Title: Effects of photocatalytic pre-treatment of penicillin G formulation effluent on its toxicity and biotreatability

Authors: I. Arslan-Alaton, F. Gurses

Addresses: Faculty of Civil Engineering, Department of Environmental Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, Maslak 34469, Istanbul, Turkey. ' Faculty of Civil Engineering, Department of Environmental Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, Maslak 34469, Istanbul, Turkey

Abstract: The effect of Fenton-like and photo-Fenton pre-treatment on the toxicity and biodegradability of Procaine Penicillin G (PPG) antibiotic formulation effluent was investigated. Fifty-six percent and 44% COD removal efficiencies were obtained and the BOD5/COD ratio increased from 0.10 to 0.45 and from 0.10 to 0.24 after application of photo-Fenton and Fenton-like processes, respectively. Overall TOC removal efficiencies were in the range of 42–35%. Based on the acute toxicity test results using Daphnia magna the photo-Fenton-like and Fenton-like processes were suitable methods for complete detoxification of PPG effluent. Pre-treated PPG effluent did not cause any inhibitory effect on the activated sludge process.

Keywords: antibiotic formulation effluent; Procaine Penicillin G; Fenton-like processes; photo-Fenton-like processes; biological activated sludge inhibition; toxicity; biodegradability; photocatalytic pre-treatment; wastewater treatment.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2006.010452

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2006 Vol.27 No.1/2/3, pp.38 - 48

Published online: 24 Jul 2006 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article