Exploring the Microbial Ecology of Water in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Potential of Bacteriophages in Water Quality Monitoring and Treatment to Improve Its Safety
Access to safe water and food is a critical issue in sub-Saharan Africa, where microbial contamination poses significant health risks. Conventional water treatment and food preservation methods have limitations in addressing water safety, particularly for antibiotic-resistant bacteria and other path...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Viruses |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/16/12/1897 |
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| author | Boniface Oure Obong’o Fredrick Onyango Ogutu Shauna Kathleen Hurley Gertrude Maisiba Okiko Jennifer Mahony |
| author_facet | Boniface Oure Obong’o Fredrick Onyango Ogutu Shauna Kathleen Hurley Gertrude Maisiba Okiko Jennifer Mahony |
| author_sort | Boniface Oure Obong’o |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Access to safe water and food is a critical issue in sub-Saharan Africa, where microbial contamination poses significant health risks. Conventional water treatment and food preservation methods have limitations in addressing water safety, particularly for antibiotic-resistant bacteria and other pathogenic microorganisms. This review explores the potential application of bacteriophages as an innovative solution for water treatment and food safety in the region. Bacteriophages specifically infect bacteria and offer a targeted approach to reducing bacterial load, including multidrug-resistant strains, without the drawbacks of chemical disinfectants. This review also highlights the advantages of phage bioremediation, including its specificity, adaptability, and minimal environmental impact. It also discusses various case studies demonstrating its efficacy in different water systems. Additionally, we underscore the need for further research and the development of region-specific phage applications to improve water quality and public health outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa. By integrating bacteriophage strategies into water treatment and food production, the region can address critical microbial threats, mitigate the spread of antimicrobial resistance, and advance global efforts toward ensuring safe water for all. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-66c64a8c4cc54868b5ac8ce14503d7fc |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1999-4915 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Viruses |
| spelling | doaj-art-66c64a8c4cc54868b5ac8ce14503d7fc2025-08-20T02:01:15ZengMDPI AGViruses1999-49152024-12-011612189710.3390/v16121897Exploring the Microbial Ecology of Water in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Potential of Bacteriophages in Water Quality Monitoring and Treatment to Improve Its SafetyBoniface Oure Obong’o0Fredrick Onyango Ogutu1Shauna Kathleen Hurley2Gertrude Maisiba Okiko3Jennifer Mahony4Food Technology Division, Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI), Nairobi P.O. Box 30650-00100, KenyaFood Technology Division, Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI), Nairobi P.O. Box 30650-00100, KenyaAPC Microbiome Ireland, School of Microbiology, University College Cork, College Road, T12 K8AF Cork, IrelandFood Technology Division, Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI), Nairobi P.O. Box 30650-00100, KenyaAPC Microbiome Ireland, School of Microbiology, University College Cork, College Road, T12 K8AF Cork, IrelandAccess to safe water and food is a critical issue in sub-Saharan Africa, where microbial contamination poses significant health risks. Conventional water treatment and food preservation methods have limitations in addressing water safety, particularly for antibiotic-resistant bacteria and other pathogenic microorganisms. This review explores the potential application of bacteriophages as an innovative solution for water treatment and food safety in the region. Bacteriophages specifically infect bacteria and offer a targeted approach to reducing bacterial load, including multidrug-resistant strains, without the drawbacks of chemical disinfectants. This review also highlights the advantages of phage bioremediation, including its specificity, adaptability, and minimal environmental impact. It also discusses various case studies demonstrating its efficacy in different water systems. Additionally, we underscore the need for further research and the development of region-specific phage applications to improve water quality and public health outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa. By integrating bacteriophage strategies into water treatment and food production, the region can address critical microbial threats, mitigate the spread of antimicrobial resistance, and advance global efforts toward ensuring safe water for all.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/16/12/1897bacteriophageswater treatmentantimicrobial resistancewater qualityfood safetysub-Saharan Africa |
| spellingShingle | Boniface Oure Obong’o Fredrick Onyango Ogutu Shauna Kathleen Hurley Gertrude Maisiba Okiko Jennifer Mahony Exploring the Microbial Ecology of Water in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Potential of Bacteriophages in Water Quality Monitoring and Treatment to Improve Its Safety Viruses bacteriophages water treatment antimicrobial resistance water quality food safety sub-Saharan Africa |
| title | Exploring the Microbial Ecology of Water in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Potential of Bacteriophages in Water Quality Monitoring and Treatment to Improve Its Safety |
| title_full | Exploring the Microbial Ecology of Water in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Potential of Bacteriophages in Water Quality Monitoring and Treatment to Improve Its Safety |
| title_fullStr | Exploring the Microbial Ecology of Water in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Potential of Bacteriophages in Water Quality Monitoring and Treatment to Improve Its Safety |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exploring the Microbial Ecology of Water in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Potential of Bacteriophages in Water Quality Monitoring and Treatment to Improve Its Safety |
| title_short | Exploring the Microbial Ecology of Water in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Potential of Bacteriophages in Water Quality Monitoring and Treatment to Improve Its Safety |
| title_sort | exploring the microbial ecology of water in sub saharan africa and the potential of bacteriophages in water quality monitoring and treatment to improve its safety |
| topic | bacteriophages water treatment antimicrobial resistance water quality food safety sub-Saharan Africa |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/16/12/1897 |
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