Validation of a chromatographic method for amoxicillin determination in wastewaters after its degradation by advanced oxidation process

A rapid analytical procedure based on high performance liquid chromatography for identification and quantification of amoxicillin in wastewaters after its degradation by advanced oxidation process (AOP) was developed and validated. The proposed methodology was validated concerning to linearity, precision, limit of quantification, and limit of detection according to the required INMETRO and ANVISA (regulatory agencies in Brazil) standards. The method was applied to the determination of amoxicillin in wastewaters from wastewater treatment plant of a Brazilian pharmaceutical industry spiked with amoxicillin after AOP treatment process on a pilot scale reactor. The method allows the determination of the referred drug in a concentration range of 10–100 mg L−1 with a detection limit of 2.32 mg L−1, a quantification limit of 7.04 mg L−1, and enabling control of contaminant removal.