Russian scientists have developed a new way of cleaning wastewater from tetracycline antibiotics, which enter the environment with animal waste. The presence of antibiotics leads to the emergence and reproduction of potentially hazardous microorganisms resistant to drugs. This is reported in a press release published on the website of St. Petersburg State University.
Researchers have created a sorbate based on a biodegradable hydroxyapatite material. With the help of new techniques, scientists managed to reduce the synthesis time of this material. The sorbent nanoparticles were covered with molecules that contribute to more efficient capture of antibiotics. With the change in the conditions of the antibiotics, it is easily separated from molecules, which improves the regeneration of the sorbent.
Specialists offered a new strategy for finding highly efficient sorbents, which allows you to choose the desired structure and composition of the surface, and also reduces the time to create new materials. On the basis of this data, computer simulation is carried out to select molecules suitable for a particular antibiotic. As a result of one to three sorbents, an experimental verification is undergoing, which reduces the study time.