-1, 1.0 L, and 25 °C, respectively). The electrochemical degradation performance with the different SEs was assessed by following up [ENRO], total organic carbon concentration (TOC), oxidation intermediates (detected by LC and LC-QqTOF), and antimicrobial activity towards Escherichia coli as the electrolyses progressed. With NaCl as SE, complete removal of ENRO was attained ∼10 times faster than with the other salts. The determination of terminal oxidation intermediates (short-chain carboxylic acids) produced during the electrolyses allowed concluding that their nature and number is indeed affected by the salt used as SE, most probably due to distinct electrogenerated oxidants. With NaCl, the antimicrobial activity of the electrolyzed solution decreased gradually (to ∼20%) from 8 to 16 h of electrolysis due to the cleavage of the fluoroquinolone structure. On the other hand, with Na₂SO₄, Na₂CO₃ and NaNO₃ as SEs the growth of Escherichia coli cells was observed only after ∼14 h, whereas it was completely inhibited with Na₃PO₄. Clearly, the electrooxidation and mineralization of ENRO is strongly affected by the SEs used, which determine the degradation mechanism and, consequently, the removal rates of the solution's organic load and antimicrobial activity.

Electrochemical treatment of penicillin, cephalosporin, and fluoroquinolone antibiotics via active chlorine: evaluation of antimicrobial activity, toxicity, matrix, and their correlation with the degradation pathways

Antibiotics are pharmaceuticals widely consumed and frequently detected in environmental water, where they can induce toxic effects and development of resistant bacteria. Their structural variety makes the problem of antibiotics in natural water more complex. In this work, six highly used antibiotics (at 40 μmol L^-1) belonging to three different classes (penicillins, cephalosporins, and fluoroquinolones) were treated using an electrochemical system with a Ti/IrO₂ anode and a Zr cathode in the presence of NaCl (0.05 μmol L^-1). The attack of electrogenerated active chlorine was found to be the main degradation route. After only 20 min of treatment, the process decreased more than 90% of the initial concentration of antibiotics, following the degradation order: fluoroquinolones > penicillins > cephalosporins. The primary interactions of the degrading agent with fluoroquinolones occurred at the cyclic amine (i.e., piperazyl ring) and the benzene ring. Meanwhile, the cephalosporins and penicillins were initially attacked on the β-lactam and sulfide groups. However, the tested penicillins presented an additional reaction on the central amide. In all cases, the transformations of antibiotics led to the antimicrobial activity decreasing. On the contrary, the toxicity level showed diverse results: increasing, decreasing, and no change, depending on the antibiotic type. In fact, due to the conservation of quinolone nucleus in the fluoroquinolone by-products, the toxicity of the treated solutions remained unchanged. With penicillins, the production of chloro-phenyl-isoxazole fragments increased the toxicity level of the resultant solution. However, the opening of β-lactam ring of cephalosporin antibiotics decreased the toxicity level of the treated solutions. Finally, the application of the treatment to synthetic hospital wastewater and seawater containing a representative antibiotic showed that the high amount of chloride ions in seawater accelerates the pollutant degradation. In contrast, the urea and ammonium presence in the hospital wastewater retarded the removal of this pharmaceutical.