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Quantitative microbial risk assessment for antibiotic pathogenic bacteria via hydroponically grown vegetable

Hydroponics is a cultivation method using nutrient solutions instead of soil. Since hydroponics continuously provides an optimal environment for vegetables and requires less water and land, it is expected to be actively utilized in countries that are working to improve food self-sufficiency. However, in a major hydroponics system, nutrient solutions are circulated without disinfection, so once pathogenic bacteria are introduced, they can spread rapidly throughout the facility. Also since biofilms that form in hydroponics facilities can facilitate the horizontal gene transfer of antibiotic resistant genes, hydroponics and hydroponically grown vegetables can become a hotbed of health hazards caused by antibiotic resistant pathogenic bacteria. However, no risk assessment of hydroponics or antibiotic resistant bacteria has been conducted. Therefore, this study aims to perform the quantitative microbial risk assessment for antibiotic pathogenic bacteria via hydroponically grown vegetables.

1. Quantitative microbial risk assessment for pathogenic bacteria via hydroponicallly grown vegetable
   Shun Takayama, Daisuke Sano
   The 1st Internatinal Symposium for Water-Energy-Food Nexus in Wastewater Reclamatioin and Reuse
   Tohoku University (July 25, 2023)