Glucocorticoids in Freshwaters: Degradation by Solar Light and Environmental Toxicity of the Photoproducts

Alice Cantalupi, Federica Maraschi, Luca Pretali, Angelo Albini, Stefania Nicolis, Elida Nora Ferri, Antonella Profumo, Andrea Speltini and Michela Sturini
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Alice Cantalupi: Department of Chemistry, University of Pavia, via Taramelli 12, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Federica Maraschi: Department of Chemistry, University of Pavia, via Taramelli 12, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Luca Pretali: Department of Chemistry, University of Pavia, via Taramelli 12, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Angelo Albini: Department of Chemistry, University of Pavia, via Taramelli 12, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Stefania Nicolis: Department of Chemistry, University of Pavia, via Taramelli 12, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Elida Nora Ferri: Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, via S. Donato 15, 40127 Bologna, Italy
Antonella Profumo: Department of Chemistry, University of Pavia, via Taramelli 12, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Andrea Speltini: Department of Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, via Taramelli 12, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Michela Sturini: Department of Chemistry, University of Pavia, via Taramelli 12, 27100 Pavia, Italy

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 23, 1-15

Abstract: The photodegradation process of seven glucocorticoids (GCs), cortisone (CORT), hydrocortisone (HCORT), betamethasone (BETA), dexamethasone (DEXA), prednisone (PRED), prednisolone (PREDLO) and triamcinolone (TRIAM) was studied in tap and river water at a concentration close to the environmental ones. All drugs underwent sunlight degradation according to a pseudo-first-order decay. The kinetic constants ranged from 0.00082 min −1 for CORT to 0.024 min −1 for PRED and PREDLO. The photo-generated products were identified by high-pressure liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS). The main steps of the degradation pathways were the oxidative cleavage of the chain 17 for CORT, HCORT and the rearrangement of the cyclohexadiene moiety for the other GCs. The acute and chronic toxicity of GCs and of their photoproducts was assessed by the V. fischeri and P. subcapitata inhibition assays. The bioassays revealed no significant differences in toxicity between the parent compounds and their photoproducts, but the two organisms showed different responses. All samples produced a moderate acute toxic effect on V. fisheri and no one in the chronic tests. On the contrary, evident hormesis or eutrophic effect was produced on the algae, especially for long-term contact.

Keywords: glucocorticoids; solar light degradation; freshwater pollution; biotoxicity tests (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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