Integrated approach for sustainable degradation of tolperisone hydrochloride from water by photodegradation: Chemometrics, chemical kinetics, intermediates, and environmental toxicity assessment

Abstract

Even though we have only one planet to live on, environmental pollution is still an urgent global issue. Among all-natural threatened resources, the drinkable water has one of the most burdening influences on the life quality and economy. The pharmaceutically active ingredients are the most concerning pollutants. In this study, heterogeneous photocatalysis was used as a sustainable alternative for tolperisone hydrochloride (TLP) removal from water. The degradation pathway of TLP was also analyzed using various scavengers and it was found that the contribution of reactive species changed in following order: OHfree· ˃ h+ ≫ OHads· > e-. Furthermore, 12 photodegradation intermediates of TLP were identified using LC–ESI–MS/MS. In addition, the toxicity of TLP and its degradation intermediates were examined on barley, using chemometrics. The most significant variations were observed on barley plant after 4 days of germination and on the root, during the barley biomass production. The results also showed that TLP and its intermediates are harmful to the plants, due to deteriorating water uptake with toxic TLP-compounds that reach the vital parts of plants. Also, slightly variations in total nitrogen amount were observed. The high genetic variability efficiently guards barley from various environmental stresses.