Identification of the ibuprofen transformation products formed by different degradation processes

Ibuprofen (IBU), a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, is an emerging contaminant widely used in medicine. In the last decades, its consumption has drastically increased, as well as its concentration and that of its metabolites in water systems at concentrations that harm aquatic. Current strategies to remove ibuprofen are limited and often ineffective, because of its high persistence that makes it difficult to degrade by traditional wastewater treatment plants [1]. In this study, ibuprofen was subjected to degradation using different approaches: photocatalysis, sonocatalysis, as well as their combination (sonophotocatalysis). The maximum percentage of IBU degradation was 95% by photocatalysis, 78% by sonocatalysis and 100% by sonophotocatalysis. However, it is necessary to consider the possible formation of transformation products (TPs) that could be even more toxic than the precursor itself [2]. For this reason, a UHPLC-MS/MS method was developed and validated. Several IBU TPs have been identified and their chemical structures proposed in particular based on MS and MS/MS spectra. Finally, in-silico toxicity studies were carried out on the identified transformation products to assess their potential environmental impact compared to their precursor. [1] Molecules, 2023, 28 2097, doi: 10.3390/molecules28052097 [2] Environ Sci Pollut Res, 2025, doi.org/10.1007/s11356-025-36466-5