AMROCE
Nano-enabled strategies to reduce the presence of contaminants of emergent concern in aquatic environments
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Project coordinator: Prof. Tzanko TZANOV Communication contact: Prof. Tzanko TZANOV - tzanko.tzanov(at)upc.edu Dr. Julio BASTOS - julio.bastos(at)upc.edu |
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| Partners: | ||
| Prof. Aharon Gedanken | Bar Ilan University (BIU) | Israel |
| Dr Rasa Slizyte | SINTEF | Norway |
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Prof. Paride Mantecca |
The University of Milano-Bicocca (UNIMB) | Italy |
| Dr Massimo Perucca | Project SAS (PRJ) | Italy |
| Prof. Konstantinos Komnitsas | Technical University Crete (TUC) | Greece |
| Dr Tommi Vuorinen | VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd (VTT) | Finland |
| Prof. Maciej Szwast | Polymemtech (POL) | Poland |
Abstract
Contaminant of emerging concern (CECs) such as antibiotics, pathogens and antimicrobial resistant (AMR) bacteria in water bodies associated to intensive fish and inland animal farming, represent a great threat to the environment and human health.
A common issue with the fish cage nets is the formation of biofoulings and biofilms, acting as a bacteria reservoir and reducing the water flow inside the cages. This implies frequent net cleaning and replacement, or the use of expensive antifouling agents that increase the operating costs of fish farming. Nano-materials emerged as novel antimicrobial agents with demonstrated efficacy against AMR bacteria.
AMROCE aims at reducing antibiotic pollution and 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.
WP structure
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Led by |
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Led by |
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| WP1 |
UPC |
WP4 | PRJ | ||
| WP2 | BIU | WP5 | UPC | ||
| WP3 | UNIMB | ||||
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Expected research results
- Novel nano-formulation methodologies for quorum quenching enzymes, marine-derived lipids and Antimicrobial lipids and peptides
- Innovative nanocoating procedures of metal and metal oxide nanoparticles for fish cage nets(FCN) and water filtration membranes (WFM)
- New approaches for identification and extraction of lipids and AMP from algae and other marine-derived species
- Procedures for the development of antimicrobial and antibiofilm thermoplastic polymer nanocomposites for FCN and WFM
- Nano-toxicology data on antimicrobial/antibiofilm NPs and NP-enabled products (FCN and WFM)
- Novel schemes to study the leaching effect of antimicrobials actives from the coatings using simulated conditions
- Guidelines for sustainable nano-enabled products. Increased expertise for Life cycle assessment and costing in nanotechnologies
- Antimicrobial and antibiofilm water filtration membranes containing metal nanoparticles.
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For more details on the work plan and expected impact of the project consult the AquaticPollutants booklet.
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Keywords: Antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, antibiotic-free antimicrobials, CECs reduction, nano-coated materials, nano-formulated antimicrobials