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Liu L, Wang N, Laghari AA, Li H, Wang C, Zhao Z, Gao X, Zeng Q. A Review and Perspective of Environmental Disinfection Technology Based on Microwave Irradiation. CURRENT POLLUTION REPORTS 2023; 9:46-59. [PMID: 36743476 PMCID: PMC9885074 DOI: 10.1007/s40726-022-00247-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW In the context of COVID-19 sweeping the world, the development of microbial disinfection methods in gas, liquid, and solid media has received widespread attention from researchers. As a disinfection technology that can adapt to different environmental media, microwave-assisted disinfection has the advantages of strong permeability, no secondary pollution, etc. The purpose of this review is to put forward new development requirements for future microwave disinfection strategies by summarizing current microwave disinfection methods and effects. From the perspective of the interaction mechanism of microwave and microorganisms, this review provides a development direction for more accurate and microscopic disinfection mechanism research. RECENT FINDINGS Compared to other traditional environmental disinfection techniques, microwave-assisted disinfection means have the advantages of being more destructive, free of secondary contamination, and thorough. Currently, researchers generally agree that the efficiency of microwave disinfection is the result of a combination of thermal and non-thermal effects. However, the performance of microwave disinfection shows the differences in the face of different environmental media as well as different types of microorganisms. SUMMARY This review highlights the inactivation mechanism of microwave-assisted disinfection techniques used in different scenarios. Suggestions for promoting the efficiency and overcoming the limitations of low energy utilization, complex reactor design, and inaccurate monitoring methods are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liming Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300350 China
| | - Na Wang
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, National Engineering Research Center of Distillation Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300350 China
| | - Azhar Ali Laghari
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300350 China
| | - Hong Li
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, National Engineering Research Center of Distillation Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300350 China
| | - Can Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300350 China
| | - Zhenyu Zhao
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, National Engineering Research Center of Distillation Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300350 China
| | - Xin Gao
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, National Engineering Research Center of Distillation Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300350 China
| | - Qiang Zeng
- Tianjin Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Tianjin, 300011 China
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Laghari AA, Liu L, Kalhoro DH, Chen H, Wang C. Mechanism for Reducing the Horizontal Transfer Risk of the Airborne Antibiotic-Resistant Genes of Escherichia coli Species through Microwave or UV Irradiation. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19074332. [PMID: 35410010 PMCID: PMC8998220 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19074332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARBs) and antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs) as new types of contaminants are discharged into the environment, increasing the risk of horizontal gene transfer (HGT). However, few researchers have examined the impacts of airborne ARB deactivation on HGT risk. The deactivation of airborne Escherichia coli 10667 (carrying sul genes) and the emission and removal of ARGs were mainly investigated in this study. Moreover, the potential mechanisms of HGT and transfer frequencies under microwave (MW) and ultraviolet (UV) irradiation were investigated using the nonresistant E. coli GMCC 13373 and E. coli DH5α with plasmid RP4 as the recipient and donor, respectively. E. coli CICC 10667 and E. coli DH5α with RP4 plasmid achieve log inactivation values as high as 5.5-log and 5.0-log, respectively, which were quite different from the antibiotic-sensitive strain E. coli CGMCC 13373 (3.4-log) subjected to MW irradiation. For UV disinfection, E. coli DH5α with the RP4 plasmid was reduced at 4.4-log, E. coli CGMCC 13373 was reduced at 2.3-log, and E. coli CICC 10667 was inactivated at 2.1-log. The removal rates of ARGs and HGT frequencies under MW irradiation were compared with those under UV irradiation. The ARGs removal efficiency (85.5%) obtained by MW was higher than that obtained by UV (48.2%). Consequently, the HGT frequency (0.008) of airborne ARGs released to the recipient (forward transfer) decreased and was lower than that under UV irradiation (0.014). Moreover, the plasmid RP4 was transferred from the donor to the surviving damaged E. coli 10667 as cell permeability (reverse transfer) was increased at a high HGT frequency (0.003) by MW, which was close to the value by UV (0.002). Additionally, sul1 and sul2 genes were confirmed to be more resistant to MW than the sul3 gene. These findings reveal the mechanism of HGT between damaged E. coli 10667 and surrounding environmental microbes. Microwave is a promising technology for disinfecting airborne microbes and preventing the spread of antibiotic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azhar Ali Laghari
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China; (A.A.L.); (L.L.)
| | - Liming Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China; (A.A.L.); (L.L.)
| | - Dildar Hussain Kalhoro
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam, Hyderabad 70050, Pakistan;
| | - Hong Chen
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China; (A.A.L.); (L.L.)
- Correspondence: (H.C.); (C.W.)
| | - Can Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China; (A.A.L.); (L.L.)
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, Tianjin 300350, China
- Correspondence: (H.C.); (C.W.)
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Wang C, Song L, Zhang Z, Wang Y, Xie X. Microwave-induced release and degradation of airborne antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) from Escherichia coli bioaerosol based on microwave absorbing material. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2020; 394:122535. [PMID: 32213383 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.122535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) have been detected in the atmosphere. Airborne ARGs transmission threatens human health. In the present study, we investigated the release and degradation of airborne ARGs from Escherichia coli bioaerosol through microwave (MW) irradiation. In this study, a new MW absorbing material (Fe3O4@SiC ceramic foam) that contributed to its stronger MW absorption is presented. When the MW input energy density was 7.4 × 103 kJ/m3, the concentration of airborne Escherichia coli decreased by 4.4 log. Different DNA forms were found in the air because MW irradiation ruptured cell membranes. The bound particles provide more protection for bound DNA in the degradation process than free DNA. After the self-degradation of the released airborne free ARGs, some of them would remain and continue to spread in the atmosphere. The released airborne free ARGs cannot be ignored. Total ARGs concentrations decrease rapidly with increased temperature. The inactivation rate constant of ARGs through MW irradiation is higher than that through the Fenton and UV, however, the energy efficiency per order of MW irradiation is lower. Therefore, MW irradiation with Fe3O4@SiC ceramic foam could efficiently degrade the distribution of ARGs in the atmosphere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Can Wang
- Tianjin Key Lab of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, Tianjin, PR China; School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, PR China; School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, GA, USA.
| | - Lu Song
- Tianjin Key Lab of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, Tianjin, PR China; School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, PR China
| | - ZhiWei Zhang
- Tianjin Key Lab of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, Tianjin, PR China; School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, PR China
| | - YiZhu Wang
- Tianjin Key Lab of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, Tianjin, PR China; School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, PR China
| | - Xing Xie
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, GA, USA
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Wang C, Hu X, Zhang Z. Airborne disinfection using microwave-based technology: Energy efficient and distinct inactivation mechanism compared with waterborne disinfection. JOURNAL OF AEROSOL SCIENCE 2019; 137:105437. [PMID: 32226120 PMCID: PMC7094417 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaerosci.2019.105437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Revised: 08/04/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Microwave has been extensively applied to inactivate microorganisms in liquids, food, and surfaces. However, energy efficiency is a limiting factor for the environmental application. The utilization pathway and energy efficiency of the microwave in different media have not been investigated. In this study, the inactivation performance, energy utilization, and bactericidal mechanisms for microwave-irradiated airborne and waterborne Escherichia coli were compared. A Beer-Lambert law-based model was also developed and validated to compare the inactivation performance in different phases. Microwave had greater inactivation effect on airborne bacteria than waterborne bacteria. The inactivation rate constant for airborne E. coli (0.29 s-1) was nearly 20 times higher than that of waterborne species (0.014 s-1). Most of the absorbed microwave energy (92.3%) was converted to increase water temperature instead of inactivating the waterborne bacteria, because the microwave photons were easily absorbed by water molecules. By contrast, 45.4% of the absorbed energy could disinfect the airborne bacteria. Finally, the required energies for 1-log inactivation were calculated as 2.3 J and 116.9 J per log-inactivation for airborne and waterborne E. coli, respectively. The airborne and waterborne E. coli samples showed distinct microwave inactivation mechanisms. Waterborne E. coli disinfection was primarily due to thermal effect, while the non-thermal effect was the major mechanism for airborne E. coli inactivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Can Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300350, PR China
- Tianjin Key Lab of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, Tianjin, 300350, PR China
| | - Xurui Hu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300350, PR China
- Tianjin Key Lab of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, Tianjin, 300350, PR China
| | - Zhiwei Zhang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300350, PR China
- Tianjin Key Lab of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, Tianjin, 300350, PR China
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Wang C, Zhang ZW, Liu H. Microwave-induced release and degradation of airborne endotoxins from Escherichia coli bioaerosol. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2019; 366:27-33. [PMID: 30500695 PMCID: PMC7116933 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2018.11.088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2018] [Revised: 10/18/2018] [Accepted: 11/22/2018] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Endotoxins are widely distributed toxins in the outer cell-wall membranes of Gram-negative bacteria and other microorganisms. Chronic exposure to endotoxins can induce and exacerbate airway symptoms and diseases. However, the release and degradation of airborne endotoxins from bioaerosol by microwave (MW) irradiation have not yet been reported. This study investigated the distribution and fate of airborne endotoxins during MW irradiation process, as well as the kinetics and thermodynamics of the degradation of airborne endotoxins. Results showed that MW irradiation induced cell lysis, thus considerably increasing the proportion of cells with ruptured membranes. Furthermore, MW irradiation changed the distribution of airborne endotoxins, sharply decreased the concentration of bound endotoxins from 230 EU/m3 to 68 EU/m3, and increased the concentration of free endotoxins from 21 EU/m3 to 122 EU/m3. These results indicated that MW irradiation released endotoxins from cells into the atmosphere. MW irradiation likely degraded endotoxins by exerting thermal effects, which achieved a total endotoxin removal efficiency of as high as 35%. Endotoxin degradation was a first-order reaction and required the activation energy of 26.3 kJ/mol.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, PR China; Tianjin Key Lab of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, Tianjin, PR China.
| | - Z W Zhang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, PR China; Tianjin Key Lab of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, Tianjin, PR China
| | - H Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, PR China; Tianjin Key Lab of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, Tianjin, PR China
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Wang C, Lu S, Zhang Z. Inactivation of airborne bacteria using different UV sources: Performance modeling, energy utilization, and endotoxin degradation. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 655:787-795. [PMID: 30481706 PMCID: PMC7112078 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.11.266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2018] [Revised: 10/23/2018] [Accepted: 11/17/2018] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Airborne bacteria-containing bioaerosols have attracted increased research attention on account of their adverse effects on human health. Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) is an effective method to inactivate airborne microorganisms. The present study models and compares the inactivation performance of three UV sources in the UVGI for aerosolized Escherichia coli. Inactivation efficiency of 0.5, 2.2 and 3.1 logarithmic order was obtained at an exposure UV dose of 370 J/m3 under UVA (365 nm), UVC (254 nm) and UVD (185 nm) sources, respectively. A Beer-Lambert law-based model was developed and validated to compare the inactivation performances of the UV sources, and modeling enabled prediction of inactivation efficiency and analysis of the sensitivity of several parameters. Low influent E. coli concentrations and high UV doses resulted in high energy consumption (EC). The change in airborne endotoxin concentration during UV inactivation was analyzed, and UVC and UVA irradiation showed no marked effect on endotoxin degradation. By contrast, both free and bound endotoxins could be removed by UVD treatment, which is attributed to the ozone generated by the UVD source. The results of this study can provide a better understanding of the air disinfection and airborne endotoxin removal processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Can Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, PR China; Tianjin Key Lab of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, Tianjin 300350, PR China.
| | - Siyi Lu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, PR China; Tianjin Key Lab of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, Tianjin 300350, PR China
| | - Zhiwei Zhang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, PR China; Tianjin Key Lab of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, Tianjin 300350, PR China
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Zhang Q, Damit B, Welch J, Park H, Wu CY, Sigmund W. Microwave assisted nanofibrous air filtration for disinfection of bioaerosols. JOURNAL OF AEROSOL SCIENCE 2010; 41:880-888. [PMID: 32287374 PMCID: PMC7126052 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaerosci.2010.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2010] [Revised: 06/03/2010] [Accepted: 06/04/2010] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Airborne biological agents, albeit intentionally released or naturally occurring, pose one of the biggest threats to public health and security. In this study, a microwave assisted nanofibrous air filtration system was developed to disinfect air containing airborne pathogens. Aerosolized E. coli vegetative cells and B. subtilis endospores, as benign surrogates of pathogens, were collected on nanofibrous filters and treated by microwave irradiation. Both static on-filter and dynamic in-flight tests were carried out. Results showed that E. coli cells were efficiently disinfected in both static and in-flight tests, whereas B. subtilis endospores were more resistant to this treatment. Microwave power level was found to be the major factor determining the effectiveness of disinfection. Both thermal and non-thermal effects of microwave irradiation contributed to the disinfection. Reducing flow velocity to decrease heat loss yielded higher disinfection efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Zhang
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Brian Damit
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - James Welch
- Department of Linguistics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Hyoungjun Park
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Florida, FL 32611, USA
| | - Chang-Yu Wu
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Wolfgang Sigmund
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Florida, FL 32611, USA
- Department of Energy Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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