Abstract Degradation and mineralization of ibuprofen (IBU) were investigated using Ultraviolet (U... more Abstract Degradation and mineralization of ibuprofen (IBU) were investigated using Ultraviolet (UV) Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) in TiO 2 photocatalysis. Samples of ultrapure water (UP) and a secondary treated effluent of a municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), both spiked with IBU, as well as a highly concentrated IBU (230 mg L −1 ) pharmaceutical industry wastewater (PIWW), were tested in the TiO 2 /UV-LED system. Three operating parameters, namely, pH, catalyst load and number of LEDs were optimized. The process efficiency was evaluated in terms of IBU removal using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). Additionally, the mineralization was investigated by determining the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) content. The chemical structures of transformation products were proposed based on the data obtained using liquid chromatography with a high resolution mass spectrometer ion trap/time-of-flight (LC-MS-IT-TOF). A possible pathway of IBU degradation was accordingly suggested. Bioassays were performed using the marine bacterium Vibrio fischeri to evaluate the potential acute toxicity of original and treated wastewaters. TiO 2 heterogeneous photocatalysis was efficient to remove IBU from UP and from PIWW, and less efficient in treating the wastewater from the municipal WWTP. The acute toxicity decreased by ca. 40% after treatment, regardless of the studied matrix.
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, Dec 22, 2013
Medium (i.e. 15 years) and long-term (i.e. 20 years) impact of irrigation using secondary-treated... more Medium (i.e. 15 years) and long-term (i.e. 20 years) impact of irrigation using secondary-treated municipal wastewater (TWW) was assessed on two agricultural soil samples, denoted by E and G, respectively, in the vicinity of El Hajeb region (Southern Tunisia). Soil pH, electrical conductivity particle size grading, potential risk of salinity, water holding capacity and chemical composition, as well as organic matter content, pathogenic microorganisms and heavy metal concentrations in the TWW-irrigated (E and G) and rainwater-irrigated (T) soils at various depths, were monitored and compared during a 5-year experiment. Our study showed that bacterial abundance is higher in sandy-clayey soil, which has an enhanced ability to retain moisture and nutrients. The high level of bacterial flora in TWW-irrigated soils was significantly (p < 0.05) correlated (r = ~0.5) with the high level of OM. Avoidance assays have been used to assess toxic effects generated by hazards in soils. The earthworms gradually avoided the soils from the surface (20 cm) to the depth (60 cm) of the G transect and then the E transect, preferring the T transect. The same behaviour was observed for springtails, but they seem to be less sensitive to the living conditions in transects G and E than the earthworms. The avoidance response test of Eisenia andrei was statistically correlated with soil layers at the sampling sites. However, the avoidance response test of Folsomia candida was positively correlated with silt-clay content (+0.744*) and was negatively correlated with sand content (-0.744*).
Advances in science, technology & innovation, 2018
The Euro-Mediterranean Consortium of Institutes of Higher Education and Industry (C3ESI) is made ... more The Euro-Mediterranean Consortium of Institutes of Higher Education and Industry (C3ESI) is made up of universities and colleges of engineering.
The purpose of this study was to prevent or to delay the onset of diabetes-related complications,... more The purpose of this study was to prevent or to delay the onset of diabetes-related complications, by using a natural marine resource, Sardina pilchardus oil, administrated to alloxan-induced diabetic rats showing hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of the sardine oil detected 18 constituents. The major ones were n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids among which are docosahexaenoic acid (25.09%) and eicosapentaenoic acid (19.61%). Sardine oil inhibited the α-amylase activity in rats' sera (26.82%) and thus improved glycemia (54%). The supplement of this oil protected the β-cells from death and damage, significantly decreased total triglycerides, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol concentrations in diabetic rats' sera and increased the HDL-cholesterol level. Gavage administration of this oil to rats protected the liver and kidney functions by reducing the aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase and phosphatase alkaline activities, and by decreasing creatinine, urea and uric acid levels.
Trends in Environmental Analytical Chemistry, Jun 1, 2021
Abstract Field-effect transistors (FETs) are one of the most widely-used electronic sensors for c... more Abstract Field-effect transistors (FETs) are one of the most widely-used electronic sensors for continuous monitoring and detection of contaminants such as pharmaceuticals and endocrine-disrupting compounds at low concentrations. FETs have been successfully utilized for the rapid analysis of these environmental pollutants due to their advantageous material properties like the disposability, rapid responses and simplicity. This paper presented an up-to-date overview of applied strategies with different bio-based materials in order to enhance the analytical performances of the designed sensors. Comparison and discussion were made between characteristics of recently engineered FET bio-sensors used for the detection of famous and selected pharmaceutical compounds in the literature. The recent progress in environmental research applications, comments on interesting trends, current challenge for future research in endocrine-disrupting chemicals’ (EDCs) detection using FETs biosensors were highlighted.
ABSTRACT The photo-degradation of an aqueous solution containing the azo dye methyl orange (MO) i... more ABSTRACT The photo-degradation of an aqueous solution containing the azo dye methyl orange (MO) is reported. Disappearance of color and substrate together with decreases in chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total organic carbon (TOC) content were observed. The effects of some auxiliary dyeing additives were also evaluated. The photo-decomposition followed pseudo-first-order kinetics. Some by-products and their photo-degradation pathways were identified. In addition, the toxicity and phytotoxicity of some by-products were tested using the earthworm (Eisenia andrei) avoidance test and the Bromus ramosus seed germination test. High sensitivity of E. andrei towards soil wetted with MO solution was observed, and germination of B. ramosus seeds was inhibited by MO solution, while no effects were seen for the same solution after photocatalytic oxidation.
Direct photolysis and TiO2-photocatalytic degradation of naproxen (NPX) in aqueous solution were ... more Direct photolysis and TiO2-photocatalytic degradation of naproxen (NPX) in aqueous solution were studied using a UV lamp and solar irradiation. The degradation of NPX was found to be in accordance with pseudo-first order kinetics, the photocatalytic process being more efficient than photolysis. The NPX removal by photolysis (pHinitial 6.5) was 83% after 3h, with 11% of chemical oxygen demand (COD) reduction, whereas the TiO2-UV process led to higher removals of both NPX (98%) and COD (25%). The apparent pseudo-first-order rate constant (kapp) for NPX degradation by photolysis ranged from 0.0050min(-1) at pH 3.5 to 0.0095min(-1) at pH 6.5, while it was estimated to be 0.0063min(-1) under acidic conditions in photocatalysis, increasing by 4-fold at pH 6.5. Ultra High Performance Liquid chromatography (UHPLC) coupled with a triple quadrupole detector and also a hybrid mass spectrometer which combines the linear ion trap triple quadrupole (LTQ) and OrbiTrap mass analyser, were used to identify NPX degradation products. The main intermediates detected were 1-(6-methoxynaphtalene-2-yl) ethylhydroperoxide, 2-ethyl-6-methoxynaphthalene, 1-(6-methoxynaphtalen-2-yl) ethanol, 1-(6-methoxynaphtalen-2-yl) ethanone and malic acid. Solar photocatalysis of NPX showed COD removals of 33% and 65% after 3 and 4h of treatment, respectively, and some reduction of acute toxicity, evaluated by the exposure of Eisenia andrei to OECD soils spiked with NPX-treated solutions.
Abstract Degradation and mineralization of ibuprofen (IBU) were investigated using Ultraviolet (U... more Abstract Degradation and mineralization of ibuprofen (IBU) were investigated using Ultraviolet (UV) Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) in TiO 2 photocatalysis. Samples of ultrapure water (UP) and a secondary treated effluent of a municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), both spiked with IBU, as well as a highly concentrated IBU (230 mg L −1 ) pharmaceutical industry wastewater (PIWW), were tested in the TiO 2 /UV-LED system. Three operating parameters, namely, pH, catalyst load and number of LEDs were optimized. The process efficiency was evaluated in terms of IBU removal using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). Additionally, the mineralization was investigated by determining the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) content. The chemical structures of transformation products were proposed based on the data obtained using liquid chromatography with a high resolution mass spectrometer ion trap/time-of-flight (LC-MS-IT-TOF). A possible pathway of IBU degradation was accordingly suggested. Bioassays were performed using the marine bacterium Vibrio fischeri to evaluate the potential acute toxicity of original and treated wastewaters. TiO 2 heterogeneous photocatalysis was efficient to remove IBU from UP and from PIWW, and less efficient in treating the wastewater from the municipal WWTP. The acute toxicity decreased by ca. 40% after treatment, regardless of the studied matrix.
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, Dec 22, 2013
Medium (i.e. 15 years) and long-term (i.e. 20 years) impact of irrigation using secondary-treated... more Medium (i.e. 15 years) and long-term (i.e. 20 years) impact of irrigation using secondary-treated municipal wastewater (TWW) was assessed on two agricultural soil samples, denoted by E and G, respectively, in the vicinity of El Hajeb region (Southern Tunisia). Soil pH, electrical conductivity particle size grading, potential risk of salinity, water holding capacity and chemical composition, as well as organic matter content, pathogenic microorganisms and heavy metal concentrations in the TWW-irrigated (E and G) and rainwater-irrigated (T) soils at various depths, were monitored and compared during a 5-year experiment. Our study showed that bacterial abundance is higher in sandy-clayey soil, which has an enhanced ability to retain moisture and nutrients. The high level of bacterial flora in TWW-irrigated soils was significantly (p < 0.05) correlated (r = ~0.5) with the high level of OM. Avoidance assays have been used to assess toxic effects generated by hazards in soils. The earthworms gradually avoided the soils from the surface (20 cm) to the depth (60 cm) of the G transect and then the E transect, preferring the T transect. The same behaviour was observed for springtails, but they seem to be less sensitive to the living conditions in transects G and E than the earthworms. The avoidance response test of Eisenia andrei was statistically correlated with soil layers at the sampling sites. However, the avoidance response test of Folsomia candida was positively correlated with silt-clay content (+0.744*) and was negatively correlated with sand content (-0.744*).
Advances in science, technology & innovation, 2018
The Euro-Mediterranean Consortium of Institutes of Higher Education and Industry (C3ESI) is made ... more The Euro-Mediterranean Consortium of Institutes of Higher Education and Industry (C3ESI) is made up of universities and colleges of engineering.
The purpose of this study was to prevent or to delay the onset of diabetes-related complications,... more The purpose of this study was to prevent or to delay the onset of diabetes-related complications, by using a natural marine resource, Sardina pilchardus oil, administrated to alloxan-induced diabetic rats showing hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of the sardine oil detected 18 constituents. The major ones were n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids among which are docosahexaenoic acid (25.09%) and eicosapentaenoic acid (19.61%). Sardine oil inhibited the α-amylase activity in rats' sera (26.82%) and thus improved glycemia (54%). The supplement of this oil protected the β-cells from death and damage, significantly decreased total triglycerides, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol concentrations in diabetic rats' sera and increased the HDL-cholesterol level. Gavage administration of this oil to rats protected the liver and kidney functions by reducing the aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase and phosphatase alkaline activities, and by decreasing creatinine, urea and uric acid levels.
Trends in Environmental Analytical Chemistry, Jun 1, 2021
Abstract Field-effect transistors (FETs) are one of the most widely-used electronic sensors for c... more Abstract Field-effect transistors (FETs) are one of the most widely-used electronic sensors for continuous monitoring and detection of contaminants such as pharmaceuticals and endocrine-disrupting compounds at low concentrations. FETs have been successfully utilized for the rapid analysis of these environmental pollutants due to their advantageous material properties like the disposability, rapid responses and simplicity. This paper presented an up-to-date overview of applied strategies with different bio-based materials in order to enhance the analytical performances of the designed sensors. Comparison and discussion were made between characteristics of recently engineered FET bio-sensors used for the detection of famous and selected pharmaceutical compounds in the literature. The recent progress in environmental research applications, comments on interesting trends, current challenge for future research in endocrine-disrupting chemicals’ (EDCs) detection using FETs biosensors were highlighted.
ABSTRACT The photo-degradation of an aqueous solution containing the azo dye methyl orange (MO) i... more ABSTRACT The photo-degradation of an aqueous solution containing the azo dye methyl orange (MO) is reported. Disappearance of color and substrate together with decreases in chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total organic carbon (TOC) content were observed. The effects of some auxiliary dyeing additives were also evaluated. The photo-decomposition followed pseudo-first-order kinetics. Some by-products and their photo-degradation pathways were identified. In addition, the toxicity and phytotoxicity of some by-products were tested using the earthworm (Eisenia andrei) avoidance test and the Bromus ramosus seed germination test. High sensitivity of E. andrei towards soil wetted with MO solution was observed, and germination of B. ramosus seeds was inhibited by MO solution, while no effects were seen for the same solution after photocatalytic oxidation.
Direct photolysis and TiO2-photocatalytic degradation of naproxen (NPX) in aqueous solution were ... more Direct photolysis and TiO2-photocatalytic degradation of naproxen (NPX) in aqueous solution were studied using a UV lamp and solar irradiation. The degradation of NPX was found to be in accordance with pseudo-first order kinetics, the photocatalytic process being more efficient than photolysis. The NPX removal by photolysis (pHinitial 6.5) was 83% after 3h, with 11% of chemical oxygen demand (COD) reduction, whereas the TiO2-UV process led to higher removals of both NPX (98%) and COD (25%). The apparent pseudo-first-order rate constant (kapp) for NPX degradation by photolysis ranged from 0.0050min(-1) at pH 3.5 to 0.0095min(-1) at pH 6.5, while it was estimated to be 0.0063min(-1) under acidic conditions in photocatalysis, increasing by 4-fold at pH 6.5. Ultra High Performance Liquid chromatography (UHPLC) coupled with a triple quadrupole detector and also a hybrid mass spectrometer which combines the linear ion trap triple quadrupole (LTQ) and OrbiTrap mass analyser, were used to identify NPX degradation products. The main intermediates detected were 1-(6-methoxynaphtalene-2-yl) ethylhydroperoxide, 2-ethyl-6-methoxynaphthalene, 1-(6-methoxynaphtalen-2-yl) ethanol, 1-(6-methoxynaphtalen-2-yl) ethanone and malic acid. Solar photocatalysis of NPX showed COD removals of 33% and 65% after 3 and 4h of treatment, respectively, and some reduction of acute toxicity, evaluated by the exposure of Eisenia andrei to OECD soils spiked with NPX-treated solutions.
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