High resolution mass spectrometry elucidation of captopril´s ozonation and chlorination by-products.

Abstract

The article evaluated the degradation of the captopril in aqueous solution after ozonation and chlorination. The process was continuously monitored focusing on the identification, mass spectrometry and elucidation of its by-products by applying direct infusion and high performance liquid chromatography, electrospray ionization high resolution mass spectrometry, in the negative ion mode. The cytotoxicity of its by-products solutions were evaluated with 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. It was observed through that after 30 min of ozonation and chlorination, there was complete oxidation of captopril, i .e ., 100% removal efficiency. At these conditions, the rate of mineralization, by total organic carbon, was only 7.63% for ozonation and 6.40% for chlorination, evidencing the formation of degradation by-products. Ten captopril by-products were identified and their respective chemical structures elucidations are proposed. The treated samples and their by-products were nontoxic to HepG2 cells by MTT assay.