Aquaticpollutants

Nanoenabled strategies to reduce the presence of contaminants of emergent concern in aquatic environments

Contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) such as antibiotics, pathogens and antimicrobial resistant (AMR) bacteria in water bodies associated with intensive fish and inland animal farming, represent a great threat to the environment and human health. AMROCE aims at reducing antibiotic pollution and the spread of AMR bacteria in the entire water cycle through a platform of novel antibiotic-free antimicrobial products. AMROCE will develop antimicrobial/antibiofilm fish cage nets and wastewater filtration membranes through polymer and surface nano-engineering. Marine-derived antimicrobial agents and antibiofilm enzymes will be nano-formulated as alternative to antibiotics for fish and animal feed supplement. Human and environmental nanosafety during the manufacturing and use of the novel nanotechnology-embedded products will be continuously evaluated to anticipate nanosafety issues.

Keywords

Antimicrobial resistant bacteria, antibiotic-free antimicrobials, CECs reduction, nano-coated materials, nano-formulated antimicrobials