A qualitative survey of five antibiotics in a water treatment plant in central plateau of Iran

Development and Validation of UFLC-MS/MS Analytical Method for the Simultaneous Quantification of Antibiotic Residues in Surface Water, Groundwater, and Pharmaceutical Waste Water Samples from South India

Antibiotic residues in pharmaceutical wastewater pose a significant environmental concern due to their potential role in fostering antimicrobial resistance. South Indian pharmaceutical companies produce a wide range of antibiotics. As a result, the industries that discharge water may include antibiotic residues, which could be harmful to the environment. In this study, a novel, quick, accurate, and sensitive approach for the simultaneous detection of 11 antibiotics was established, and triple quadrupole mass spectrometry, ultra-fast liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UFLC-MS/MS), and selective solid-phase extraction (SPE) were used for validation. Utilizing a mixed mode reversed-phase/cation-exchange cartridge (SPE using Strata X, 33 μm), the single-cartridge extraction procedure was performed and validated. Relative standard deviations for most of the antibiotics ranged from 3.5 to 0.56 with recoveries ranging from 57 to 85%. The samples were injected into the UFLC-MS/MS apparatus at a volume of 10 μL for analysis. The auto sampler cooler temperature was kept at 150 °C, while the column temperature was kept at 40 °C. After validation, the technique was determined to be linear in the range of 2.0-1000.0 ng/mL. The retention period for antibiotics was between 1.2 and 1.5 min. Antibiotics transitions for multiple reaction monitoring| were between 235.1/105.9 and 711.5/467.9 m/z. The method of analysis took 2.5 min to run completely. Antibiotic residues were efficiently analyzed using the established analytical approach in pharmaceutical wastewater (influent and effluent), surface, and groundwater. Eleven antibiotics were found in the water samples during examination with concentrations ranging between 2.313 and 95.744 ng/L. The procedure was shown to be much more environmentally friendly than other contemporary methods based on the green analytical procedure index's evaluation of greenness. Blue applicability grade index tool indicated the developed method's practicality in comparison with that of other reported method.

Occurrence, spatial and seasonal variations of emerging contaminants in the aquatic environment of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

The occurrence, seasonal variations and spatial distribution of emerging contaminants (ECs) in wastewater effluents from wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) and UAE's receiving coastal aquatic environment (seawater and sediments) were evaluated in the present study. A total of 21, 23, and 22 contaminants in the effluents, seawater, and sediments, respectively, at concentrations ranging from low ng L-1 up to 1782 ng L-1 in effluents, from low ng/l up to 236.10 ng L-1 in seawater, and from low ng g-1 up to 60.15 ng g-1 in sediments were recorded. The study revealed that imidacloprid, thiabendazole, and acetaminophen were the most ubiquitous compounds in effluents, seawater, and sediments, respectively, since they were found in all samples collected with a detection frequency of 100%. The study also revealed that the higher concentrations of most contaminants were recorded in autumn. However, thiabendazole in effluents and seawater, acetamiprid in effluents, and sulphapyridine in seawater and sediments showed a higher load in winter. This study highlights the need for proper monitoring and management of ECs in wastewater effluents, seawater, and sediments, especially during the autumn and winter seasons, to minimize their impact on the marine ecosystem and public health.

Research of Antibiotic Residues and Bacterial Strain's Antibiotic Resistance Profile in the Liquid Effluents Evacuated in Nature by Two CHUs and a Mixed WWTP of Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso)

Background

In Burkina Faso, suspicions have been raised that hospital liquid effluents are a source of microbiological contaminants in surface waters of urban and peri-urban areas. This study aimed to determine the antibiotic residues and the antibiotic resistance phenotype of potential pathogenic bacteria in the hospital liquid effluents discharged into nature by the CHUs Bogodogo, Yalgado Ouédraogo and the WWTS of Kossodo.

Methods

Fifteen samples of liquid effluents discharged into nature were collected. Antibiotic residues were identified by HPLC. A wavelength of 254 nm for the UV detector was set. Antibiotic testing was realized according to CASFM 2019 recommendations.

Results

Three molecules including Amoxicillin, Chloramphenicol and Ceftriaxone were detected in 13 samples. The strains characterized were 06 E. coli, 09 Pseudomonas spp, 05 Staphylococcus aureus and 04 Salmonella spp. Thus, none of the strains was resistant to Imipenem, but they were resistant to Amoxiclav with rates of 83.33% (E. coli), 88.88% (Pseudomonas spp) and 100% (Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella spp).

Conclusion

Ouagadougou hospital liquid effluents discharged into nature are contaminated with antibiotic residues and potential pathogenic bacteria.

Photodegradable Antimicrobial Agents: Synthesis and Mechanism of Degradation

As a strategy to inactivate antimicrobial agents after use, we designed a range of ethanolamine derivatives where four of them possessed interesting activity. The ethanolamine moiety facilitates photodecomposition, which in a potential drug will take place after use. Herein, the synthetic preparation of these compounds and the mechanism of photoinactivation are described.

Emerging contaminants in the water bodies of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA): A critical review

Many emerging contaminants (ECs) are not currently removed by conventional water treatment methods and consequently, often reach the aquatic environment. In the absence of proper management strategies, ECs can accumulate in water bodies, which poses potential environmental and health risks. This paper critically reviews, for the first time, the reported occurrence and treatment of ECs in the Middle Eastern and North Africa (MENA) region. The paper also provides recommendations to properly manage EC risks. In the MENA region, pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) have been detected in surface water, seawater, groundwater, and wastewater treatment plants. A focus on surface water in the published literature suggests that studies are skewed towards worldwide trends, whereas studies on ECs in seawater are of great importance in the study region. The types of PPCPs detected in the MENA region vary, but anti-inflammatories and antibiotics dominate. In comparison, microplastics have mainly been studied in surface waters and seawater with much less focus on drinking water. The majority of microplastics in the region are secondary types resulting from the degradation of larger plastic debris; polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) fibers are the most frequently detected polymers, which are indicative of local anthropogenic sources. Research progress on ECs varies between countries, having received more attention in Iran and Tunisia. Most MENA countries have now begun monitoring water bodies for ECs; however, studies are still lacking in some countries including Sudan, Djibouti, Syria, Ethiopia, and Bahrain. Based on this review, critical knowledge gaps and research needs are identified. Countries in the MENA region require further research on a broader range of EC types. Overall, water pollution due to the use and release of ECs can be tackled by improving public awareness, public campaigns, government intervention, and advanced monitoring and treatment methods.

Detection of Antibiotics in Drinking Water Treatment Plants in Baghdad City, Iraq

Persistence of antibiotics in the aquatic environment has raised concerns regarding their potential influence on potable water quality and human health. This study analyzes the presence of antibiotics in potable water from two treatment plants in Baghdad City. The collected samples were separated using a solid-phase extraction method with hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) cartridge before being analyzed. The detected antibiotics in the raw and finished drinking water were analyzed and assessed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), with fluorometric detector and UV detector. The results confirmed that different antibiotics including fluoroquinolones andB-lactams were detected in the raw and finished water. The most frequently detected antibiotics were ciprofloxacin with highest concentration of 1.270 μg L−1in the raw water of Al-Wihda plant, whereas the highest concentration of levofloxacin was 0.177 μg L−1, while amoxicillin was not detected in this plant. In contrast, ciprofloxacin was found in both raw water and finished water of Al-Rasheed plant and recorded highest concentration of 1.344 and 1.312 μg L−1, respectively. Moreover, the residual amount of levofloxacin in the raw water was up to 0.414 μg L−1, whereas amoxicillin was shown to be the most detectable drug in the raw water of Al-Rasheed plant, with a concentration of 1.50 μg L−1. The results of this study revealed the existence of antibiotic drugs in raw and finished water and should be included in the Iraqi standard for drinking water quality assessment.

Occurrence and fate of most prescribed antibiotics in different water environments of Tehran, Iran

The presence of most prescribed antibiotic compounds from four therapeutic classes (β-lactam, cephalosporins, macrolides, fluoroquinolones) were studied at two full-scale WWTPs, two rivers, thirteen groundwater resources, and five water treatment plants in Tehran. Analytical methodology was based on high performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry after solid-phase extraction. Samples were collected at 33 sample locations on three sampling periods over four months from June to August 2016. None of the target antibiotics were detected in groundwater resources and water treatment plants, while seven out of nine target antibiotics were analyzed in two studied river waters as well as the influent and effluent of wastewater treatment plants at concentrations ranging from <LOQ to 926.32ng/L. Ciprofloxacin predominated in all analyzed influent (552.6-796.2ng/L) and effluent (127-248.7ng/L) samples of WWTP A, whereas cephalosporins including cephalexin (523.3-977.7ng/L) and cefixime (278.65 to 422.1ng/L) were the most abundant detected antibiotics in the influent and effluent of WWTP B. Aqueous phase removal efficiencies were assessed and ranged from 339.83% to 100% for the seven detected antibiotics. "Negative removals" were observed for erythromycin, azithromycin, and cefixime due to the deconjugation of conjugated metabolites via biological transformation in the studied WWTPs. From a statistical point of view, significant differences (p<0.05) were observed in the concentrations of cefixime, cephalexin, azithromycin, and erythromycin in the effluent of both studied WWTPs. Ciprofloxacin and cephalexin were the most abundant detected antibiotics in the two studied river waters. Statistical results revealed that there were significant differences in the concentrations of ciprofloxacin, azithromycin, and erythromycin (p<0.05) in Firozabad ditch (receiving WWTP effluent) and Kan River (non-receiving WWTP effluent) which demonstrated that WWTPs discharges could be an important source of antibiotics being released in water bodies.

A novel permanganate–morin–CdS quantum dots flow injection chemiluminescence system for sensitive determination of vancomycin

The intensity of emitted light from KMnO₄−morin−CdS QDs system is described as a novel chemiluminescence (CL) reaction. The CL intensity of this CL system was remarkably enhanced in the presence of vancomycin.