Abstract

LUNA-SANCHEZ, R.A. et al. Photodegradation of omeprazole in aqueous solution using TiO₂ as catalyst. Rev. Mex. Ing. Quím [online]. 2013, vol.12, n.1, pp.85-95. ISSN 1665-2738.

In this paper we have studied the photodegradation of omeprazole in aqueous solution, this medicament: is the active ingredient in many antacids widely used worldwide. Omeprazole used in the experiments of degradation was obtained by the process of solid-liquid extraction from a generic brand commercial medicament. The degradation experiments were carried out in a reactor illuminated with low energy UV light lamps using TiO₂ Degussa P25 as catalyst. The experimental results indicate that the organic compound is easily degraded in a very short period of time. However, the omeprazole mol ecule is not mineralized in a rapid manner. In the same way as other aromatic compounds, omeprazole is transformed to other organic compounds before being mineralized to CO₂ and water.

Keywords : omeprazole; medicaments; photodegradation; titanium dioxide (TiO₂).