Photodegradation kinetics of androgenic steroids boldenone and trenbolone in aqueous solutions

The subject of this study was photodegradation of boldenone and trenbolone belonging to the class of compounds which demonstrate endocrine disrupting activity. Their decomposition was carried out on the pathway of 254 nm photolysis alone and in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. The influence of pH, oxygen content in the reaction mixture, initial substrate concentration, photon fluence rate and initial concentration of H2O2 on the reaction rate was investigated. The effect of radical scavenger on the reaction course was also tested. The obtained results were used to determine kinetic parameters. Quantum yields of boldenone and trenbolone decay were equal to 0.61 ± 0.02 and 0.0029 ± 0.0002, respectively. The estimated rate constant of the reaction of hydroxyl radicals with trenbolone was (4.3 ± 0.8) × 109 M−1 s−1.