Abstract
The use of antibiotics has increased in the last five years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to an increase in antibiotic concentrations in wastewater. Therefore, there is a need for the implementation of technology for antibiotic degradation. This research aimed to determine the efficiency of the advanced oxidation process (AOP) using a combination of UV/H2O2 for antibiotic degradation. The degradation was conducted using the antibiotic amoxicillin in a batch-wise experiment. Response Surface Methodology with Central Composite Design (RSM-CCD) was employed to optimize the efficiency of the degradation process. The result revealed that the degradation rate constants and efficiency using UV/H2O2 were 0.0127/min and 62.43 %, respectively, which was higher than that of UV (0.0043/min and 30.524 %) or H2O2 (0.0033/min and 20.365 %) after 90 min of treatment. The optimum solution was achieved at an initial pH of 4.2, an amoxicillin concentration of 45.85 mg/ L, and an H2O2 concentration of 10.093 mM. Under these optimal conditions, the degradation efficiency of amoxicillin could reach 99.98 %. In addition, the results of the study demonstrate the inhibitory effect of the degraded amoxicillin on pathogenic bacteria, thus indicating that the photochemical oxidation process can effectively degrade amoxicillin residues in wastewater. This study showed that photochemical oxidation has the potential to be an effective approach for antibiotic degradation.
Schematic of the UV/H2O2 reactor
1, Input, 2, Output, 3, Tank, 4, UV lamp, 5, Pump, 6, Venturi, 7, Valve (flow rate control), 8, Power on/off.
Review
Amoxicillin, a widely prescribed antibiotic, has become a notable environmental contaminant, particularly due to increased usage during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our recent research at Diponegoro University investigates a UV/H2O2-based photo-oxidative process to effectively degrade amoxicillin in wastewater, showing strong potential in combating antibiotic pollution and reducing the risk of microbial resistance.
Why UV/H2O2? The UV/H2O2 method combines ultraviolet light with hydrogen peroxide to produce hydroxyl radicals—highly reactive molecules that break down persistent pollutants such as antibiotics. Our study achieved a remarkable 99.98% degradation efficiency of amoxicillin under optimal conditions: pH 4.2, amoxicillin concentration of 45.85 mg/L, and H2O2 concentration of 10.093 mM. This degradation rate significantly surpasses results from using UV or H2O2 alone, showcasing the combined approach’s efficacy.
Key Findings The research also found that the UV/H2O2 degradation reduced amoxicillin’s antibacterial activity against bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, suggesting decreased potency post-treatment. Due to potential byproduct persistence, further testing is recommended to assess the impact on antibiotic resistance within aquatic ecosystems.
Conclusion The UV/H2O2 degradation method offers an effective solution for antibiotic removal in wastewater, highlighting the role of advanced oxidation processes in environmental safety. Readers interested in exploring our recent findings can access the full article here for detailed insights and data.
