Bacteriophage-Based Strategies for the Control of Waterborne Pathogens: Emerging Technologies and Applications in Water Treatment Systems

The proliferation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and the formation of resilient biofilms present significant challenges to conventional disinfection methods. Bacteriophages (phages), viruses that specifically infect and lyse bacterial hosts, have emerged as promising, sustainable, and highly targeted biocontrol agents. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of recent advances (۲۰۲۰-۲۰۲۵) in phage-based technologies for mitigating waterborne pathogens across drinking water, wastewater, and engineered water systems. We delineate the fundamental biology and lytic mechanisms of virulent phages, emphasizing their role in biofilm disruption through depolymerase and peptidoglycan hydrolase activities. The synthesis covers the development of broad-host-range phage cocktails, the rational design of engineered phages via synthetic biology, and innovative delivery systems leveraging nanotechnology (e.g., phage-functionalized nanoparticles) and membrane immobilization. Furthermore, we evaluate hybrid systems integrating phages with ultraviolet (UV) light, photocatalysts, or low-dose chemical disinfectants, demonstrating synergistic effects that enhance treatment efficacy while reducing disinfection by-product (DBP) formation. A systematic review of recent literature reveals consistent log-reduction achievements (۲-۴ log) against target pathogens like Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Legionella pneumophila in bench-scale studies, with promising early pilot-scale results. However, critical challenges remain, including host-range specificity, bacterial resistance evolution, phage stability in diverse water matrices, and the absence of a robust regulatory framework. We conclude that while phage technology holds immense potential for revolutionizing water treatment, its translation to full-scale applications necessitates interdisciplinary research addressing ecological impact, long-term efficacy, and standardized safety protocols.

کلیدواژه ها:

Bacteriophage ، Water disinfection ، Biofilm control ، Phage cocktail ، Eengineered phage ، Wastewater treatment ، Advanced oxidation process