Electrochemical degradation of tetracycline in artificial urine medium

Treatment of Organics in Wastewater Using Electrogenerated Gaseous Oxidants

This work focuses on the comparison of the performance of direct electrochemical oxidation with indirect electrolysis mediated by gaseous oxidants in the treatment of diluted wastewater. To do this, energy consumptions of the electrolysis using mixed metal oxide (MMO) electrodes are compared with those required for the production and use of chlorine dioxide in the degradation of methomyl contained in aqueous solutions. Results demonstrate the feasibility of the mediated oxidation process and that this process is competitive with direct oxidation. The oxidants are produced under optimized conditions using the same anodic material applied for the direct degradation of organics, thus avoiding efficiency losses associated with mass transfer limitations in the degradation of dilute organic solutions. Thus, using the ClO2 gaseous oxidant, a concentration of 0.1 mM of methomyl from a solution containing 500 mL is completely removed with an energy consumption as low as 50 Wh. The application of the same energy to a direct electrolytic process for treating the same wastewater can only reach less than half of this removal. These findings may have a very important application in the use of electrochemical technology to achieve the remediation of persistent pollutants in wastewater, where their low concentrations typically make direct processes very inefficient.

Comparison of hybrid RNA-based models to predict the degradation and mineralization of the microcontaminant hormone 17β-estradiol

New alternatives for effluent decontamination, such as electrochemical oxidation, are being developed to provide adequate removal of endocrine disruptors such as 17β-estradiol in wastewater. In this study, data-driven models of response surface methodology, artificial neural networks, wavelet neural networks, and adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system will be used to predict the degradation and mineralization of the microcontaminant hormone 17β-estradiol through an electrochemical process to contribute to the treatment of effluent containing urine. With the use of different statistical criteria and graphical analysis of the correlation between observed and predicted data, it was possible to conduct a comparative analysis of the performances of the data-driven approaches. The results point to the superiority of the adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (correlation coefficient, R2, ranged from 0.99330 to 0.99682 for TOC removal and from 0.95330 to 0.99223 for the degradation of the hormone 17β-estradiol) techniques over the others. The remaining results obtained with the other metrics are consistent with this analysis.

Electrocatalytic Determination of Uric Acid with the Poly(Tartrazine)-Modified Pencil Graphite Electrode in Human Serum and Artificial Urine

A novel electrocatalytic sensing strategy was built for uric acid (UA) determination with an exceptionally developed poly(tartrazine)-modified activated pencil graphite electrode (pTRT/aPGE) in human serum and artificial urine. The oxidation signal of UA at 275 mV in pH 7.5 phosphate buffer solution served as the analytical response. Cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to characterize the sensing platform, which was able to detect 0.10 μM of UA in the ranges of 0.34-60 and 70-140 μM. The samples of human serum and artificial urine were analyzed by both the pTRT/aPGE and the uricase-modified screen-printed electrode. The results were statistically evaluated and compared with each other within the confidence level of 95%, and no significant difference between the results was found.

DNA-functionalized carbon quantum dots for electrochemical detection of pyocyanin: A quorum sensing molecule in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The electrochemical biosensing strategy for pyocyanin (PYO), a virulent quorum-sensing molecule responsible for Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections, was developed by mimicking its extracellular DNA interaction. Calf thymus DNA (ct-DNA) functionalized amine-containing carbon quantum dots (CQDs) were used as a biomimetic receptor for electrochemical sensing of PYO as low as 37 nM in real urine sample. The ct-DNA-based biosensor enabled the selective measurement of PYO in the presence of other interfering species. Calibration and validation of the PYO sensor platform were demonstrated in buffer solution (0-100 μM), microbial culture media (0-100 μM), artificial urine (0-400 μM), and real urine sample (0-250 μM). The sensor capability was successfully implemented for point-of-care (POC) detection of PYO release from Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains during lag and stationary phases. Cross-reactivity of the sensing platform was also tested in other bacterial species such as Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Shigella dysenteriae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Potential clinical implementation of the ct-DNA-based sensor was manifested in detecting the PYO in P. aeruginosa cultured baby diaper and sanitary napkin. Our results highlight that the newly developed ct-DNA-based sensing platform can be used as a potential candidate for real-time POC diagnosis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in clinical samples.

Electrodegradation of cyclophosphamide in artificial urine by combined methods

The degradation of the chemotherapeutic drug cyclophosphamide in artificial urine was evaluated by Electrochemical Advanced Oxidation Processes (EAOP). The system consisted of an electrochemical flow reactor with a commercial DSA^® electrode (nominal composition Ti / Ru_0,3Ti_0,7O₂) and Ti-mesh cathode. In order to assess the best parameters, the effect of current density, time and flow rate were analyzed using an initial 2³ factorial design. The chosen response variable was the energy efficiency to produce free chlorine species (HClO/ClO^-). After obtaining the most significant factors, the Central Composite Design (CCD) was performed, where the optimum conditions were determined for the current density range (11.714 mA cm^-2 and 66.57 mA cm^-2), flow rate (31.33 mL min^-1) and time range (19 and 37 min). Under an optimized condition, the efficiency of other combined methods (photo-assisted electrochemical, photochemical, sonoelectrochemical and photo-assisted sonoelectrochemical) was evaluated. The efficiency of degradation processes was determined by removal of Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), creatinine and urea. Analysis by HPLC demonstrates that the cyclophosphamide was substantially removed during the treatment process of ∼77%. Based on these results, it can be observed that the coupling between electrochemical and photochemical processes is a promising alternative for the treatment of this effluent, as a marked reduction of organic matter is observed (63, 94% of creatinine, 29.62% of urea, 39.1% of TOC) and a low treatment cost ratio.

Hybrid process of adsorption and electrochemically based green regeneration of bentonite clay for ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin removal

Removal of emerging contaminants, such as antibiotics, from wastewater by adsorption is a simple, low-cost, and high-performance process; however, regeneration and reuse of the exhausted adsorbent are necessary to make the process economically viable. This study aimed to investigate the possibility of electrochemical-based regeneration of clay-type materials. For this, the calcined Verde-lodo (CVL) clay was saturated with the antibiotics ofloxacin (OFL) and ciprofloxacin (CIP) in one-component systems by an adsorption process and then subjected to photo-assisted electrochemical oxidation (0.45 A, 0.05 mol/L NaCl, UV-254 nm, and 60 min), which promotes both pollutant degradation and adsorbent regeneration. The external surface of the CVL clay was investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy before and after the adsorption process. The influence of regeneration time was evaluated for the CVL clay/OFL and CVL clay/CIP systems, and the results demonstrate high regeneration efficiencies after 1 h of photo-assisted electrochemical oxidation. Clay stability during regeneration was investigated by four successive cycles in different aqueous matrices (ultrapure water, synthetic urine, and river water). The results indicated that the CVL clay is relatively stable under the photo-assisted electrochemical regeneration process. Furthermore, CVL clay was able to remove antibiotics even in the presence of natural interfering agents. The hybrid adsorption/oxidation process applied here demonstrated the electrochemical-based regeneration potential of CVL clay for the treatment of emerging contaminants, since it can be operated quickly (1h of treatment) and with lower consumption of energy (3.93 kWh kg^-1) than the traditional method of thermal regeneration (10 kWh kg^-1).

Electro-oxidation of tetracycline in ethanol-water mixture using DSA-Cl2 anode and stimulating/monitoring the formation of organic radicals

Recent studies reported a new strategy of electro-oxidation of organic compounds using methanol as solvent. Considering its well-known toxicity, this work sought to evaluate the use of ethanol as an alternative solvent for pollutants degradation. Therefore, thorough analyses were performed in order to evaluate tetracycline (TC) electro-oxidation using DSA-Cl₂ anode in ethanol-H₂O solutions. The effects of solvent mixture, pH and current density on the degradation efficiency were evaluated. TC degradation in methanol-water and ethanol-water media resulted in very close removals of 95% and 90%, respectively, after 15 min of electrolysis at 10 mA cm^-2. In ethanol medium, the increase in current densities from 10 to 25 mA cm^-2 did not lead to significant changes in removal efficiency. The variation of the initial pH of the solution showed that the best removal efficiencies were obtained at neutral pH resulting in TC removals up to 90%, which is actually related to the molecular structure of TC. Through analysis using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), the formation of radicals such as hydroxyethyl (CH₃^●CHOH), hydroxyl (^●OH) and ethoxy (CH₃CH₂O^●) were detected, which effectively contributed toward the pollutant oxidation.

Animal carcass burial management: implications for sustainable biochar use

This review focuses on existing technologies for carcass and corpse disposal and potential alternative treatment strategies. Furthermore, key issues related to these treatments (e.g., carcass and corpse disposal events, available methods, performances, and limitations) are addressed in conjunction with associated environmental impacts. Simultaneously, various treatment technologies have been evaluated to provide insights into the adsorptive removal of specific pollutants derived from carcass disposal and management. In this regard, it has been proposed that a low-cost pollutant sorbent may be utilized, namely, biochar. Biochar has demonstrated the ability to remove (in)organic pollutants and excess nutrients from soils and waters; thus, we identify possible biochar uses for soil and water remediation at carcass and corpse disposal sites. To date, however, little emphasis has been placed on potential biochar use to manage such disposal sites. We highlight the need for strategic efforts to accurately assess biochar effectiveness when applied towards the remediation of complex pollutants produced and circulated within carcass and corpse burial systems.

Electrochemical Technologies to Decrease the Chemical Risk of Hospital Wastewater and Urine

The inefficiency of conventional biological processes to remove pharmaceutical compounds (PhCs) in wastewater is leading to their accumulation in aquatic environments. These compounds are characterized by high toxicity, high antibiotic activity and low biodegradability, and their presence is causing serious environmental risks. Because much of the PhCs consumed by humans are excreted in the urine, hospital effluents have been considered one of the main routes of entry of PhCs into the environment. In this work, a critical review of the technologies employed for the removal of PhCs in hospital wastewater was carried out. This review provides an overview of the current state of the developed technologies for decreasing the chemical risks associated with the presence of PhCs in hospital wastewater or urine in the last years, including conventional treatments (filtration, adsorption, or biological processes), advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) and electrochemical advanced oxidation processes (EAOPs).

Home Detection Technique for Na+ and K+ in Urine Using a Self-Calibrated all-Solid-State Ion-Selective Electrode Array Based on Polystyrene-Au Ion-Sensing Nanocomposites

An all-solid-state ion-selective electrode (ASS-ISE) array that is portable and easily miniaturized can meet the needs of home sensing devices for long-term health monitoring. However, their stability and accuracy are affected by the multistep modification required for ASS-ISE manufacturing and the complex background signal of real samples. In this study, a four-channel ISE array with the integration of a calibration channel has been developed based on polystyrene-Au (PS-Au) ion-sensing nanocomposites (PS-Au ISE array) for the home detection of Na⁺ and K⁺. The nanocomposites combine target recognition function and ion-electron transduction function and could be modified on the channel surface by direct drop-casting, thus simplifying the preparation process and then improving the stability. Meanwhile, the integrated calibration channel could automatically deduct complex background signals in real sample analysis and thus improve the accuracy. As a result, the proposed self-calibrated PS-Au ISE array showed a near Nernstian behavior for Na⁺ and K⁺ in the range of 1 × 10^-2 M-1 × 10^-4 M, and the detection limits were 6.8 × 10^-5 M and 5.5 × 10^-5 M in artificial urine. The linear equations can be obtained according to the slopes and intercepts of Na⁺ and K⁺, and thus, the concentration of the target ions can be directly read out by combining this PS-Au ISE array with the smart electronic device. Furthermore, the detection results of Na⁺ and K⁺ in human urine agreed well with those obtained by ICP-AES, suggesting that this proposed self-calibrated PS-Au ISE array is very suitable for home smart sensing devices, facilitating the health monitoring.

Electro-oxidation of tetracycline in methanol media on DSA®-Cl2

The electro-oxidation of tetracycline (TeC) in methanol medium containing chloride or sulfate ions was evaluated using a DSA®-Cl₂ in a flow reactor and compared with BDD. The results show that after 30 min of electrolysis no TeC is detected by liquid chromatography when chloride is used as supporting electrolyte. On the other hand, after 90 min of electrolysis using a BDD anode only 61% of TeC was removed from solutions with chloride, but in the presence of sulfate the removal reaches 94%. This evidences that the oxidizing species generated during electrochemical oxidation control the process and the mechanism of degradation of the TeC. Besides that, it was possible to infer that only a small amount of methanol might convert to formaldehyde or formic acid, although they were not detected according to the nil changes in the FTIR spectra or in the HPLC chromatograms recorded.

The electro-oxidation of tetracycline hydrochloride in commercial DSA® modified by electrodeposited platinum

Tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH) electro-oxidation by commercial DSA® and commercial DSA® modified by platinum electrodeposition was evaluated. The electrodeposition was carried out at constant potential (E = - 0.73 V vs RHE) in different times (1200, 2400, and 4800 s). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images show that Pt electrodeposits have elongated shape particle forming a uniform surface, and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) data confirms the presence of Pt on the surface. The electrochemical characterization by cyclic voltammetry showed an increase of the electrochemically active area (E_AA) in function of the Pt electrodeposition time. The electro-oxidation of the TCH 0.45 mmol L^-1 in H₂SO₄ 0.1 mol L^-1 solution was evaluated according to the applied current densities (j = 25, 50, 100 mA cm^-2). Both the amount of platinum deposited and j showed a slight improvement in the efficiency of TCH removal, reaching 97.2% of TCH removal to DSA®/Pt₄₈₀₀ and 100 mA cm^-2. The TCH mineralization (TOC removal), the percentage of mineralization current efficiency (MCE%), and energy consumption were 15.8%, 0.2649%, and 7.4138 kWh (g TOC)^-1, respectively. The DSA®/Pt electrodes showed higher stability to TCH electro-oxidation, indicating to be a promising material for the electro-oxidation of organic pollutants.

Hexametaphosphate as a potential therapy for the dissolution and prevention of kidney stones

The incidence of kidney stones is increasing worldwide, and recurrence is common (50% within 5 years). Citrate, the current gold standard therapy, which is usually given as potassium or sodium salts, is used because it raises urine pH and chelates calcium, the primary component of up to 94% of stones. In this study hexametaphosphate (HMP), a potent calcium chelator, was found to be 12 times more effective at dissolving calcium oxalate, the primary component of kidney stones, than citrate. HMP was also observed to be effective against other common kidney stone components, namely calcium phosphate and struvite (magnesium ammonium phosphate). Interestingly, HMP was capable of raising the zeta potential of calcium oxalate particles from -15.4 to -34.6 mV, which may prevent stone growth by aggregation, the most rapid growth mechanism, and thus avert occlusion. Notably, HMP was shown to be up to 16 times as effective as citrate at dissolving human kidney stones under simulated physiological conditions. It may thus be concluded that HMP is a promising potential therapy for calcium and struvite kidney stones.

High-efficiency electrochemical degradation of antiviral drug abacavir using a penetration flux porous Ti/SnO2-Sb anode

Electrochemical degradation of antiviral drug abacavir was investigated by using a penetration flux porous Ti/SnO₂-Sb anode prepared by sol-gel method. The effects of applied current density, initial pH, and inorganic anions on the degradation kinetics were systematically studied. Degradation efficiency more than 97% was performed in only 10 min at a current density of 0.2 mA cm^-2. The corresponding degradation rate constant and the lowest electrical energy per order were calculated to be 0.36 min^-1 and 6.5 mWh L^-1, respectively. Extending the reaction duration to 5 h, 53.3% of TOC removal was observed. The results indicated that effective degradation of abacavir appeared in the penetration flux porous Ti/SnO₂-Sb anode with a very low energy consumption. Furthermore, the electrochemical intermediate products and the reaction site during abacavir degradation were detected and recognized. The quantitative structure-activity relationship model revealed that the potential risks of abacavir to the aquatic organism, such as fish, greatly decreased after flowing through the penetration flux porous Ti/SnO₂-Sb anode.