2024 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

Optimization of Wastewater Treatment Systems for the Prevention of an Antimicrobial-Resistant Bacteria Pandemic

Research Project

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Project/Area Number	19H04330
Research Category	Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
Allocation Type	Single-year Grants
Section	一般
Review Section	Basic Section 64050:Sound material-cycle social systems-related
Research Institution	Kisarazu National College of Technology
Principal Investigator	OKUBO TSUTOMU 木更津工業高等専門学校, 環境都市工学科, 教授 (60581519)
Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha)	上村繁樹木更津工業高等専門学校, 環境都市工学科, 教授 (60300539) 井口晃徳新潟薬科大学, 応用生命科学部, 准教授 (60599786) 安井宣仁近畿大学工業高等専門学校, 総合システム工学科都市環境コース, 准教授 (90547481)
Project Period (FY)	2019-04-01 – 2024-03-31
Keywords	薬剤耐性菌 / 下水処理 / 消毒システム
Outline of Final Research Achievements	In this study, we investigated the presence and behavior of antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) bacteria in wastewater treatment plants. To achieve this, we developed a high-sensitivity detection method, analyzed the dynamics of AMR bacteria during the treatment process, and evaluated the effectiveness of disinfection technologies. A novel detection approach combining CARD-FISH and FACS was established, enabling specific visualization and enrichment of AMR bacteria. Furthermore, we quantitatively assessed the changes in resistant bacterial populations under different treatment methods and demonstrated the high efficiency of combined ultraviolet (UV) and chlorine-based disinfection. These findings provide a scientific foundation for controlling AMR bacteria through wastewater treatment.
Free Research Field	下水処理
Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements	本研究は、下水処理場に流下してくる薬剤耐性菌に対して、分子生物学的手法と環境工学的アプローチを融合させた新たな評価体系を提示した点で学術的に意義深い。特に、培養に依存しない高感度検出法の確立と、処理過程での耐性菌動態の可視化は、微生物生態学および公衆衛生学に貢献する。また、実用性の高い消毒技術の提案は、将来の下水処理政策や水再利用技術の高度化、さらには薬剤耐性対策に資するものであり、社会的にも極めて重要な成果である。