Biocatalytic Elimination of Pharmaceutics Found in Water With Hierarchical Silica Monoliths in Continuous Flow

Pharmaceutical products (PPs) are considered as emerging micropollutans in wastewaters, river and seawaters, sediments. The biodegradation of PPs, such ciprofloxacin, amoxicillin, sulfamethoxazole, tetracycline by enzymes aqueous solution was investigated. Laccase from Trametes versicolor immobilized on silica monoliths with hierarchical meso-/macropores. Different methods enzyme immobilization were experienced. most efficient process the covalent bonding through glutaraldehyde coupling amino-grafted monoliths. Silica different macropore mesopore diameters studied. best support monolith featuring largest diameter (20 µm) leading to highest permeability lowest pressure drop nm) ensuring high accessibility. optimized enzymatic reactor (150 mg) used for degradation a PP mixture ppm each 30 ml) continuous recycling configuration at flow rate 1 ml/min. elimination efficiency after 24 h 100% 60% 55% tetracycline, 30% ciprofloxacin.