title: Removal of Penicillin G by combination of sonolysis and Photocatalytic (sonophotocatalytic) process from aqueous solution: process optimization using RSM (Response Surface Methodology).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Penicillin G (PG) is used in a variety of infectious diseases, extensively. Generally, when antibiotics are introduced into the food chain, they pose a threat to the environment and can risk health outcomes. The aim of the present study was the removal of Penicillin G from an aqueous solution through an integrated system of UV/ZnO and UV/WO3with Ultrasound pretreatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this descriptive-analytical work dealing with the removal of Penicillin G from an aqueous solution, four significant variables, contact time (60-120 min), Penicillin G concentration (50-150 mg/L), ZnO dose (200-400 mg/L), and WO3dose (100-200 mg/L) were investigated. Experiments were performed in a Pyrex reactor (batch, 1 Lit) with an artificial UV 100-Watt medium pressure mercury lamp, coupled with ultrasound (100 W, 40 KHz) for PG pre-treatment. Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) was selected to follow the performance of the photo-catalytic process and sonolysis. The experiments were based on a Central Composite Design (CCD) and analyzed by Response Surface Methodology (RSM). A mathematical model of the process was designed according to the proposed degradation scheme.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed that the maximum removal of PG occurred in ultrasonic/UV/WO3in the presence of 50 mg/L WO3and contact time of 120 minutes. In addition, an increase in the PG concentration caused a decrease in COD removal. As the initial concentration of the catalyst increased, the COD removal also increased. The maximum COD removal (91.3%) achieved by 200 mg/L WO3and 400 mg/l ZnO, a contact time of 120 minutes, and an antibiotic concentration of 50 mg/L. All of the variables in the process efficiency were found to be significant (p < 0.05). Catalyst dose and contact time were shown to have a positive effect on the response (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The research data supported the conclusion that the combination of advanced oxidation process of sonolysis and photocatalytic (sonophotocatalytic) were applicable and environmentally friendly processes, which preferably can be applied extensively.
authors: Ph.D. of Environmental Health Engineering, Professor, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Social Development And Health Promotion Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
authors: Ali
authors: A
authors: Almasi
authors: Ph.D. Student of Environmental Health Engineering, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Hamadan University Of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
authors: Abdollah
authors: A
authors: Dargahi
authors: M.Sc. of Environmental Health Engineering, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Kermanshah University Of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
authors: Mitra
authors: M
authors: Mohamadi
authors: M.Sc. of Environmental Health Engineering, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Social Development & Health Oromotion Research Center, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran.
authors: Hamed
authors: H
authors: Biglari
authors: Ph.D. Student of Pathology, Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
authors: Farhad
authors: F
authors: Amirian
authors: M.Sc. of Biostatistics, Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran.
authors: Mehdi
authors: M
authors: Raei
keywords: Advanced oxidation; COD removal; Integrated process; Penicillin G; Response Surface Methodology