Degradation and acute toxicity removal of the antidepressant Fluoxetine (Prozac (R)) in aqueous systems by electron beam irradiation

Author(s)

Ogihara Silva, Vanessa Honda ^[1] ; dos Santos Batista, Ana Paula ^[2] ; Silva Costa Teixeira, Antonio Carlos ^[2] ; Borrely, Sueli Ivone ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] IPEN CNEN SP, Nucl & Energy Res Inst, Radiat Technol Ctr, Av Prof Lineu Prestes 2242, BR-05508000 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Chem Engn, Av Prof Luciano Gualberto 380, BR-05508010 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Environmental Science and Pollution Research; v. 23, n. 12, p. 11927-11936, JUN 2016.
• Web of Science Citations: 12

Abstract

Electron beam irradiation (EBI) has been considered an advanced technology for the treatment of water and wastewater, whereas very few previous investigations reported its use for removing pharmaceutical pollutants. In this study, the degradation of fluoxetine (FLX), an antidepressant marketed as Prozac (R), was investigated by using EBI at FLX initial concentration of 19.4 +/- 0.2 mg L-1. More than 90 % FLX degradation was achieved at 0.5 kGy, with FLX below the detection limit (0.012 mg L-1) at doses higher than 2.5 kGy. The elucidation of organic byproducts performed using direct injection mass spectrometry, along with the results of ion chromatography, indicated hydroxylation of FLX molecules with release of fluoride and nitrate anions. Nevertheless, about 80 % of the total organic carbon concentration remained even for 7.5 kGy or higher doses. The decreases in acute toxicity achieved 86.8 and 9.6 % for Daphnia similis and Vibrio fischeri after EBI exposure at 5 kGy, respectively. These results suggest that EBI could be an alternative to eliminate FLX and to decrease residual toxicity from wastewater generated in pharmaceutical formulation facilities, although further investigation is needed for correlating the FLX degradation mechanism with the toxicity results. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/50218-2 - CEPEMA - Cooperative Center of Environmental Engineering
• Grantee: Claudio Augusto Oller do Nascimento
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 14/17996-4 - Granted EMU Proc 2013/50218-2: HPLS high performance liquid Chromatographer
• Grantee: Claudio Augusto Oller do Nascimento
• Support Opportunities: Multi-user Equipment Program