Occurrence and control of fungi in water: New challenges in biological risk and safety assurance

Abstract

Recently, the contamination of fungi in water has aroused widespread concern, which will pose a threat to water quality and safety, and raise diseases risk in the immunocompromised individuals. In this review, the characteristics and different physiological state of fungi in water are summarized. A comprehensive evaluation of the control efficiency and mechanism of waterborne fungi by the commonly used disinfection methods is provided as well. During the disinfection processes of chlorine, chlorine dioxide, chloramine and advanced disinfection processes (ADPs) such as O₃-based ADPs and UV-based ADPs, the fungal spores firstly lost their culturability, followed by membrane integrity, and the intracellular reactive oxygen species level increased at the same time, eventually the fungal spores were completely inactivated. The security strategies of drinking water against the contamination of fungi are also discussed in terms of water sources, water treatment plants and pipe network. Finally, future researches need to be explored are proposed: the rapid detection methods, the production laws and control of mycotoxin, and the outbreak conditions of fungi in water. Specifically, exploring efficient, safe and economical technologies, especially ADPs, is still the main direction in the disinfection of fungi in future studies. This review can offer a comprehensive understanding on the occurrence and control of fungi in water to fill the knowledge gap and provide guidance for the future research.

Keywords: Contamination; Disinfection; Drinking water; Fungi; Security strategies.