PHOTOELECTROCHEMICAL TREATMENT FOR DEGRADATION OF OXITETRACYCLINE AND FLORFENICOL AND REMOVAL OF RESISTANCE GENES IN FISH WATER

• Grant number: 24/01301-9
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: September 01, 2024
• End date: August 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agricultural Engineering - Soil and Water Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Ariovaldo José da Silva
• Grantee: Ariovaldo José da Silva
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia Agrícola (FEAGRI). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Adilson Sartoratto ; José Roberto Guimarães ; Valeria Maia Merzel

Abstract

The accumulation of antibiotics in the environment has become a relevant topic worldwide due to the wide use of these compounds, mainly in the fish farming sector. The fact that many antibiotics are resistant to degradation leads to the search for alternative techniques for their removal in wastewater. In this context, photoelectrochemical treatment can be a promising alternative for the degradation of such compounds, and can be applied as an alternative treatment or post-treatment of wastewater. Moreover, it is a technology that is efficient for removing organisms that carry resistance genes. Therefore, the objective of this study is to evaluate whether, through photoelectrochemical treatment, it is possible to degrade oxytetracycline and florfenicol molecules and to eliminate bacteria carrying resistance genes to these antibiotics in aquatic environments, specifically in freshwater fish farming. In the photoelectrochemical process, carbon electrodes modified with titanium oxide (anode) and steel (cathode) will be used. It is expected that the photoelectrochemical treatment performs the efficient removal of bacteria carrying resistance genes and residual antibiotics oxytetracycline and florfenicol in fish farming water, and enables the recirculation and reuse of effluents. (AU)