Ibuprofen as an emerging organic contaminant in environment, distribution and remediation

Abstract

Pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) are the one of sub-class under emerging organic contaminants (EOCs). Ibuprofen is the world's third most consumable drug. This drug enters into our water system through human pharmaceutical use. It attracts the attention of environmentalist on the basis of risk associated, presence and transformation in the environment. The detection and removal are the two key area where we need to focus. The concentration of such compounds in waterbodies detected through conventional and also by the advanced methods. This review we described the available technologies including chemical, physical and biological methods, etc used the for removal of Ibuprofen. The pure culture based method, mixed culture approach and activated sludge culture approach focused and pathway of degradation of ibuprofen was deciphered by using the various methods of structure determination. The various degradation methods used for Ibuprofen are discussed. The advanced methods coupled with physical, chemical, biological, chemical methods like ozonolysis, oxidation and adsorption, nanotechnology based methods, nanocatalysis and use of nonosensors to detect the presence of small amount in waterbodies can enhance the future degradation of this drug. It is necessary to develop the new detection methods to enhance the detection of such pollutants. With the developments in new detection methods based on GC-MS//MS, HPLC, LC/MS and nanotechnology based sensors makes easier detection of these compounds which can detect even very minute amount with great sensitivity and in less time. Also, the isolation and characterization of more potent microbial strains and nano-photocatalysis will significantly increase the future degradation of such harmful compounds from the environment.