Study on Activated Carbon derived from Cassava Peels as Magnetic Solid of Dispersive Solid Phase Extraction Technique for Determination of Tetracycline

Abstract

Concern on the existence of antibiotic residues in aqueous environment has been growing in recent years since they are known to impart various severe effects on human health and environment. In general, the concentration of antibiotic residue in environment is in trace level and often below the limit of detection of analytical instruments, implying that sample preparation prior to analysis requires particular strategy. In the present work, activated carbon produced from cassava peel was converted into magnetite activated carbon followed by utilization of magnetite activated carbon produced as adsorbent for tetracycline antibiotic, in order to evaluate its potential as the material for dispersive solid‐phase extraction (DSPE).Characteristics of the adsorbent were investigated using several techniques including Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X‐ray diffraction. Several parameters influencing the adsorption by DSPE were optimized. The tetracycline adsorbed by magnetic activated carbon was analyzed using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer at a wavelength of 275 nm. Characterizations revealed that the adsorbent has irregular surface, rough and highly porous structure with magnetic properties. Adsorption experiments indicate that equilibrium reached at pH 6, time 10 minute and adsorbate concentration 1 mg/L. By application of 20 mg adsorbent, the highest percentage of adsorption of 73 was achieved. The study indicates that magnetic activated carbon from cassava peel has promising potential as a low-cost and effective adsorbent for determination of tetracycline residues in aquatic environment.