The mineralization of ketoprofen (KP) by anodic oxidation was studied by employing boron doped diamond (BDD) and Pt electrodes. The redox behavior of KP molecule, fouling of electrodes, generation of oxygen and active chlorine species were studied by cyclic voltammetry. The effect of electrolyte, pH of aqueous medium and applied current density on the mineralization behavior of KP was also investigated. The degradation and mineralization were monitored by UV-vis spectrophotometer and total organic carbon analyzer, respectively. The results were explained in terms of in situ generation of hydroxyl radical ((OH)-O-center dot), peroxodisulfate (S2O82-), and active chlorine species (Cl-2, HOCl, OCl-). The physisorbed (OH)-O-center dot on BDD was observed to trigger the combustion of KP in to CO2 and H2O. The poor mineralization at both BDD and Pt anodes in the presence of NaCl as supporting electrolyte was ascribed to the formation of chlorinated organic compounds which are refractory. Complete mineralization of KP molecule was achieved using Na2SO4 as supporting electrolyte. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.