Local Electric Field-Incorporated In-Situ Copper Ions Eliminating Pathogens and Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Drinking Water
Background/Objectives: Pathogen inactivation and harmful gene destruction from water just before drinking is the last line of defense to protect people from waterborne diseases. However, commonly used disinfection methods, such as chlorination, ultraviolet irradiation, and membrane filtration, exper...
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MDPI AG
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Antibiotics |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/13/12/1161 |
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| author | Ruiqing Li Haojie Dai Wei Wang Rulin Peng Shenbo Yu Xueying Zhang Zheng-Yang Huo Qingbin Yuan Yi Luo |
| author_facet | Ruiqing Li Haojie Dai Wei Wang Rulin Peng Shenbo Yu Xueying Zhang Zheng-Yang Huo Qingbin Yuan Yi Luo |
| author_sort | Ruiqing Li |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background/Objectives: Pathogen inactivation and harmful gene destruction from water just before drinking is the last line of defense to protect people from waterborne diseases. However, commonly used disinfection methods, such as chlorination, ultraviolet irradiation, and membrane filtration, experience several challenges such as continuous chemical dosing, the spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), and intensive energy consumption. Methods: Here, we perform a simultaneous elimination of pathogens and ARGs in drinking water using local electric fields and in-situ generated trace copper ions (LEF-Cu) without external chemical dosing. A 100-μm thin copper wire placed in the center of a household water pipe can generate local electric fields and trace copper ions near its surface after an external low voltage is applied. Results: The local electric field rapidly damages the outer structure of microorganisms through electroporation, and the trace copper ions can effectively permeate the electroporated microorganisms, successfully damaging their nucleic acids. The LEF-Cu disinfection system achieved complete inactivation (>6 log removal) of <i>Escherichia coli</i> O157:H7, <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> PAO1, and bacteriophage MS2 in drinking water at 2 V for 2 min, with low energy consumption (10<sup>−2</sup> kWh/m<sup>3</sup>). Meanwhile, the system effectively damages both intracellular (0.54~0.64 log) and extracellular (0.5~1.09 log) ARGs and blocks horizontal gene transfer. Conclusions: LEF-Cu disinfection holds promise for preventing horizontal gene transfer and providing safe drinking water for household applications. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-01c85a775e6e4620a048d0924fdd7fde |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2079-6382 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Antibiotics |
| spelling | doaj-art-01c85a775e6e4620a048d0924fdd7fde2024-12-27T14:06:13ZengMDPI AGAntibiotics2079-63822024-12-011312116110.3390/antibiotics13121161Local Electric Field-Incorporated In-Situ Copper Ions Eliminating Pathogens and Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Drinking WaterRuiqing Li0Haojie Dai1Wei Wang2Rulin Peng3Shenbo Yu4Xueying Zhang5Zheng-Yang Huo6Qingbin Yuan7Yi Luo8School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, ChinaSchool of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, ChinaSchool of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, ChinaSchool of Environment and Natural Resources, Renmin University of China, Beijing 100872, ChinaSchool of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, ChinaSchool of Chemistry and Life Resources, Renmin University of China, Beijing 100872, ChinaSchool of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, ChinaSchool of Environment and Natural Resources, Renmin University of China, Beijing 100872, ChinaBackground/Objectives: Pathogen inactivation and harmful gene destruction from water just before drinking is the last line of defense to protect people from waterborne diseases. However, commonly used disinfection methods, such as chlorination, ultraviolet irradiation, and membrane filtration, experience several challenges such as continuous chemical dosing, the spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), and intensive energy consumption. Methods: Here, we perform a simultaneous elimination of pathogens and ARGs in drinking water using local electric fields and in-situ generated trace copper ions (LEF-Cu) without external chemical dosing. A 100-μm thin copper wire placed in the center of a household water pipe can generate local electric fields and trace copper ions near its surface after an external low voltage is applied. Results: The local electric field rapidly damages the outer structure of microorganisms through electroporation, and the trace copper ions can effectively permeate the electroporated microorganisms, successfully damaging their nucleic acids. The LEF-Cu disinfection system achieved complete inactivation (>6 log removal) of <i>Escherichia coli</i> O157:H7, <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> PAO1, and bacteriophage MS2 in drinking water at 2 V for 2 min, with low energy consumption (10<sup>−2</sup> kWh/m<sup>3</sup>). Meanwhile, the system effectively damages both intracellular (0.54~0.64 log) and extracellular (0.5~1.09 log) ARGs and blocks horizontal gene transfer. Conclusions: LEF-Cu disinfection holds promise for preventing horizontal gene transfer and providing safe drinking water for household applications.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/13/12/1161electroporationpathogensantibiotic resistance genescopper ions |
| spellingShingle | Ruiqing Li Haojie Dai Wei Wang Rulin Peng Shenbo Yu Xueying Zhang Zheng-Yang Huo Qingbin Yuan Yi Luo Local Electric Field-Incorporated In-Situ Copper Ions Eliminating Pathogens and Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Drinking Water Antibiotics electroporation pathogens antibiotic resistance genes copper ions |
| title | Local Electric Field-Incorporated In-Situ Copper Ions Eliminating Pathogens and Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Drinking Water |
| title_full | Local Electric Field-Incorporated In-Situ Copper Ions Eliminating Pathogens and Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Drinking Water |
| title_fullStr | Local Electric Field-Incorporated In-Situ Copper Ions Eliminating Pathogens and Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Drinking Water |
| title_full_unstemmed | Local Electric Field-Incorporated In-Situ Copper Ions Eliminating Pathogens and Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Drinking Water |
| title_short | Local Electric Field-Incorporated In-Situ Copper Ions Eliminating Pathogens and Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Drinking Water |
| title_sort | local electric field incorporated in situ copper ions eliminating pathogens and antibiotic resistance genes in drinking water |
| topic | electroporation pathogens antibiotic resistance genes copper ions |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/13/12/1161 |
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