Electron beam irradiation applied for the detoxification and degradation of single ciprofloxacin aqueous solution and multiclass pharmaceutical quaternary mixture

•Degradation of ciprofloxacin and pharmaceuticals mixture in aqueous solutions was studied, including their detoxification.•Ionizing radiation was effective for degradation of pharmaceuticals mixtures in natural water.•Ecotoxicity and antimicrobial activity assays were carried out in order to assess radiation byproducts risks.•Decrease in antimicrobial activity was noted after EB irradiation.•Electron beam irradiation is a promising technology for detoxification of pollutants mixtures.