Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) have been detected in the atmosphere. Airborne ARGs transmission threatens human health. In the present study, we investigated the release and degradation of airborne ARGs from Escherichia coli bioaerosol through microwave (MW) irradiation. In this study, a new MW absorbing material (Fe3O4@SiC ceramic foam) that contributed to its stronger MW absorption is presented. When the MW input energy density was 7.4 × 103 kJ/m3, the concentration of airborne Escherichia coli decreased by 4.4 log. Different DNA forms were found in the air because MW irradiation ruptured cell membranes. The bound particles provide more protection for bound DNA in the degradation process than free DNA. After the self-degradation of the released airborne free ARGs, some of them would remain and continue to spread in the atmosphere. The released airborne free ARGs cannot be ignored. Total ARGs concentrations decrease rapidly with increased temperature. The inactivation rate constant of ARGs through MW irradiation is higher than that through the Fenton and UV, however, the energy efficiency per order of MW irradiation is lower. Therefore, MW irradiation with Fe3O4@SiC ceramic foam could efficiently degrade the distribution of ARGs in the atmosphere.

中文翻译：

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微波诱导的基于微生物吸收材料的大肠杆菌生物气溶胶中的机载抗生素抗性基因（ARG）的释放和降解。

在大气中已检测到抗生素抗性基因（ARG）。机载ARG的传播会威胁人类健康。在本研究中，我们调查了通过微波（MW）辐射从大肠杆菌生物气溶胶中释放和降解空中ARGs。在这项研究中，提出了一种新型的吸波材料（Fe3O4 @ SiC陶瓷泡沫），有助于其更强的吸波性能。当兆瓦输入能量密度为7.4×103 kJ / m3时，机载大肠杆菌的浓度降低了4.4 log。在空气中发现了不同的DNA形式，因为MW辐射使细胞膜破裂。结合的颗粒在降解过程中比游离的DNA提供更多的保护。释放的空中游离ARG自我降解后，其中一些仍将保留并继续在大气中扩散。释放的机载免费ARG不容忽视。总的ARGs浓度随温度升高而迅速降低。MW辐照的ARGs的失活速率常数高于Fenton和UV的灭活速率常数，但是，每级MW辐照的能量效率较低。因此，用Fe3O4 @ SiC陶瓷泡沫进行MW辐照可以有效降低大气中ARGs的分布。