Efficient inactivation of antibiotic resistant bacteria by iron-modified biochar and persulfate system: Potential for controlling antimicrobial resistance spread and mechanism insights

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health threat, exacerbated by the spread of plasmid-encoded antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Persulfate-based advanced oxidation processes (PS-AOPs) have been developed as effective disinfection methods, but their effectiveness in blocking ARGs horizontal transfer remains elusive. A study using Fe-modified soybean straw biochar (FeSSB) as persulfate activators demonstrated that FeSSB800/PS achieved complete inactivation of ARBs within 60 minutes.