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TiO2 photocatalytic degradation of caffeine and ecotoxicological assessment of oxidation by-products

  • Authors
    Corresponding: Giusy Lofrano
    Co-authors: Carotenuto M.
    Lofrano G.
    Siciliano A.
    Aliberti F.
    Guida M.
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  • gnest_01346_published.pdf
  • Paper ID
    gnest_01346
  • Paper status
    Published
  • Date paper submitted
  • Date paper accepted
  • Date paper online
DOI
https://doi.org/10.30955/gnj.001346
Abstract

The photocatalytic degradation of caffeine has been investigated in aqueous suspensions of titanium dioxide (TiO2) by monitoring process efficiency at varying TiO2 (25 - 175 mg l-1) and initial drug concentrations (0.5 - 9.5 mg l-1). The use of the response surface methodology (RSM) allowed to fit the optimal regions of the parameters leading to the degradation of the pollutant. Also, a single polynomial expression modelling the reaction was obtained. In parallel a set of bioassays (Daphnia magna, Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata and Lactuca sativa) was performed to evaluate the process in terms of detoxification of caffeine oxidation by-products under chronic and acute tests. Results clearly demonstrate that caffeine is quickly degraded, but not mineralized as quickly, and that persistent toxic organic intermediates resist further oxidation.

 

Keywords
caffeine Daphnia magna Lactuca sativa Photocatalysis Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata
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Cite this article
Carotenuto, M. et al. (2014) “TiO2 photocatalytic degradation of caffeine and ecotoxicological assessment of oxidation by-products ”, Global NEST Journal, 16(3). Available at: https://doi.org/10.30955/gnj.001346.
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  • gnest_01346_published.pdf