Degradation of prednisone in aqueous solutions by electron beam irradiation

A novel degradation study of prednisone (PRE) in aqueous systems (10 mg L^-1) was performed under electron beam irradiation (EBI) in various conditions. The data demonstrate that the highest degradation caused by EBI was obtained with the oxidation of hydroxyl radicals. The proper amount of hydrogen peroxide could increase the PRE total carbon content removal rate. Nine degradation products of PRE in aqueous solution were preliminarily analyzed using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography in combination with mass spectrometry. Furthermore, the chemical analysis and possible degradation pathway were proposed with the assistance of theoretical calculation results by density functional theory. (author)