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Review article - Peer-reviewed, 2021

Predictive Environmental Microbiology for Safe Use of Sanitation Products in Agriculture: Challenges and Perspectives

Oishi, Wakana; Vinneras, Bjorn; Rose, Joan B.; Sano, Daisuke

Abstract

Human excreta is a local resource of plant nutrients. The recovery of resources from human excreta and the use of excreta-derived organic fertilizer (sanitation products) for agriculture are compatible with the principle of the Circular Economy. Infectious disease risk associated with resource recovery activities is reduced by following the practices recommended in the guidelines for safe use of sanitation products. This study briefly reviews the domestic and international regulations and specifies the need for developing predictive environmental microbiology. Predictive environmental microbiology is a methodology that aims to predict the rate of inactivation of pathogens in sanitation products using mathematical models. We address the main challenges in applying modeling approaches to sanitization of human excreta matrices, specifically incorporating the heterogeneous nature of matrices and technology-specific factors into the kinetics parameters. In addition, the uncertainty in viral tolerance stems from the genetic nature of viral populations and should be considered in a model of inactivation kinetics for viral indicators. We emphasize the need for a fundamental understanding of pathogen adaptation mechanisms in developing a disinfection method for sanitation products. Disclosing a genetic/phenotypic factor underlying disinfection resistance and the consequent modification of model kinetics will lead to effective sanitization strategies against enteric viruses with varied tolerance.

Published in

Environmental Science and Technology Letters
2021, volume: 8, number: 11, pages: 924-931
Publisher: AMER CHEMICAL SOC

Authors' information

Oishi, Wakana
Tohoku University
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Energy and Technology
Rose, Joan B.
Michigan State University
Sano, Daisuke
Tohoku University

Associated SLU-program

SLU Plant Protection Network

UKÄ Subject classification

Environmental Sciences

Publication Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.estlett.1c00537

URI (permanent link to this page)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/114463