Detection of Ceftriaxone antibiotic and removal via complexation with Fe (III)

Abstract

Antibiotic pollution in the aquatic environment has emerged as one of the most serious concerns caused by the use of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs). Antibiotic levels in wastewater from pharmaceutical factories and hospitals have been detected at varying levels. An effective method for the removal of ceftriaxone (a β-lactam antibiotic) in aqueous systems has been developed. The method uses Fe(III) to complex ceftriaxone and removes it from the solution. Ultraviolet (UV) and Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) detection techniques were used to identify the ceftriaxone-Fe(III) complex, while high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), was used to quantify the amount of ceftriaxone removed. Results showed that 99.7 % of ceftriaxone was removed in 3 h by Fe (III) ions in a 1:1 concentration ratio at pH 3.3 and at room temperature. The study demonstrated that reaction time, and concentration ratio of the reactants are critical parameters for effective complexation. The complexation reaction technique has the potential to be used in a treatment process for the removal of ceftriaxone chemically from industrial wastewater. However, a neutralization step is required to process the waste aqueous phase.