Stability and removal of atorvastatin, rosuvastatin and simvastatin from wastewater

Abstract

Atorvastatin (ATO), rosuvastatin (RST) and simvastatin (SIM) are commonly used drugs that belong to the statin family (lowering human blood cholesterol levels) and have been detected as contaminants in natural waters. Stability and removal of ATO, RST and SIM from spiked wastewater produced at the Al-Quds University campus were investigated. All three statins were found to undergo degradation in wastewater (activated sludge). The degradation reactions of the three drugs in wastewater at room temperature follow first-order kinetics with rate constants of 2.2 × 10⁻⁷ s⁻¹ (ATO), 1.8 × 10⁻⁷ s⁻¹ (RST) and 1.8 × 10⁻⁶ s⁻¹ (SIM), which are larger than those obtained in pure water under the same conditions, 1.9 × 10⁻⁸ s⁻¹ (ATO), 2.2 × 10⁻⁸ s⁻¹ (RST) and 6.2 × 10⁻⁷ s⁻¹ (SIM). Degradation products were identified by LC-MS and LC/MS/MS. The overall performance of the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) installed in the Al-Quds University campus towards the removal of these drugs was assessed showing that more than 90% of spiked ATO, RST and SIM were removed. In order to evaluate the efficiency of alternative removal methods to replace ultra-filtration membranes, adsorption isotherms for the three statins were investigated using both activated carbon and clay-micelle complex as adsorbents. The batch adsorption isotherms for the three statins were found to fit the Langmuir equation, with a larger number of adsorption sites and binding affinity for micelle-clay composite compared with activated carbon and filtration experiments of the three statins and their corresponding metabolites demonstrated a more efficient removal by micelle-clay filters.

Kinetic study of the degradation/mineralization of aqueous solutions contaminated with Rosuvastatin drug by Electro-Fenton: Influence of experimental parameters

“…This behavior is an accordance with a previous study concerning the degradation of ROS in aqueous solutions [20] [58,59]. The value of the apparent rate constant K app is found to be 0.32 min -1 (R² = 0.992) at 30 mA, 0.53 min -1 (R² = 0.998) at 60 mA, 0.55 min -1 (R² = 0.991) at 100 mA, and 1.02 min -1 (R² = 0.996) at 300 mA.…”

“…Another study of degradation of rosuvastatin by wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) showed that the degradation rate in sludge was higher than in water because of the presence of many bacteria with a variety of enzymes Capable of catalyzing the processes of degradation of ROS. In addition, this treatment can cause secondary pollution of the environment [59]. Therefore, the present study investigates the performance of the EF process for the efficient removal of ROS.…”

Protective Effects of Fluvastatin on Reproductive Function in Obese Male Rats Induced by High-Fat Diet through Enhanced Signaling of mTOR

“…Recently, statins have been found to exert biological effects on osteoporosis, inflammation and other diseases in addition to their hypocholesterolemic activities [29][30][31]. Furthermore, several studies have shown that treatment with statins can reduce reproductive damage induced by hypercholesterolemia, however, the mechanisms by which obesity impairs spermatogenic function and how statins help recover from obesity-induced damage in the testes, sperm parameters, sex hormones, and metabolism is still unclear [32].…”

Effects of Mevastatin on Electricity Generation in Microbial Fuel Cells

“…Previously, these drugs including mevastatin were measured in wastewaters at concentrations such as 54.3 g L -1 , 21.6 g L -1 and 1.75 g L -1 on a daily basis [18]. The stability of atorvastatin, rosuvastatin and simvastatin drugs, which belong to the group of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) similar to mevastatin was also published [24]. To investigate their removal from wastewater, activated sludge samples were designed to contain drugs at a concentration of 1 g L -1 [24][25].…”