Remediation of Residual Antibiotics in Fermentation Residues via Packed‐Bed DBD Plasma: Feasibility, Optimization, and Mechanism

The safe management of antibiotic fermentation residues (AFR) is challenged by persistent bioactive antibiotics. This study employed packed‐bed dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma to degrade pleuromutilin (PLM) via two strategies: (ⅰ) actual PLM residue achieved 94% removal in 40 min with reduced antibacterial activity; (ⅱ) γ‐Al 2 O 3 model system attained 98.90% removal in 10 min at 19 kV. Radical quenching confirmed reactive oxygen species ( 1 O 2 , O 2 − ) dominated degradation. LC‐MS/DFT analyses revealed plasma preferentially attacks electron‐rich PLM sites, forming low‐toxicity oxygenated products via hydroxylation and ring‐opening oxidation. Packed‐bed DBD plasma effectively reduces antimicrobial burden in hazardous AFR, offering a promising sustainable management technology.