Siderophore-modified Fenton-like system for the degradation of propranolol in aqueous solutions at near neutral pH values

The use of Fe(III)-siderophore complexes in a Fenton process was investigated for degradation of propranolol, a model pollutant. Stenotrophomonas maltophilia 15 was isolated from a freshwater environment and used for siderophore production. The main factors influencing propranolol degradation, such as pH and the concentration of siderophore, H2O2, and O2, were examined. The degradation of propranolol was increasing with decreasing pH from 8.0 to 3.0. The presence of oxygen accelerated the generation of hydroxyl radicals, OH, which were verified to be mainly responsible for the degradation of propranolol. This work suggested that Fe(III)-siderophore complexes are a good alternative for the advanced treatment of organic pollutants at near neutral pH via the Fenton process.