Experimental data on antibiotic cephalexin removal using hydrogen peroxide and simulated sunlight radiation at lab...

Cephalexin (CPX) is a β-lactam antibiotic widely used to treat bacterial infections in the respiratory tract, skin, bones, and ear; a situation that has contributed to its discharge into wastewater (mainly through excretion after ingestion) and its accumulation in water bodies. CPX presence on environmental compartments could interfere in the physiological functions of animals and humans due to the induction of mutagenic and carcinogenic effects. Different technologies have been evaluated to remove CPX from aqueous matrices. In this way, this work presents the main data regarding the use of the combination of hydrogen peroxide and simulated sunlight radiation in CPX removal. Effects of H₂O₂ initial concentration and solution pH were evaluated using a face-centered, central composite design and the response surface methodology. Optimized conditions, under the evaluated experimental range, were established. In addition, data about the total organic carbon and anions content in treated samples were collected. These data can be useful for the evaluation of the use of H₂O₂ and light radiation on organic pollutants removal, the comparison of the effectiveness of different technologies on CPX elimination, and as a starting point to carry out this type of process at pilot or real scale.