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In developing countries, death due to diseases caused by fecal-oral ingestion can be avoided by taking action on drinking water issues. Adequate access to water treatment systems to reduce infections is a critical cause. Silver has been used as an antibacterial product, including biomedical applications. Therefore, in this paper, the effect of the chemical speciation of silver from silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs on the mortality of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Streptococcus faecalis (S. faecalis) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) suspended in aqueous solution was investigated for disinfection purposes.The following aspects were considered to develop the investigation: a) the technique to prepare the modified zeolitic materials, either with ionic silver or silver nanoparticles, which were obtained in two ways: one, with grapefruit extract and the second, by using non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates; b) the response of the prokaryotes (bacteria) and eukaryote (yeast) microorganisms to disinfectant agents in batch systems; c) the disinfection processes as a function of time to obtain kinetics parameters; and d) the kinetics of the silver release from the silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs, considering the models of Higuchi and Korsmeyer. The zeolitic materials were characterized by low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).The non-thermal plasma reduced ionic silver is more efficient at generating silver compounds with several oxidation states, which are essential during the microbial inhibition process. For the bacterial (E. coli and S. faecalis), the materials with nanoparticles were efficient to inactivate them. However, the yeast (C. albicans) reaches the total inactivation when the zeolitic material contains ionic silver in the crystalline network.The E. coli, S. faecalis and C. albicans survival behavior suspended in aqueous solutions after contact with Ag-modified natural zeolites depends on the chemical speciation of the silver present in these materials, Ag+1 in the case of OAgiZ or nanoparticles of Ago promoted by the grapefruit extract (OAgnpTZ), as well as by non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates (OAgnpPZ). In general, the concentration of silver in the aqueous solution after the disinfection process cannot exceed the recommended levels established for international organizations. The OAgnpPZ is a potential microbicide agent against E. coli and C. albicans, and the OAgnpTZ for F. faecalis.Graphical abstractARTWORK.ARTWORK.In developing countries, death due to diseases caused by fecal-oral ingestion can be avoided by taking action on drinking water issues. Adequate access to water treatment systems to reduce infections is a critical cause. Silver has been used as an antibacterial product, including biomedical applications. Therefore, in this paper, the effect of the chemical speciation of silver from silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs on the mortality of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Streptococcus faecalis (S. faecalis) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) suspended in aqueous solution was investigated for disinfection purposes.The following aspects were considered to develop the investigation: a) the technique to prepare the modified zeolitic materials, either with ionic silver or silver nanoparticles, which were obtained in two ways: one, with grapefruit extract and the second, by using non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates; b) the response of the prokaryotes (bacteria) and eukaryote (yeast) microorganisms to disinfectant agents in batch systems; c) the disinfection processes as a function of time to obtain kinetics parameters; and d) the kinetics of the silver release from the silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs, considering the models of Higuchi and Korsmeyer. The zeolitic materials were characterized by low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).The non-thermal plasma reduced ionic silver is more efficient at generating silver compounds with several oxidation states, which are essential during the microbial inhibition process. For the bacterial (E. coli and S. faecalis), the materials with nanoparticles were efficient to inactivate them. However, the yeast (C. albicans) reaches the total inactivation when the zeolitic material contains ionic silver in the crystalline network.The E. coli, S. faecalis and C. albicans survival behavior suspended in aqueous solutions after contact with Ag-modified natural zeolites depends on the chemical speciation of the silver present in these materials, Ag+1 in the case of OAgiZ or nanoparticles of Ago promoted by the grapefruit extract (OAgnpTZ), as well as by non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates (OAgnpPZ). In general, the concentration of silver in the aqueous solution after the disinfection process cannot exceed the recommended levels established for international organizations. The OAgnpPZ is a potential microbicide agent against E. coli and C. albicans, and the OAgnpTZ for F. faecalis.Graphical abstractARTWORK.ARTWORK.In developing countries, death due to diseases caused by fecal-oral ingestion can be avoided by taking action on drinking water issues. Adequate access to water treatment systems to reduce infections is a critical cause. Silver has been used as an antibacterial product, including biomedical applications. Therefore, in this paper, the effect of the chemical speciation of silver from silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs on the mortality of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Streptococcus faecalis (S. faecalis) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) suspended in aqueous solution was investigated for disinfection purposes.The following aspects were considered to develop the investigation: a) the technique to prepare the modified zeolitic materials, either with ionic silver or silver nanoparticles, which were obtained in two ways: one, with grapefruit extract and the second, by using non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates; b) the response of the prokaryotes (bacteria) and eukaryote (yeast) microorganisms to disinfectant agents in batch systems; c) the disinfection processes as a function of time to obtain kinetics parameters; and d) the kinetics of the silver release from the silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs, considering the models of Higuchi and Korsmeyer. The zeolitic materials were characterized by low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).The non-thermal plasma reduced ionic silver is more efficient at generating silver compounds with several oxidation states, which are essential during the microbial inhibition process. For the bacterial (E. coli and S. faecalis), the materials with nanoparticles were efficient to inactivate them. However, the yeast (C. albicans) reaches the total inactivation when the zeolitic material contains ionic silver in the crystalline network.The E. coli, S. faecalis and C. albicans survival behavior suspended in aqueous solutions after contact with Ag-modified natural zeolites depends on the chemical speciation of the silver present in these materials, Ag+1 in the case of OAgiZ or nanoparticles of Ago promoted by the grapefruit extract (OAgnpTZ), as well as by non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates (OAgnpPZ). In general, the concentration of silver in the aqueous solution after the disinfection process cannot exceed the recommended levels established for international organizations. The OAgnpPZ is a potential microbicide agent against E. coli and C. albicans, and the OAgnpTZ for F. faecalis.Graphical abstractARTWORK.ARTWORK.In developing countries, death due to diseases caused by fecal-oral ingestion can be avoided by taking action on drinking water issues. Adequate access to water treatment systems to reduce infections is a critical cause. Silver has been used as an antibacterial product, including biomedical applications. Therefore, in this paper, the effect of the chemical speciation of silver from silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs on the mortality of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Streptococcus faecalis (S. faecalis) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) suspended in aqueous solution was investigated for disinfection purposes.The following aspects were considered to develop the investigation: a) the technique to prepare the modified zeolitic materials, either with ionic silver or silver nanoparticles, which were obtained in two ways: one, with grapefruit extract and the second, by using non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates; b) the response of the prokaryotes (bacteria) and eukaryote (yeast) microorganisms to disinfectant agents in batch systems; c) the disinfection processes as a function of time to obtain kinetics parameters; and d) the kinetics of the silver release from the silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs, considering the models of Higuchi and Korsmeyer. The zeolitic materials were characterized by low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).The non-thermal plasma reduced ionic silver is more efficient at generating silver compounds with several oxidation states, which are essential during the microbial inhibition process. For the bacterial (E. coli and S. faecalis), the materials with nanoparticles were efficient to inactivate them. However, the yeast (C. albicans) reaches the total inactivation when the zeolitic material contains ionic silver in the crystalline network.The E. coli, S. faecalis and C. albicans survival behavior suspended in aqueous solutions after contact with Ag-modified natural zeolites depends on the chemical speciation of the silver present in these materials, Ag+1 in the case of OAgiZ or nanoparticles of Ago promoted by the grapefruit extract (OAgnpTZ), as well as by non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates (OAgnpPZ). In general, the concentration of silver in the aqueous solution after the disinfection process cannot exceed the recommended levels established for international organizations. The OAgnpPZ is a potential microbicide agent against E. coli and C. albicans, and the OAgnpTZ for F. faecalis.Graphical abstractARTWORK.ARTWORK.In developing countries, death due to diseases caused by fecal-oral ingestion can be avoided by taking action on drinking water issues. Adequate access to water treatment systems to reduce infections is a critical cause. Silver has been used as an antibacterial product, including biomedical applications. Therefore, in this paper, the effect of the chemical speciation of silver from silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs on the mortality of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Streptococcus faecalis (S. faecalis) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) suspended in aqueous solution was investigated for disinfection purposes.The following aspects were considered to develop the investigation: a) the technique to prepare the modified zeolitic materials, either with ionic silver or silver nanoparticles, which were obtained in two ways: one, with grapefruit extract and the second, by using non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates; b) the response of the prokaryotes (bacteria) and eukaryote (yeast) microorganisms to disinfectant agents in batch systems; c) the disinfection processes as a function of time to obtain kinetics parameters; and d) the kinetics of the silver release from the silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs, considering the models of Higuchi and Korsmeyer. The zeolitic materials were characterized by low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).The non-thermal plasma reduced ionic silver is more efficient at generating silver compounds with several oxidation states, which are essential during the microbial inhibition process. For the bacterial (E. coli and S. faecalis), the materials with nanoparticles were efficient to inactivate them. However, the yeast (C. albicans) reaches the total inactivation when the zeolitic material contains ionic silver in the crystalline network.The E. coli, S. faecalis and C. albicans survival behavior suspended in aqueous solutions after contact with Ag-modified natural zeolites depends on the chemical speciation of the silver present in these materials, Ag+1 in the case of OAgiZ or nanoparticles of Ago promoted by the grapefruit extract (OAgnpTZ), as well as by non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates (OAgnpPZ). In general, the concentration of silver in the aqueous solution after the disinfection process cannot exceed the recommended levels established for international organizations. The OAgnpPZ is a potential microbicide agent against E. coli and C. albicans, and the OAgnpTZ for F. faecalis.Graphical abstractARTWORK.ARTWORK.In developing countries, death due to diseases caused by fecal-oral ingestion can be avoided by taking action on drinking water issues. Adequate access to water treatment systems to reduce infections is a critical cause. Silver has been used as an antibacterial product, including biomedical applications. Therefore, in this paper, the effect of the chemical speciation of silver from silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs on the mortality of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Streptococcus faecalis (S. faecalis) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) suspended in aqueous solution was investigated for disinfection purposes.The following aspects were considered to develop the investigation: a) the technique to prepare the modified zeolitic materials, either with ionic silver or silver nanoparticles, which were obtained in two ways: one, with grapefruit extract and the second, by using non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates; b) the response of the prokaryotes (bacteria) and eukaryote (yeast) microorganisms to disinfectant agents in batch systems; c) the disinfection processes as a function of time to obtain kinetics parameters; and d) the kinetics of the silver release from the silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs, considering the models of Higuchi and Korsmeyer. The zeolitic materials were characterized by low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).The non-thermal plasma reduced ionic silver is more efficient at generating silver compounds with several oxidation states, which are essential during the microbial inhibition process. For the bacterial (E. coli and S. faecalis), the materials with nanoparticles were efficient to inactivate them. However, the yeast (C. albicans) reaches the total inactivation when the zeolitic material contains ionic silver in the crystalline network.The E. coli, S. faecalis and C. albicans survival behavior suspended in aqueous solutions after contact with Ag-modified natural zeolites depends on the chemical speciation of the silver present in these materials, Ag+1 in the case of OAgiZ or nanoparticles of Ago promoted by the grapefruit extract (OAgnpTZ), as well as by non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates (OAgnpPZ). In general, the concentration of silver in the aqueous solution after the disinfection process cannot exceed the recommended levels established for international organizations. The OAgnpPZ is a potential microbicide agent against E. coli and C. albicans, and the OAgnpTZ for F. faecalis.Graphical abstractARTWORK.ARTWORK.In developing countries, death due to diseases caused by fecal-oral ingestion can be avoided by taking action on drinking water issues. Adequate access to water treatment systems to reduce infections is a critical cause. Silver has been used as an antibacterial product, including biomedical applications. Therefore, in this paper, the effect of the chemical speciation of silver from silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs on the mortality of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Streptococcus faecalis (S. faecalis) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) suspended in aqueous solution was investigated for disinfection purposes.The following aspects were considered to develop the investigation: a) the technique to prepare the modified zeolitic materials, either with ionic silver or silver nanoparticles, which were obtained in two ways: one, with grapefruit extract and the second, by using non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates; b) the response of the prokaryotes (bacteria) and eukaryote (yeast) microorganisms to disinfectant agents in batch systems; c) the disinfection processes as a function of time to obtain kinetics parameters; and d) the kinetics of the silver release from the silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs, considering the models of Higuchi and Korsmeyer. The zeolitic materials were characterized by low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).The non-thermal plasma reduced ionic silver is more efficient at generating silver compounds with several oxidation states, which are essential during the microbial inhibition process. For the bacterial (E. coli and S. faecalis), the materials with nanoparticles were efficient to inactivate them. However, the yeast (C. albicans) reaches the total inactivation when the zeolitic material contains ionic silver in the crystalline network.The E. coli, S. faecalis and C. albicans survival behavior suspended in aqueous solutions after contact with Ag-modified natural zeolites depends on the chemical speciation of the silver present in these materials, Ag+1 in the case of OAgiZ or nanoparticles of Ago promoted by the grapefruit extract (OAgnpTZ), as well as by non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates (OAgnpPZ). In general, the concentration of silver in the aqueous solution after the disinfection process cannot exceed the recommended levels established for international organizations. The OAgnpPZ is a potential microbicide agent against E. coli and C. albicans, and the OAgnpTZ for F. faecalis.Graphical abstractARTWORK.ARTWORK.In developing countries, death due to diseases caused by fecal-oral ingestion can be avoided by taking action on drinking water issues. Adequate access to water treatment systems to reduce infections is a critical cause. Silver has been used as an antibacterial product, including biomedical applications. Therefore, in this paper, the effect of the chemical speciation of silver from silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs on the mortality of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Streptococcus faecalis (S. faecalis) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) suspended in aqueous solution was investigated for disinfection purposes.The following aspects were considered to develop the investigation: a) the technique to prepare the modified zeolitic materials, either with ionic silver or silver nanoparticles, which were obtained in two ways: one, with grapefruit extract and the second, by using non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates; b) the response of the prokaryotes (bacteria) and eukaryote (yeast) microorganisms to disinfectant agents in batch systems; c) the disinfection processes as a function of time to obtain kinetics parameters; and d) the kinetics of the silver release from the silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs, considering the models of Higuchi and Korsmeyer. The zeolitic materials were characterized by low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).The non-thermal plasma reduced ionic silver is more efficient at generating silver compounds with several oxidation states, which are essential during the microbial inhibition process. For the bacterial (E. coli and S. faecalis), the materials with nanoparticles were efficient to inactivate them. However, the yeast (C. albicans) reaches the total inactivation when the zeolitic material contains ionic silver in the crystalline network.The E. coli, S. faecalis and C. albicans survival behavior suspended in aqueous solutions after contact with Ag-modified natural zeolites depends on the chemical speciation of the silver present in these materials, Ag+1 in the case of OAgiZ or nanoparticles of Ago promoted by the grapefruit extract (OAgnpTZ), as well as by non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates (OAgnpPZ). In general, the concentration of silver in the aqueous solution after the disinfection process cannot exceed the recommended levels established for international organizations. The OAgnpPZ is a potential microbicide agent against E. coli and C. albicans, and the OAgnpTZ for F. faecalis.Graphical abstractARTWORK.ARTWORK.In developing countries, death due to diseases caused by fecal-oral ingestion can be avoided by taking action on drinking water issues. Adequate access to water treatment systems to reduce infections is a critical cause. Silver has been used as an antibacterial product, including biomedical applications. Therefore, in this paper, the effect of the chemical speciation of silver from silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs on the mortality of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Streptococcus faecalis (S. faecalis) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) suspended in aqueous solution was investigated for disinfection purposes.The following aspects were considered to develop the investigation: a) the technique to prepare the modified zeolitic materials, either with ionic silver or silver nanoparticles, which were obtained in two ways: one, with grapefruit extract and the second, by using non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates; b) the response of the prokaryotes (bacteria) and eukaryote (yeast) microorganisms to disinfectant agents in batch systems; c) the disinfection processes as a function of time to obtain kinetics parameters; and d) the kinetics of the silver release from the silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs, considering the models of Higuchi and Korsmeyer. The zeolitic materials were characterized by low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).The non-thermal plasma reduced ionic silver is more efficient at generating silver compounds with several oxidation states, which are essential during the microbial inhibition process. For the bacterial (E. coli and S. faecalis), the materials with nanoparticles were efficient to inactivate them. However, the yeast (C. albicans) reaches the total inactivation when the zeolitic material contains ionic silver in the crystalline network.The E. coli, S. faecalis and C. albicans survival behavior suspended in aqueous solutions after contact with Ag-modified natural zeolites depends on the chemical speciation of the silver present in these materials, Ag+1 in the case of OAgiZ or nanoparticles of Ago promoted by the grapefruit extract (OAgnpTZ), as well as by non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates (OAgnpPZ). In general, the concentration of silver in the aqueous solution after the disinfection process cannot exceed the recommended levels established for international organizations. The OAgnpPZ is a potential microbicide agent against E. coli and C. albicans, and the OAgnpTZ for F. faecalis.Graphical abstractARTWORK.ARTWORK.In developing countries, death due to diseases caused by fecal-oral ingestion can be avoided by taking action on drinking water issues. Adequate access to water treatment systems to reduce infections is a critical cause. Silver has been used as an antibacterial product, including biomedical applications. Therefore, in this paper, the effect of the chemical speciation of silver from silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs on the mortality of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Streptococcus faecalis (S. faecalis) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) suspended in aqueous solution was investigated for disinfection purposes.The following aspects were considered to develop the investigation: a) the technique to prepare the modified zeolitic materials, either with ionic silver or silver nanoparticles, which were obtained in two ways: one, with grapefruit extract and the second, by using non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates; b) the response of the prokaryotes (bacteria) and eukaryote (yeast) microorganisms to disinfectant agents in batch systems; c) the disinfection processes as a function of time to obtain kinetics parameters; and d) the kinetics of the silver release from the silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs, considering the models of Higuchi and Korsmeyer. The zeolitic materials were characterized by low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).The non-thermal plasma reduced ionic silver is more efficient at generating silver compounds with several oxidation states, which are essential during the microbial inhibition process. For the bacterial (E. coli and S. faecalis), the materials with nanoparticles were efficient to inactivate them. However, the yeast (C. albicans) reaches the total inactivation when the zeolitic material contains ionic silver in the crystalline network.The E. coli, S. faecalis and C. albicans survival behavior suspended in aqueous solutions after contact with Ag-modified natural zeolites depends on the chemical speciation of the silver present in these materials, Ag+1 in the case of OAgiZ or nanoparticles of Ago promoted by the grapefruit extract (OAgnpTZ), as well as by non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates (OAgnpPZ). In general, the concentration of silver in the aqueous solution after the disinfection process cannot exceed the recommended levels established for international organizations. The OAgnpPZ is a potential microbicide agent against E. coli and C. albicans, and the OAgnpTZ for F. faecalis.Graphical abstractARTWORK.ARTWORK.In developing countries, death due to diseases caused by fecal-oral ingestion can be avoided by taking action on drinking water issues. Adequate access to water treatment systems to reduce infections is a critical cause. Silver has been used as an antibacterial product, including biomedical applications. Therefore, in this paper, the effect of the chemical speciation of silver from silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs on the mortality of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Streptococcus faecalis (S. faecalis) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) suspended in aqueous solution was investigated for disinfection purposes.The following aspects were considered to develop the investigation: a) the technique to prepare the modified zeolitic materials, either with ionic silver or silver nanoparticles, which were obtained in two ways: one, with grapefruit extract and the second, by using non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates; b) the response of the prokaryotes (bacteria) and eukaryote (yeast) microorganisms to disinfectant agents in batch systems; c) the disinfection processes as a function of time to obtain kinetics parameters; and d) the kinetics of the silver release from the silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs, considering the models of Higuchi and Korsmeyer. The zeolitic materials were characterized by low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).The non-thermal plasma reduced ionic silver is more efficient at generating silver compounds with several oxidation states, which are essential during the microbial inhibition process. For the bacterial (E. coli and S. faecalis), the materials with nanoparticles were efficient to inactivate them. However, the yeast (C. albicans) reaches the total inactivation when the zeolitic material contains ionic silver in the crystalline network.The E. coli, S. faecalis and C. albicans survival behavior suspended in aqueous solutions after contact with Ag-modified natural zeolites depends on the chemical speciation of the silver present in these materials, Ag+1 in the case of OAgiZ or nanoparticles of Ago promoted by the grapefruit extract (OAgnpTZ), as well as by non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates (OAgnpPZ). In general, the concentration of silver in the aqueous solution after the disinfection process cannot exceed the recommended levels established for international organizations. The OAgnpPZ is a potential microbicide agent against E. coli and C. albicans, and the OAgnpTZ for F. faecalis.Graphical abstractARTWORK.ARTWORK.In developing countries, death due to diseases caused by fecal-oral ingestion can be avoided by taking action on drinking water issues. Adequate access to water treatment systems to reduce infections is a critical cause. Silver has been used as an antibacterial product, including biomedical applications. Therefore, in this paper, the effect of the chemical speciation of silver from silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs on the mortality of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Streptococcus faecalis (S. faecalis) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) suspended in aqueous solution was investigated for disinfection purposes.The following aspects were considered to develop the investigation: a) the technique to prepare the modified zeolitic materials, either with ionic silver or silver nanoparticles, which were obtained in two ways: one, with grapefruit extract and the second, by using non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates; b) the response of the prokaryotes (bacteria) and eukaryote (yeast) microorganisms to disinfectant agents in batch systems; c) the disinfection processes as a function of time to obtain kinetics parameters; and d) the kinetics of the silver release from the silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs, considering the models of Higuchi and Korsmeyer. The zeolitic materials were characterized by low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).The non-thermal plasma reduced ionic silver is more efficient at generating silver compounds with several oxidation states, which are essential during the microbial inhibition process. For the bacterial (E. coli and S. faecalis), the materials with nanoparticles were efficient to inactivate them. However, the yeast (C. albicans) reaches the total inactivation when the zeolitic material contains ionic silver in the crystalline network.The E. coli, S. faecalis and C. albicans survival behavior suspended in aqueous solutions after contact with Ag-modified natural zeolites depends on the chemical speciation of the silver present in these materials, Ag+1 in the case of OAgiZ or nanoparticles of Ago promoted by the grapefruit extract (OAgnpTZ), as well as by non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates (OAgnpPZ). In general, the concentration of silver in the aqueous solution after the disinfection process cannot exceed the recommended levels established for international organizations. The OAgnpPZ is a potential microbicide agent against E. coli and C. albicans, and the OAgnpTZ for F. faecalis.Graphical abstractARTWORK.ARTWORK.In developing countries, death due to diseases caused by fecal-oral ingestion can be avoided by taking action on drinking water issues. Adequate access to water treatment systems to reduce infections is a critical cause. Silver has been used as an antibacterial product, including biomedical applications. Therefore, in this paper, the effect of the chemical speciation of silver from silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs on the mortality of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Streptococcus faecalis (S. faecalis) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) suspended in aqueous solution was investigated for disinfection purposes.The following aspects were considered to develop the investigation: a) the technique to prepare the modified zeolitic materials, either with ionic silver or silver nanoparticles, which were obtained in two ways: one, with grapefruit extract and the second, by using non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates; b) the response of the prokaryotes (bacteria) and eukaryote (yeast) microorganisms to disinfectant agents in batch systems; c) the disinfection processes as a function of time to obtain kinetics parameters; and d) the kinetics of the silver release from the silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs, considering the models of Higuchi and Korsmeyer. The zeolitic materials were characterized by low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).The non-thermal plasma reduced ionic silver is more efficient at generating silver compounds with several oxidation states, which are essential during the microbial inhibition process. For the bacterial (E. coli and S. faecalis), the materials with nanoparticles were efficient to inactivate them. However, the yeast (C. albicans) reaches the total inactivation when the zeolitic material contains ionic silver in the crystalline network.The E. coli, S. faecalis and C. albicans survival behavior suspended in aqueous solutions after contact with Ag-modified natural zeolites depends on the chemical speciation of the silver present in these materials, Ag+1 in the case of OAgiZ or nanoparticles of Ago promoted by the grapefruit extract (OAgnpTZ), as well as by non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates (OAgnpPZ). In general, the concentration of silver in the aqueous solution after the disinfection process cannot exceed the recommended levels established for international organizations. The OAgnpPZ is a potential microbicide agent against E. coli and C. albicans, and the OAgnpTZ for F. faecalis.Graphical abstractARTWORK.ARTWORK.In developing countries, death due to diseases caused by fecal-oral ingestion can be avoided by taking action on drinking water issues. Adequate access to water treatment systems to reduce infections is a critical cause. Silver has been used as an antibacterial product, including biomedical applications. Therefore, in this paper, the effect of the chemical speciation of silver from silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs on the mortality of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Streptococcus faecalis (S. faecalis) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) suspended in aqueous solution was investigated for disinfection purposes.The following aspects were considered to develop the investigation: a) the technique to prepare the modified zeolitic materials, either with ionic silver or silver nanoparticles, which were obtained in two ways: one, with grapefruit extract and the second, by using non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates; b) the response of the prokaryotes (bacteria) and eukaryote (yeast) microorganisms to disinfectant agents in batch systems; c) the disinfection processes as a function of time to obtain kinetics parameters; and d) the kinetics of the silver release from the silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs, considering the models of Higuchi and Korsmeyer. The zeolitic materials were characterized by low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).The non-thermal plasma reduced ionic silver is more efficient at generating silver compounds with several oxidation states, which are essential during the microbial inhibition process. For the bacterial (E. coli and S. faecalis), the materials with nanoparticles were efficient to inactivate them. However, the yeast (C. albicans) reaches the total inactivation when the zeolitic material contains ionic silver in the crystalline network.The E. coli, S. faecalis and C. albicans survival behavior suspended in aqueous solutions after contact with Ag-modified natural zeolites depends on the chemical speciation of the silver present in these materials, Ag+1 in the case of OAgiZ or nanoparticles of Ago promoted by the grapefruit extract (OAgnpTZ), as well as by non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates (OAgnpPZ). In general, the concentration of silver in the aqueous solution after the disinfection process cannot exceed the recommended levels established for international organizations. The OAgnpPZ is a potential microbicide agent against E. coli and C. albicans, and the OAgnpTZ for F. faecalis.Graphical abstractARTWORK.ARTWORK.In developing countries, death due to diseases caused by fecal-oral ingestion can be avoided by taking action on drinking water issues. Adequate access to water treatment systems to reduce infections is a critical cause. Silver has been used as an antibacterial product, including biomedical applications. Therefore, in this paper, the effect of the chemical speciation of silver from silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs on the mortality of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Streptococcus faecalis (S. faecalis) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) suspended in aqueous solution was investigated for disinfection purposes.The following aspects were considered to develop the investigation: a) the technique to prepare the modified zeolitic materials, either with ionic silver or silver nanoparticles, which were obtained in two ways: one, with grapefruit extract and the second, by using non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates; b) the response of the prokaryotes (bacteria) and eukaryote (yeast) microorganisms to disinfectant agents in batch systems; c) the disinfection processes as a function of time to obtain kinetics parameters; and d) the kinetics of the silver release from the silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs, considering the models of Higuchi and Korsmeyer. The zeolitic materials were characterized by low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).The non-thermal plasma reduced ionic silver is more efficient at generating silver compounds with several oxidation states, which are essential during the microbial inhibition process. For the bacterial (E. coli and S. faecalis), the materials with nanoparticles were efficient to inactivate them. However, the yeast (C. albicans) reaches the total inactivation when the zeolitic material contains ionic silver in the crystalline network.The E. coli, S. faecalis and C. albicans survival behavior suspended in aqueous solutions after contact with Ag-modified natural zeolites depends on the chemical speciation of the silver present in these materials, Ag+1 in the case of OAgiZ or nanoparticles of Ago promoted by the grapefruit extract (OAgnpTZ), as well as by non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates (OAgnpPZ). In general, the concentration of silver in the aqueous solution after the disinfection process cannot exceed the recommended levels established for international organizations. The OAgnpPZ is a potential microbicide agent against E. coli and C. albicans, and the OAgnpTZ for F. faecalis.Graphical abstractARTWORK.ARTWORK.In developing countries, death due to diseases caused by fecal-oral ingestion can be avoided by taking action on drinking water issues. Adequate access to water treatment systems to reduce infections is a critical cause. Silver has been used as an antibacterial product, including biomedical applications. Therefore, in this paper, the effect of the chemical speciation of silver from silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs on the mortality of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Streptococcus faecalis (S. faecalis) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) suspended in aqueous solution was investigated for disinfection purposes.The following aspects were considered to develop the investigation: a) the technique to prepare the modified zeolitic materials, either with ionic silver or silver nanoparticles, which were obtained in two ways: one, with grapefruit extract and the second, by using non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates; b) the response of the prokaryotes (bacteria) and eukaryote (yeast) microorganisms to disinfectant agents in batch systems; c) the disinfection processes as a function of time to obtain kinetics parameters; and d) the kinetics of the silver release from the silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs, considering the models of Higuchi and Korsmeyer. The zeolitic materials were characterized by low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).The non-thermal plasma reduced ionic silver is more efficient at generating silver compounds with several oxidation states, which are essential during the microbial inhibition process. For the bacterial (E. coli and S. faecalis), the materials with nanoparticles were efficient to inactivate them. However, the yeast (C. albicans) reaches the total inactivation when the zeolitic material contains ionic silver in the crystalline network.The E. coli, S. faecalis and C. albicans survival behavior suspended in aqueous solutions after contact with Ag-modified natural zeolites depends on the chemical speciation of the silver present in these materials, Ag+1 in the case of OAgiZ or nanoparticles of Ago promoted by the grapefruit extract (OAgnpTZ), as well as by non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates (OAgnpPZ). In general, the concentration of silver in the aqueous solution after the disinfection process cannot exceed the recommended levels established for international organizations. The OAgnpPZ is a potential microbicide agent against E. coli and C. albicans, and the OAgnpTZ for F. faecalis.Graphical abstractARTWORK.ARTWORK.In developing countries, death due to diseases caused by fecal-oral ingestion can be avoided by taking action on drinking water issues. Adequate access to water treatment systems to reduce infections is a critical cause. Silver has been used as an antibacterial product, including biomedical applications. Therefore, in this paper, the effect of the chemical speciation of silver from silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs on the mortality of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Streptococcus faecalis (S. faecalis) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) suspended in aqueous solution was investigated for disinfection purposes.The following aspects were considered to develop the investigation: a) the technique to prepare the modified zeolitic materials, either with ionic silver or silver nanoparticles, which were obtained in two ways: one, with grapefruit extract and the second, by using non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates; b) the response of the prokaryotes (bacteria) and eukaryote (yeast) microorganisms to disinfectant agents in batch systems; c) the disinfection processes as a function of time to obtain kinetics parameters; and d) the kinetics of the silver release from the silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs, considering the models of Higuchi and Korsmeyer. The zeolitic materials were characterized by low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).The non-thermal plasma reduced ionic silver is more efficient at generating silver compounds with several oxidation states, which are essential during the microbial inhibition process. For the bacterial (E. coli and S. faecalis), the materials with nanoparticles were efficient to inactivate them. However, the yeast (C. albicans) reaches the total inactivation when the zeolitic material contains ionic silver in the crystalline network.The E. coli, S. faecalis and C. albicans survival behavior suspended in aqueous solutions after contact with Ag-modified natural zeolites depends on the chemical speciation of the silver present in these materials, Ag+1 in the case of OAgiZ or nanoparticles of Ago promoted by the grapefruit extract (OAgnpTZ), as well as by non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates (OAgnpPZ). In general, the concentration of silver in the aqueous solution after the disinfection process cannot exceed the recommended levels established for international organizations. The OAgnpPZ is a potential microbicide agent against E. coli and C. albicans, and the OAgnpTZ for F. faecalis.Graphical abstractARTWORK.ARTWORK.In developing countries, death due to diseases caused by fecal-oral ingestion can be avoided by taking action on drinking water issues. Adequate access to water treatment systems to reduce infections is a critical cause. Silver has been used as an antibacterial product, including biomedical applications. Therefore, in this paper, the effect of the chemical speciation of silver from silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs on the mortality of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Streptococcus faecalis (S. faecalis) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) suspended in aqueous solution was investigated for disinfection purposes.The following aspects were considered to develop the investigation: a) the technique to prepare the modified zeolitic materials, either with ionic silver or silver nanoparticles, which were obtained in two ways: one, with grapefruit extract and the second, by using non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates; b) the response of the prokaryotes (bacteria) and eukaryote (yeast) microorganisms to disinfectant agents in batch systems; c) the disinfection processes as a function of time to obtain kinetics parameters; and d) the kinetics of the silver release from the silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs, considering the models of Higuchi and Korsmeyer. The zeolitic materials were characterized by low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).The non-thermal plasma reduced ionic silver is more efficient at generating silver compounds with several oxidation states, which are essential during the microbial inhibition process. For the bacterial (E. coli and S. faecalis), the materials with nanoparticles were efficient to inactivate them. However, the yeast (C. albicans) reaches the total inactivation when the zeolitic material contains ionic silver in the crystalline network.The E. coli, S. faecalis and C. albicans survival behavior suspended in aqueous solutions after contact with Ag-modified natural zeolites depends on the chemical speciation of the silver present in these materials, Ag+1 in the case of OAgiZ or nanoparticles of Ago promoted by the grapefruit extract (OAgnpTZ), as well as by non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates (OAgnpPZ). In general, the concentration of silver in the aqueous solution after the disinfection process cannot exceed the recommended levels established for international organizations. The OAgnpPZ is a potential microbicide agent against E. coli and C. albicans, and the OAgnpTZ for F. faecalis.Graphical abstractARTWORK.ARTWORK.In developing countries, death due to diseases caused by fecal-oral ingestion can be avoided by taking action on drinking water issues. Adequate access to water treatment systems to reduce infections is a critical cause. Silver has been used as an antibacterial product, including biomedical applications. Therefore, in this paper, the effect of the chemical speciation of silver from silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs on the mortality of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Streptococcus faecalis (S. faecalis) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) suspended in aqueous solution was investigated for disinfection purposes.The following aspects were considered to develop the investigation: a) the technique to prepare the modified zeolitic materials, either with ionic silver or silver nanoparticles, which were obtained in two ways: one, with grapefruit extract and the second, by using non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates; b) the response of the prokaryotes (bacteria) and eukaryote (yeast) microorganisms to disinfectant agents in batch systems; c) the disinfection processes as a function of time to obtain kinetics parameters; and d) the kinetics of the silver release from the silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs, considering the models of Higuchi and Korsmeyer. The zeolitic materials were characterized by low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).The non-thermal plasma reduced ionic silver is more efficient at generating silver compounds with several oxidation states, which are essential during the microbial inhibition process. For the bacterial (E. coli and S. faecalis), the materials with nanoparticles were efficient to inactivate them. However, the yeast (C. albicans) reaches the total inactivation when the zeolitic material contains ionic silver in the crystalline network.The E. coli, S. faecalis and C. albicans survival behavior suspended in aqueous solutions after contact with Ag-modified natural zeolites depends on the chemical speciation of the silver present in these materials, Ag+1 in the case of OAgiZ or nanoparticles of Ago promoted by the grapefruit extract (OAgnpTZ), as well as by non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates (OAgnpPZ). In general, the concentration of silver in the aqueous solution after the disinfection process cannot exceed the recommended levels established for international organizations. The OAgnpPZ is a potential microbicide agent against E. coli and C. albicans, and the OAgnpTZ for F. faecalis.Graphical abstractARTWORK.ARTWORK.In developing countries, death due to diseases caused by fecal-oral ingestion can be avoided by taking action on drinking water issues. Adequate access to water treatment systems to reduce infections is a critical cause. Silver has been used as an antibacterial product, including biomedical applications. Therefore, in this paper, the effect of the chemical speciation of silver from silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs on the mortality of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Streptococcus faecalis (S. faecalis) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) suspended in aqueous solution was investigated for disinfection purposes.The following aspects were considered to develop the investigation: a) the technique to prepare the modified zeolitic materials, either with ionic silver or silver nanoparticles, which were obtained in two ways: one, with grapefruit extract and the second, by using non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates; b) the response of the prokaryotes (bacteria) and eukaryote (yeast) microorganisms to disinfectant agents in batch systems; c) the disinfection processes as a function of time to obtain kinetics parameters; and d) the kinetics of the silver release from the silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs, considering the models of Higuchi and Korsmeyer. The zeolitic materials were characterized by low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).The non-thermal plasma reduced ionic silver is more efficient at generating silver compounds with several oxidation states, which are essential during the microbial inhibition process. For the bacterial (E. coli and S. faecalis), the materials with nanoparticles were efficient to inactivate them. However, the yeast (C. albicans) reaches the total inactivation when the zeolitic material contains ionic silver in the crystalline network.The E. coli, S. faecalis and C. albicans survival behavior suspended in aqueous solutions after contact with Ag-modified natural zeolites depends on the chemical speciation of the silver present in these materials, Ag+1 in the case of OAgiZ or nanoparticles of Ago promoted by the grapefruit extract (OAgnpTZ), as well as by non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates (OAgnpPZ). In general, the concentration of silver in the aqueous solution after the disinfection process cannot exceed the recommended levels established for international organizations. The OAgnpPZ is a potential microbicide agent against E. coli and C. albicans, and the OAgnpTZ for F. faecalis.Graphical abstractARTWORK.ARTWORK.In developing countries, death due to diseases caused by fecal-oral ingestion can be avoided by taking action on drinking water issues. Adequate access to water treatment systems to reduce infections is a critical cause. Silver has been used as an antibacterial product, including biomedical applications. Therefore, in this paper, the effect of the chemical speciation of silver from silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs on the mortality of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Streptococcus faecalis (S. faecalis) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) suspended in aqueous solution was investigated for disinfection purposes.The following aspects were considered to develop the investigation: a) the technique to prepare the modified zeolitic materials, either with ionic silver or silver nanoparticles, which were obtained in two ways: one, with grapefruit extract and the second, by using non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates; b) the response of the prokaryotes (bacteria) and eukaryote (yeast) microorganisms to disinfectant agents in batch systems; c) the disinfection processes as a function of time to obtain kinetics parameters; and d) the kinetics of the silver release from the silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs, considering the models of Higuchi and Korsmeyer. The zeolitic materials were characterized by low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).The non-thermal plasma reduced ionic silver is more efficient at generating silver compounds with several oxidation states, which are essential during the microbial inhibition process. For the bacterial (E. coli and S. faecalis), the materials with nanoparticles were efficient to inactivate them. However, the yeast (C. albicans) reaches the total inactivation when the zeolitic material contains ionic silver in the crystalline network.The E. coli, S. faecalis and C. albicans survival behavior suspended in aqueous solutions after contact with Ag-modified natural zeolites depends on the chemical speciation of the silver present in these materials, Ag+1 in the case of OAgiZ or nanoparticles of Ago promoted by the grapefruit extract (OAgnpTZ), as well as by non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates (OAgnpPZ). In general, the concentration of silver in the aqueous solution after the disinfection process cannot exceed the recommended levels established for international organizations. The OAgnpPZ is a potential microbicide agent against E. coli and C. albicans, and the OAgnpTZ for F. faecalis.Graphical abstractARTWORK.ARTWORK.In developing countries, death due to diseases caused by fecal-oral ingestion can be avoided by taking action on drinking water issues. Adequate access to water treatment systems to reduce infections is a critical cause. Silver has been used as an antibacterial product, including biomedical applications. Therefore, in this paper, the effect of the chemical speciation of silver from silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs on the mortality of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Streptococcus faecalis (S. faecalis) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) suspended in aqueous solution was investigated for disinfection purposes.The following aspects were considered to develop the investigation: a) the technique to prepare the modified zeolitic materials, either with ionic silver or silver nanoparticles, which were obtained in two ways: one, with grapefruit extract and the second, by using non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates; b) the response of the prokaryotes (bacteria) and eukaryote (yeast) microorganisms to disinfectant agents in batch systems; c) the disinfection processes as a function of time to obtain kinetics parameters; and d) the kinetics of the silver release from the silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs, considering the models of Higuchi and Korsmeyer. The zeolitic materials were characterized by low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).The non-thermal plasma reduced ionic silver is more efficient at generating silver compounds with several oxidation states, which are essential during the microbial inhibition process. For the bacterial (E. coli and S. faecalis), the materials with nanoparticles were efficient to inactivate them. However, the yeast (C. albicans) reaches the total inactivation when the zeolitic material contains ionic silver in the crystalline network.The E. coli, S. faecalis and C. albicans survival behavior suspended in aqueous solutions after contact with Ag-modified natural zeolites depends on the chemical speciation of the silver present in these materials, Ag+1 in the case of OAgiZ or nanoparticles of Ago promoted by the grapefruit extract (OAgnpTZ), as well as by non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates (OAgnpPZ). In general, the concentration of silver in the aqueous solution after the disinfection process cannot exceed the recommended levels established for international organizations. The OAgnpPZ is a potential microbicide agent against E. coli and C. albicans, and the OAgnpTZ for F. faecalis.Graphical abstractARTWORK.ARTWORK.In developing countries, death due to diseases caused by fecal-oral ingestion can be avoided by taking action on drinking water issues. Adequate access to water treatment systems to reduce infections is a critical cause. Silver has been used as an antibacterial product, including biomedical applications. Therefore, in this paper, the effect of the chemical speciation of silver from silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs on the mortality of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Streptococcus faecalis (S. faecalis) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) suspended in aqueous solution was investigated for disinfection purposes.The following aspects were considered to develop the investigation: a) the technique to prepare the modified zeolitic materials, either with ionic silver or silver nanoparticles, which were obtained in two ways: one, with grapefruit extract and the second, by using non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates; b) the response of the prokaryotes (bacteria) and eukaryote (yeast) microorganisms to disinfectant agents in batch systems; c) the disinfection processes as a function of time to obtain kinetics parameters; and d) the kinetics of the silver release from the silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs, considering the models of Higuchi and Korsmeyer. The zeolitic materials were characterized by low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).The non-thermal plasma reduced ionic silver is more efficient at generating silver compounds with several oxidation states, which are essential during the microbial inhibition process. For the bacterial (E. coli and S. faecalis), the materials with nanoparticles were efficient to inactivate them. However, the yeast (C. albicans) reaches the total inactivation when the zeolitic material contains ionic silver in the crystalline network.The E. coli, S. faecalis and C. albicans survival behavior suspended in aqueous solutions after contact with Ag-modified natural zeolites depends on the chemical speciation of the silver present in these materials, Ag+1 in the case of OAgiZ or nanoparticles of Ago promoted by the grapefruit extract (OAgnpTZ), as well as by non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates (OAgnpPZ). In general, the concentration of silver in the aqueous solution after the disinfection process cannot exceed the recommended levels established for international organizations. The OAgnpPZ is a potential microbicide agent against E. coli and C. albicans, and the OAgnpTZ for F. faecalis.Graphical abstractARTWORK.ARTWORK.In developing countries, death due to diseases caused by fecal-oral ingestion can be avoided by taking action on drinking water issues. Adequate access to water treatment systems to reduce infections is a critical cause. Silver has been used as an antibacterial product, including biomedical applications. Therefore, in this paper, the effect of the chemical speciation of silver from silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs on the mortality of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Streptococcus faecalis (S. faecalis) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) suspended in aqueous solution was investigated for disinfection purposes.The following aspects were considered to develop the investigation: a) the technique to prepare the modified zeolitic materials, either with ionic silver or silver nanoparticles, which were obtained in two ways: one, with grapefruit extract and the second, by using non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates; b) the response of the prokaryotes (bacteria) and eukaryote (yeast) microorganisms to disinfectant agents in batch systems; c) the disinfection processes as a function of time to obtain kinetics parameters; and d) the kinetics of the silver release from the silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs, considering the models of Higuchi and Korsmeyer. The zeolitic materials were characterized by low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).The non-thermal plasma reduced ionic silver is more efficient at generating silver compounds with several oxidation states, which are essential during the microbial inhibition process. For the bacterial (E. coli and S. faecalis), the materials with nanoparticles were efficient to inactivate them. However, the yeast (C. albicans) reaches the total inactivation when the zeolitic material contains ionic silver in the crystalline network.The E. coli, S. faecalis and C. albicans survival behavior suspended in aqueous solutions after contact with Ag-modified natural zeolites depends on the chemical speciation of the silver present in these materials, Ag+1 in the case of OAgiZ or nanoparticles of Ago promoted by the grapefruit extract (OAgnpTZ), as well as by non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates (OAgnpPZ). In general, the concentration of silver in the aqueous solution after the disinfection process cannot exceed the recommended levels established for international organizations. The OAgnpPZ is a potential microbicide agent against E. coli and C. albicans, and the OAgnpTZ for F. faecalis.Graphical abstractARTWORK.ARTWORK.In developing countries, death due to diseases caused by fecal-oral ingestion can be avoided by taking action on drinking water issues. Adequate access to water treatment systems to reduce infections is a critical cause. Silver has been used as an antibacterial product, including biomedical applications. Therefore, in this paper, the effect of the chemical speciation of silver from silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs on the mortality of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Streptococcus faecalis (S. faecalis) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) suspended in aqueous solution was investigated for disinfection purposes.The following aspects were considered to develop the investigation: a) the technique to prepare the modified zeolitic materials, either with ionic silver or silver nanoparticles, which were obtained in two ways: one, with grapefruit extract and the second, by using non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates; b) the response of the prokaryotes (bacteria) and eukaryote (yeast) microorganisms to disinfectant agents in batch systems; c) the disinfection processes as a function of time to obtain kinetics parameters; and d) the kinetics of the silver release from the silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs, considering the models of Higuchi and Korsmeyer. The zeolitic materials were characterized by low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).The non-thermal plasma reduced ionic silver is more efficient at generating silver compounds with several oxidation states, which are essential during the microbial inhibition process. For the bacterial (E. coli and S. faecalis), the materials with nanoparticles were efficient to inactivate them. However, the yeast (C. albicans) reaches the total inactivation when the zeolitic material contains ionic silver in the crystalline network.The E. coli, S. faecalis and C. albicans survival behavior suspended in aqueous solutions after contact with Ag-modified natural zeolites depends on the chemical speciation of the silver present in these materials, Ag+1 in the case of OAgiZ or nanoparticles of Ago promoted by the grapefruit extract (OAgnpTZ), as well as by non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates (OAgnpPZ). In general, the concentration of silver in the aqueous solution after the disinfection process cannot exceed the recommended levels established for international organizations. The OAgnpPZ is a potential microbicide agent against E. coli and C. albicans, and the OAgnpTZ for F. faecalis.Graphical abstractARTWORK.ARTWORK.In developing countries, death due to diseases caused by fecal-oral ingestion can be avoided by taking action on drinking water issues. Adequate access to water treatment systems to reduce infections is a critical cause. Silver has been used as an antibacterial product, including biomedical applications. Therefore, in this paper, the effect of the chemical speciation of silver from silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs on the mortality of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Streptococcus faecalis (S. faecalis) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) suspended in aqueous solution was investigated for disinfection purposes.The following aspects were considered to develop the investigation: a) the technique to prepare the modified zeolitic materials, either with ionic silver or silver nanoparticles, which were obtained in two ways: one, with grapefruit extract and the second, by using non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates; b) the response of the prokaryotes (bacteria) and eukaryote (yeast) microorganisms to disinfectant agents in batch systems; c) the disinfection processes as a function of time to obtain kinetics parameters; and d) the kinetics of the silver release from the silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs, considering the models of Higuchi and Korsmeyer. The zeolitic materials were characterized by low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).The non-thermal plasma reduced ionic silver is more efficient at generating silver compounds with several oxidation states, which are essential during the microbial inhibition process. For the bacterial (E. coli and S. faecalis), the materials with nanoparticles were efficient to inactivate them. However, the yeast (C. albicans) reaches the total inactivation when the zeolitic material contains ionic silver in the crystalline network.The E. coli, S. faecalis and C. albicans survival behavior suspended in aqueous solutions after contact with Ag-modified natural zeolites depends on the chemical speciation of the silver present in these materials, Ag+1 in the case of OAgiZ or nanoparticles of Ago promoted by the grapefruit extract (OAgnpTZ), as well as by non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates (OAgnpPZ). In general, the concentration of silver in the aqueous solution after the disinfection process cannot exceed the recommended levels established for international organizations. The OAgnpPZ is a potential microbicide agent against E. coli and C. albicans, and the OAgnpTZ for F. faecalis.Graphical abstractARTWORK.ARTWORK.In developing countries, death due to diseases caused by fecal-oral ingestion can be avoided by taking action on drinking water issues. Adequate access to water treatment systems to reduce infections is a critical cause. Silver has been used as an antibacterial product, including biomedical applications. Therefore, in this paper, the effect of the chemical speciation of silver from silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs on the mortality of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Streptococcus faecalis (S. faecalis) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) suspended in aqueous solution was investigated for disinfection purposes.The following aspects were considered to develop the investigation: a) the technique to prepare the modified zeolitic materials, either with ionic silver or silver nanoparticles, which were obtained in two ways: one, with grapefruit extract and the second, by using non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates; b) the response of the prokaryotes (bacteria) and eukaryote (yeast) microorganisms to disinfectant agents in batch systems; c) the disinfection processes as a function of time to obtain kinetics parameters; and d) the kinetics of the silver release from the silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs, considering the models of Higuchi and Korsmeyer. The zeolitic materials were characterized by low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).The non-thermal plasma reduced ionic silver is more efficient at generating silver compounds with several oxidation states, which are essential during the microbial inhibition process. For the bacterial (E. coli and S. faecalis), the materials with nanoparticles were efficient to inactivate them. However, the yeast (C. albicans) reaches the total inactivation when the zeolitic material contains ionic silver in the crystalline network.The E. coli, S. faecalis and C. albicans survival behavior suspended in aqueous solutions after contact with Ag-modified natural zeolites depends on the chemical speciation of the silver present in these materials, Ag+1 in the case of OAgiZ or nanoparticles of Ago promoted by the grapefruit extract (OAgnpTZ), as well as by non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates (OAgnpPZ). In general, the concentration of silver in the aqueous solution after the disinfection process cannot exceed the recommended levels established for international organizations. The OAgnpPZ is a potential microbicide agent against E. coli and C. albicans, and the OAgnpTZ for F. faecalis.Graphical abstractARTWORK.ARTWORK.In developing countries, death due to diseases caused by fecal-oral ingestion can be avoided by taking action on drinking water issues. Adequate access to water treatment systems to reduce infections is a critical cause. Silver has been used as an antibacterial product, including biomedical applications. Therefore, in this paper, the effect of the chemical speciation of silver from silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs on the mortality of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Streptococcus faecalis (S. faecalis) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) suspended in aqueous solution was investigated for disinfection purposes.The following aspects were considered to develop the investigation: a) the technique to prepare the modified zeolitic materials, either with ionic silver or silver nanoparticles, which were obtained in two ways: one, with grapefruit extract and the second, by using non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates; b) the response of the prokaryotes (bacteria) and eukaryote (yeast) microorganisms to disinfectant agents in batch systems; c) the disinfection processes as a function of time to obtain kinetics parameters; and d) the kinetics of the silver release from the silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs, considering the models of Higuchi and Korsmeyer. The zeolitic materials were characterized by low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).The non-thermal plasma reduced ionic silver is more efficient at generating silver compounds with several oxidation states, which are essential during the microbial inhibition process. For the bacterial (E. coli and S. faecalis), the materials with nanoparticles were efficient to inactivate them. However, the yeast (C. albicans) reaches the total inactivation when the zeolitic material contains ionic silver in the crystalline network.The E. coli, S. faecalis and C. albicans survival behavior suspended in aqueous solutions after contact with Ag-modified natural zeolites depends on the chemical speciation of the silver present in these materials, Ag+1 in the case of OAgiZ or nanoparticles of Ago promoted by the grapefruit extract (OAgnpTZ), as well as by non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates (OAgnpPZ). In general, the concentration of silver in the aqueous solution after the disinfection process cannot exceed the recommended levels established for international organizations. The OAgnpPZ is a potential microbicide agent against E. coli and C. albicans, and the OAgnpTZ for F. faecalis.Graphical abstractARTWORK.ARTWORK.In developing countries, death due to diseases caused by fecal-oral ingestion can be avoided by taking action on drinking water issues. Adequate access to water treatment systems to reduce infections is a critical cause. Silver has been used as an antibacterial product, including biomedical applications. Therefore, in this paper, the effect of the chemical speciation of silver from silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs on the mortality of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Streptococcus faecalis (S. faecalis) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) suspended in aqueous solution was investigated for disinfection purposes.The following aspects were considered to develop the investigation: a) the technique to prepare the modified zeolitic materials, either with ionic silver or silver nanoparticles, which were obtained in two ways: one, with grapefruit extract and the second, by using non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates; b) the response of the prokaryotes (bacteria) and eukaryote (yeast) microorganisms to disinfectant agents in batch systems; c) the disinfection processes as a function of time to obtain kinetics parameters; and d) the kinetics of the silver release from the silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs, considering the models of Higuchi and Korsmeyer. The zeolitic materials were characterized by low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).The non-thermal plasma reduced ionic silver is more efficient at generating silver compounds with several oxidation states, which are essential during the microbial inhibition process. For the bacterial (E. coli and S. faecalis), the materials with nanoparticles were efficient to inactivate them. However, the yeast (C. albicans) reaches the total inactivation when the zeolitic material contains ionic silver in the crystalline network.The E. coli, S. faecalis and C. albicans survival behavior suspended in aqueous solutions after contact with Ag-modified natural zeolites depends on the chemical speciation of the silver present in these materials, Ag+1 in the case of OAgiZ or nanoparticles of Ago promoted by the grapefruit extract (OAgnpTZ), as well as by non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates (OAgnpPZ). In general, the concentration of silver in the aqueous solution after the disinfection process cannot exceed the recommended levels established for international organizations. The OAgnpPZ is a potential microbicide agent against E. coli and C. albicans, and the OAgnpTZ for F. faecalis.Graphical abstractARTWORK.ARTWORK.In developing countries, death due to diseases caused by fecal-oral ingestion can be avoided by taking action on drinking water issues. Adequate access to water treatment systems to reduce infections is a critical cause. Silver has been used as an antibacterial product, including biomedical applications. Therefore, in this paper, the effect of the chemical speciation of silver from silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs on the mortality of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Streptococcus faecalis (S. faecalis) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) suspended in aqueous solution was investigated for disinfection purposes.The following aspects were considered to develop the investigation: a) the technique to prepare the modified zeolitic materials, either with ionic silver or silver nanoparticles, which were obtained in two ways: one, with grapefruit extract and the second, by using non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates; b) the response of the prokaryotes (bacteria) and eukaryote (yeast) microorganisms to disinfectant agents in batch systems; c) the disinfection processes as a function of time to obtain kinetics parameters; and d) the kinetics of the silver release from the silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs, considering the models of Higuchi and Korsmeyer. The zeolitic materials were characterized by low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).The non-thermal plasma reduced ionic silver is more efficient at generating silver compounds with several oxidation states, which are essential during the microbial inhibition process. For the bacterial (E. coli and S. faecalis), the materials with nanoparticles were efficient to inactivate them. However, the yeast (C. albicans) reaches the total inactivation when the zeolitic material contains ionic silver in the crystalline network.The E. coli, S. faecalis and C. albicans survival behavior suspended in aqueous solutions after contact with Ag-modified natural zeolites depends on the chemical speciation of the silver present in these materials, Ag+1 in the case of OAgiZ or nanoparticles of Ago promoted by the grapefruit extract (OAgnpTZ), as well as by non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates (OAgnpPZ). In general, the concentration of silver in the aqueous solution after the disinfection process cannot exceed the recommended levels established for international organizations. The OAgnpPZ is a potential microbicide agent against E. coli and C. albicans, and the OAgnpTZ for F. faecalis.Graphical abstractARTWORK.ARTWORK.In developing countries, death due to diseases caused by fecal-oral ingestion can be avoided by taking action on drinking water issues. Adequate access to water treatment systems to reduce infections is a critical cause. Silver has been used as an antibacterial product, including biomedical applications. Therefore, in this paper, the effect of the chemical speciation of silver from silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs on the mortality of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Streptococcus faecalis (S. faecalis) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) suspended in aqueous solution was investigated for disinfection purposes.The following aspects were considered to develop the investigation: a) the technique to prepare the modified zeolitic materials, either with ionic silver or silver nanoparticles, which were obtained in two ways: one, with grapefruit extract and the second, by using non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates; b) the response of the prokaryotes (bacteria) and eukaryote (yeast) microorganisms to disinfectant agents in batch systems; c) the disinfection processes as a function of time to obtain kinetics parameters; and d) the kinetics of the silver release from the silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs, considering the models of Higuchi and Korsmeyer. The zeolitic materials were characterized by low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).The non-thermal plasma reduced ionic silver is more efficient at generating silver compounds with several oxidation states, which are essential during the microbial inhibition process. For the bacterial (E. coli and S. faecalis), the materials with nanoparticles were efficient to inactivate them. However, the yeast (C. albicans) reaches the total inactivation when the zeolitic material contains ionic silver in the crystalline network.The E. coli, S. faecalis and C. albicans survival behavior suspended in aqueous solutions after contact with Ag-modified natural zeolites depends on the chemical speciation of the silver present in these materials, Ag+1 in the case of OAgiZ or nanoparticles of Ago promoted by the grapefruit extract (OAgnpTZ), as well as by non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates (OAgnpPZ). In general, the concentration of silver in the aqueous solution after the disinfection process cannot exceed the recommended levels established for international organizations. The OAgnpPZ is a potential microbicide agent against E. coli and C. albicans, and the OAgnpTZ for F. faecalis.Graphical abstractARTWORK.ARTWORK.In developing countries, death due to diseases caused by fecal-oral ingestion can be avoided by taking action on drinking water issues. Adequate access to water treatment systems to reduce infections is a critical cause. Silver has been used as an antibacterial product, including biomedical applications. Therefore, in this paper, the effect of the chemical speciation of silver from silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs on the mortality of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Streptococcus faecalis (S. faecalis) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) suspended in aqueous solution was investigated for disinfection purposes.The following aspects were considered to develop the investigation: a) the technique to prepare the modified zeolitic materials, either with ionic silver or silver nanoparticles, which were obtained in two ways: one, with grapefruit extract and the second, by using non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates; b) the response of the prokaryotes (bacteria) and eukaryote (yeast) microorganisms to disinfectant agents in batch systems; c) the disinfection processes as a function of time to obtain kinetics parameters; and d) the kinetics of the silver release from the silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs, considering the models of Higuchi and Korsmeyer. The zeolitic materials were characterized by low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).The non-thermal plasma reduced ionic silver is more efficient at generating silver compounds with several oxidation states, which are essential during the microbial inhibition process. For the bacterial (E. coli and S. faecalis), the materials with nanoparticles were efficient to inactivate them. However, the yeast (C. albicans) reaches the total inactivation when the zeolitic material contains ionic silver in the crystalline network.The E. coli, S. faecalis and C. albicans survival behavior suspended in aqueous solutions after contact with Ag-modified natural zeolites depends on the chemical speciation of the silver present in these materials, Ag+1 in the case of OAgiZ or nanoparticles of Ago promoted by the grapefruit extract (OAgnpTZ), as well as by non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates (OAgnpPZ). In general, the concentration of silver in the aqueous solution after the disinfection process cannot exceed the recommended levels established for international organizations. The OAgnpPZ is a potential microbicide agent against E. coli and C. albicans, and the OAgnpTZ for F. faecalis.Graphical abstractARTWORK.ARTWORK.In developing countries, death due to diseases caused by fecal-oral ingestion can be avoided by taking action on drinking water issues. Adequate access to water treatment systems to reduce infections is a critical cause. Silver has been used as an antibacterial product, including biomedical applications. Therefore, in this paper, the effect of the chemical speciation of silver from silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs on the mortality of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Streptococcus faecalis (S. faecalis) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) suspended in aqueous solution was investigated for disinfection purposes.The following aspects were considered to develop the investigation: a) the technique to prepare the modified zeolitic materials, either with ionic silver or silver nanoparticles, which were obtained in two ways: one, with grapefruit extract and the second, by using non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates; b) the response of the prokaryotes (bacteria) and eukaryote (yeast) microorganisms to disinfectant agents in batch systems; c) the disinfection processes as a function of time to obtain kinetics parameters; and d) the kinetics of the silver release from the silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs, considering the models of Higuchi and Korsmeyer. The zeolitic materials were characterized by low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).The non-thermal plasma reduced ionic silver is more efficient at generating silver compounds with several oxidation states, which are essential during the microbial inhibition process. For the bacterial (E. coli and S. faecalis), the materials with nanoparticles were efficient to inactivate them. However, the yeast (C. albicans) reaches the total inactivation when the zeolitic material contains ionic silver in the crystalline network.The E. coli, S. faecalis and C. albicans survival behavior suspended in aqueous solutions after contact with Ag-modified natural zeolites depends on the chemical speciation of the silver present in these materials, Ag+1 in the case of OAgiZ or nanoparticles of Ago promoted by the grapefruit extract (OAgnpTZ), as well as by non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates (OAgnpPZ). In general, the concentration of silver in the aqueous solution after the disinfection process cannot exceed the recommended levels established for international organizations. The OAgnpPZ is a potential microbicide agent against E. coli and C. albicans, and the OAgnpTZ for F. faecalis.Graphical abstractARTWORK.ARTWORK.In developing countries, death due to diseases caused by fecal-oral ingestion can be avoided by taking action on drinking water issues. Adequate access to water treatment systems to reduce infections is a critical cause. Silver has been used as an antibacterial product, including biomedical applications. Therefore, in this paper, the effect of the chemical speciation of silver from silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs on the mortality of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Streptococcus faecalis (S. faecalis) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) suspended in aqueous solution was investigated for disinfection purposes.The following aspects were considered to develop the investigation: a) the technique to prepare the modified zeolitic materials, either with ionic silver or silver nanoparticles, which were obtained in two ways: one, with grapefruit extract and the second, by using non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates; b) the response of the prokaryotes (bacteria) and eukaryote (yeast) microorganisms to disinfectant agents in batch systems; c) the disinfection processes as a function of time to obtain kinetics parameters; and d) the kinetics of the silver release from the silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs, considering the models of Higuchi and Korsmeyer. The zeolitic materials were characterized by low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).The non-thermal plasma reduced ionic silver is more efficient at generating silver compounds with several oxidation states, which are essential during the microbial inhibition process. For the bacterial (E. coli and S. faecalis), the materials with nanoparticles were efficient to inactivate them. However, the yeast (C. albicans) reaches the total inactivation when the zeolitic material contains ionic silver in the crystalline network.The E. coli, S. faecalis and C. albicans survival behavior suspended in aqueous solutions after contact with Ag-modified natural zeolites depends on the chemical speciation of the silver present in these materials, Ag+1 in the case of OAgiZ or nanoparticles of Ago promoted by the grapefruit extract (OAgnpTZ), as well as by non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates (OAgnpPZ). In general, the concentration of silver in the aqueous solution after the disinfection process cannot exceed the recommended levels established for international organizations. The OAgnpPZ is a potential microbicide agent against E. coli and C. albicans, and the OAgnpTZ for F. faecalis.Graphical abstractARTWORK.ARTWORK.In developing countries, death due to diseases caused by fecal-oral ingestion can be avoided by taking action on drinking water issues. Adequate access to water treatment systems to reduce infections is a critical cause. Silver has been used as an antibacterial product, including biomedical applications. Therefore, in this paper, the effect of the chemical speciation of silver from silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs on the mortality of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Streptococcus faecalis (S. faecalis) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) suspended in aqueous solution was investigated for disinfection purposes.The following aspects were considered to develop the investigation: a) the technique to prepare the modified zeolitic materials, either with ionic silver or silver nanoparticles, which were obtained in two ways: one, with grapefruit extract and the second, by using non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates; b) the response of the prokaryotes (bacteria) and eukaryote (yeast) microorganisms to disinfectant agents in batch systems; c) the disinfection processes as a function of time to obtain kinetics parameters; and d) the kinetics of the silver release from the silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs, considering the models of Higuchi and Korsmeyer. The zeolitic materials were characterized by low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).The non-thermal plasma reduced ionic silver is more efficient at generating silver compounds with several oxidation states, which are essential during the microbial inhibition process. For the bacterial (E. coli and S. faecalis), the materials with nanoparticles were efficient to inactivate them. However, the yeast (C. albicans) reaches the total inactivation when the zeolitic material contains ionic silver in the crystalline network.The E. coli, S. faecalis and C. albicans survival behavior suspended in aqueous solutions after contact with Ag-modified natural zeolites depends on the chemical speciation of the silver present in these materials, Ag+1 in the case of OAgiZ or nanoparticles of Ago promoted by the grapefruit extract (OAgnpTZ), as well as by non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates (OAgnpPZ). In general, the concentration of silver in the aqueous solution after the disinfection process cannot exceed the recommended levels established for international organizations. The OAgnpPZ is a potential microbicide agent against E. coli and C. albicans, and the OAgnpTZ for F. faecalis.Graphical abstractARTWORK.ARTWORK.In developing countries, death due to diseases caused by fecal-oral ingestion can be avoided by taking action on drinking water issues. Adequate access to water treatment systems to reduce infections is a critical cause. Silver has been used as an antibacterial product, including biomedical applications. Therefore, in this paper, the effect of the chemical speciation of silver from silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs on the mortality of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Streptococcus faecalis (S. faecalis) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) suspended in aqueous solution was investigated for disinfection purposes.The following aspects were considered to develop the investigation: a) the technique to prepare the modified zeolitic materials, either with ionic silver or silver nanoparticles, which were obtained in two ways: one, with grapefruit extract and the second, by using non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates; b) the response of the prokaryotes (bacteria) and eukaryote (yeast) microorganisms to disinfectant agents in batch systems; c) the disinfection processes as a function of time to obtain kinetics parameters; and d) the kinetics of the silver release from the silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs, considering the models of Higuchi and Korsmeyer. The zeolitic materials were characterized by low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).The non-thermal plasma reduced ionic silver is more efficient at generating silver compounds with several oxidation states, which are essential during the microbial inhibition process. For the bacterial (E. coli and S. faecalis), the materials with nanoparticles were efficient to inactivate them. However, the yeast (C. albicans) reaches the total inactivation when the zeolitic material contains ionic silver in the crystalline network.The E. coli, S. faecalis and C. albicans survival behavior suspended in aqueous solutions after contact with Ag-modified natural zeolites depends on the chemical speciation of the silver present in these materials, Ag+1 in the case of OAgiZ or nanoparticles of Ago promoted by the grapefruit extract (OAgnpTZ), as well as by non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates (OAgnpPZ). In general, the concentration of silver in the aqueous solution after the disinfection process cannot exceed the recommended levels established for international organizations. The OAgnpPZ is a potential microbicide agent against E. coli and C. albicans, and the OAgnpTZ for F. faecalis.Graphical abstractARTWORK.ARTWORK.In developing countries, death due to diseases caused by fecal-oral ingestion can be avoided by taking action on drinking water issues. Adequate access to water treatment systems to reduce infections is a critical cause. Silver has been used as an antibacterial product, including biomedical applications. Therefore, in this paper, the effect of the chemical speciation of silver from silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs on the mortality of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Streptococcus faecalis (S. faecalis) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) suspended in aqueous solution was investigated for disinfection purposes.The following aspects were considered to develop the investigation: a) the technique to prepare the modified zeolitic materials, either with ionic silver or silver nanoparticles, which were obtained in two ways: one, with grapefruit extract and the second, by using non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates; b) the response of the prokaryotes (bacteria) and eukaryote (yeast) microorganisms to disinfectant agents in batch systems; c) the disinfection processes as a function of time to obtain kinetics parameters; and d) the kinetics of the silver release from the silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs, considering the models of Higuchi and Korsmeyer. The zeolitic materials were characterized by low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).The non-thermal plasma reduced ionic silver is more efficient at generating silver compounds with several oxidation states, which are essential during the microbial inhibition process. For the bacterial (E. coli and S. faecalis), the materials with nanoparticles were efficient to inactivate them. However, the yeast (C. albicans) reaches the total inactivation when the zeolitic material contains ionic silver in the crystalline network.The E. coli, S. faecalis and C. albicans survival behavior suspended in aqueous solutions after contact with Ag-modified natural zeolites depends on the chemical speciation of the silver present in these materials, Ag+1 in the case of OAgiZ or nanoparticles of Ago promoted by the grapefruit extract (OAgnpTZ), as well as by non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates (OAgnpPZ). In general, the concentration of silver in the aqueous solution after the disinfection process cannot exceed the recommended levels established for international organizations. The OAgnpPZ is a potential microbicide agent against E. coli and C. albicans, and the OAgnpTZ for F. faecalis.Graphical abstractARTWORK.ARTWORK.In developing countries, death due to diseases caused by fecal-oral ingestion can be avoided by taking action on drinking water issues. Adequate access to water treatment systems to reduce infections is a critical cause. Silver has been used as an antibacterial product, including biomedical applications. Therefore, in this paper, the effect of the chemical speciation of silver from silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs on the mortality of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Streptococcus faecalis (S. faecalis) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) suspended in aqueous solution was investigated for disinfection purposes.The following aspects were considered to develop the investigation: a) the technique to prepare the modified zeolitic materials, either with ionic silver or silver nanoparticles, which were obtained in two ways: one, with grapefruit extract and the second, by using non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates; b) the response of the prokaryotes (bacteria) and eukaryote (yeast) microorganisms to disinfectant agents in batch systems; c) the disinfection processes as a function of time to obtain kinetics parameters; and d) the kinetics of the silver release from the silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs, considering the models of Higuchi and Korsmeyer. The zeolitic materials were characterized by low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).The non-thermal plasma reduced ionic silver is more efficient at generating silver compounds with several oxidation states, which are essential during the microbial inhibition process. For the bacterial (E. coli and S. faecalis), the materials with nanoparticles were efficient to inactivate them. However, the yeast (C. albicans) reaches the total inactivation when the zeolitic material contains ionic silver in the crystalline network.The E. coli, S. faecalis and C. albicans survival behavior suspended in aqueous solutions after contact with Ag-modified natural zeolites depends on the chemical speciation of the silver present in these materials, Ag+1 in the case of OAgiZ or nanoparticles of Ago promoted by the grapefruit extract (OAgnpTZ), as well as by non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates (OAgnpPZ). In general, the concentration of silver in the aqueous solution after the disinfection process cannot exceed the recommended levels established for international organizations. The OAgnpPZ is a potential microbicide agent against E. coli and C. albicans, and the OAgnpTZ for F. faecalis.Graphical abstractARTWORK.ARTWORK.In developing countries, death due to diseases caused by fecal-oral ingestion can be avoided by taking action on drinking water issues. Adequate access to water treatment systems to reduce infections is a critical cause. Silver has been used as an antibacterial product, including biomedical applications. Therefore, in this paper, the effect of the chemical speciation of silver from silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs on the mortality of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Streptococcus faecalis (S. faecalis) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) suspended in aqueous solution was investigated for disinfection purposes.The following aspects were considered to develop the investigation: a) the technique to prepare the modified zeolitic materials, either with ionic silver or silver nanoparticles, which were obtained in two ways: one, with grapefruit extract and the second, by using non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates; b) the response of the prokaryotes (bacteria) and eukaryote (yeast) microorganisms to disinfectant agents in batch systems; c) the disinfection processes as a function of time to obtain kinetics parameters; and d) the kinetics of the silver release from the silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs, considering the models of Higuchi and Korsmeyer. The zeolitic materials were characterized by low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).The non-thermal plasma reduced ionic silver is more efficient at generating silver compounds with several oxidation states, which are essential during the microbial inhibition process. For the bacterial (E. coli and S. faecalis), the materials with nanoparticles were efficient to inactivate them. However, the yeast (C. albicans) reaches the total inactivation when the zeolitic material contains ionic silver in the crystalline network.The E. coli, S. faecalis and C. albicans survival behavior suspended in aqueous solutions after contact with Ag-modified natural zeolites depends on the chemical speciation of the silver present in these materials, Ag+1 in the case of OAgiZ or nanoparticles of Ago promoted by the grapefruit extract (OAgnpTZ), as well as by non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates (OAgnpPZ). In general, the concentration of silver in the aqueous solution after the disinfection process cannot exceed the recommended levels established for international organizations. The OAgnpPZ is a potential microbicide agent against E. coli and C. albicans, and the OAgnpTZ for F. faecalis.Graphical abstractARTWORK.ARTWORK.In developing countries, death due to diseases caused by fecal-oral ingestion can be avoided by taking action on drinking water issues. Adequate access to water treatment systems to reduce infections is a critical cause. Silver has been used as an antibacterial product, including biomedical applications. Therefore, in this paper, the effect of the chemical speciation of silver from silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs on the mortality of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Streptococcus faecalis (S. faecalis) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) suspended in aqueous solution was investigated for disinfection purposes.The following aspects were considered to develop the investigation: a) the technique to prepare the modified zeolitic materials, either with ionic silver or silver nanoparticles, which were obtained in two ways: one, with grapefruit extract and the second, by using non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates; b) the response of the prokaryotes (bacteria) and eukaryote (yeast) microorganisms to disinfectant agents in batch systems; c) the disinfection processes as a function of time to obtain kinetics parameters; and d) the kinetics of the silver release from the silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs, considering the models of Higuchi and Korsmeyer. The zeolitic materials were characterized by low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).The non-thermal plasma reduced ionic silver is more efficient at generating silver compounds with several oxidation states, which are essential during the microbial inhibition process. For the bacterial (E. coli and S. faecalis), the materials with nanoparticles were efficient to inactivate them. However, the yeast (C. albicans) reaches the total inactivation when the zeolitic material contains ionic silver in the crystalline network.The E. coli, S. faecalis and C. albicans survival behavior suspended in aqueous solutions after contact with Ag-modified natural zeolites depends on the chemical speciation of the silver present in these materials, Ag+1 in the case of OAgiZ or nanoparticles of Ago promoted by the grapefruit extract (OAgnpTZ), as well as by non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates (OAgnpPZ). In general, the concentration of silver in the aqueous solution after the disinfection process cannot exceed the recommended levels established for international organizations. The OAgnpPZ is a potential microbicide agent against E. coli and C. albicans, and the OAgnpTZ for F. faecalis.Graphical abstractARTWORK.ARTWORK.In developing countries, death due to diseases caused by fecal-oral ingestion can be avoided by taking action on drinking water issues. Adequate access to water treatment systems to reduce infections is a critical cause. Silver has been used as an antibacterial product, including biomedical applications. Therefore, in this paper, the effect of the chemical speciation of silver from silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs on the mortality of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Streptococcus faecalis (S. faecalis) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) suspended in aqueous solution was investigated for disinfection purposes.The following aspects were considered to develop the investigation: a) the technique to prepare the modified zeolitic materials, either with ionic silver or silver nanoparticles, which were obtained in two ways: one, with grapefruit extract and the second, by using non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates; b) the response of the prokaryotes (bacteria) and eukaryote (yeast) microorganisms to disinfectant agents in batch systems; c) the disinfection processes as a function of time to obtain kinetics parameters; and d) the kinetics of the silver release from the silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs, considering the models of Higuchi and Korsmeyer. The zeolitic materials were characterized by low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).The non-thermal plasma reduced ionic silver is more efficient at generating silver compounds with several oxidation states, which are essential during the microbial inhibition process. For the bacterial (E. coli and S. faecalis), the materials with nanoparticles were efficient to inactivate them. However, the yeast (C. albicans) reaches the total inactivation when the zeolitic material contains ionic silver in the crystalline network.The E. coli, S. faecalis and C. albicans survival behavior suspended in aqueous solutions after contact with Ag-modified natural zeolites depends on the chemical speciation of the silver present in these materials, Ag+1 in the case of OAgiZ or nanoparticles of Ago promoted by the grapefruit extract (OAgnpTZ), as well as by non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates (OAgnpPZ). In general, the concentration of silver in the aqueous solution after the disinfection process cannot exceed the recommended levels established for international organizations. The OAgnpPZ is a potential microbicide agent against E. coli and C. albicans, and the OAgnpTZ for F. faecalis.Graphical abstractARTWORK.ARTWORK.In developing countries, death due to diseases caused by fecal-oral ingestion can be avoided by taking action on drinking water issues. Adequate access to water treatment systems to reduce infections is a critical cause. Silver has been used as an antibacterial product, including biomedical applications. Therefore, in this paper, the effect of the chemical speciation of silver from silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs on the mortality of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Streptococcus faecalis (S. faecalis) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) suspended in aqueous solution was investigated for disinfection purposes.The following aspects were considered to develop the investigation: a) the technique to prepare the modified zeolitic materials, either with ionic silver or silver nanoparticles, which were obtained in two ways: one, with grapefruit extract and the second, by using non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates; b) the response of the prokaryotes (bacteria) and eukaryote (yeast) microorganisms to disinfectant agents in batch systems; c) the disinfection processes as a function of time to obtain kinetics parameters; and d) the kinetics of the silver release from the silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs, considering the models of Higuchi and Korsmeyer. The zeolitic materials were characterized by low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).The non-thermal plasma reduced ionic silver is more efficient at generating silver compounds with several oxidation states, which are essential during the microbial inhibition process. For the bacterial (E. coli and S. faecalis), the materials with nanoparticles were efficient to inactivate them. However, the yeast (C. albicans) reaches the total inactivation when the zeolitic material contains ionic silver in the crystalline network.The E. coli, S. faecalis and C. albicans survival behavior suspended in aqueous solutions after contact with Ag-modified natural zeolites depends on the chemical speciation of the silver present in these materials, Ag+1 in the case of OAgiZ or nanoparticles of Ago promoted by the grapefruit extract (OAgnpTZ), as well as by non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates (OAgnpPZ). In general, the concentration of silver in the aqueous solution after the disinfection process cannot exceed the recommended levels established for international organizations. The OAgnpPZ is a potential microbicide agent against E. coli and C. albicans, and the OAgnpTZ for F. faecalis.Graphical abstractARTWORK.ARTWORK.In developing countries, death due to diseases caused by fecal-oral ingestion can be avoided by taking action on drinking water issues. Adequate access to water treatment systems to reduce infections is a critical cause. Silver has been used as an antibacterial product, including biomedical applications. Therefore, in this paper, the effect of the chemical speciation of silver from silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs on the mortality of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Streptococcus faecalis (S. faecalis) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) suspended in aqueous solution was investigated for disinfection purposes.The following aspects were considered to develop the investigation: a) the technique to prepare the modified zeolitic materials, either with ionic silver or silver nanoparticles, which were obtained in two ways: one, with grapefruit extract and the second, by using non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates; b) the response of the prokaryotes (bacteria) and eukaryote (yeast) microorganisms to disinfectant agents in batch systems; c) the disinfection processes as a function of time to obtain kinetics parameters; and d) the kinetics of the silver release from the silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs, considering the models of Higuchi and Korsmeyer. The zeolitic materials were characterized by low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).The non-thermal plasma reduced ionic silver is more efficient at generating silver compounds with several oxidation states, which are essential during the microbial inhibition process. For the bacterial (E. coli and S. faecalis), the materials with nanoparticles were efficient to inactivate them. However, the yeast (C. albicans) reaches the total inactivation when the zeolitic material contains ionic silver in the crystalline network.The E. coli, S. faecalis and C. albicans survival behavior suspended in aqueous solutions after contact with Ag-modified natural zeolites depends on the chemical speciation of the silver present in these materials, Ag+1 in the case of OAgiZ or nanoparticles of Ago promoted by the grapefruit extract (OAgnpTZ), as well as by non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates (OAgnpPZ). In general, the concentration of silver in the aqueous solution after the disinfection process cannot exceed the recommended levels established for international organizations. The OAgnpPZ is a potential microbicide agent against E. coli and C. albicans, and the OAgnpTZ for F. faecalis.Graphical abstractARTWORK.ARTWORK.In developing countries, death due to diseases caused by fecal-oral ingestion can be avoided by taking action on drinking water issues. Adequate access to water treatment systems to reduce infections is a critical cause. Silver has been used as an antibacterial product, including biomedical applications. Therefore, in this paper, the effect of the chemical speciation of silver from silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs on the mortality of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Streptococcus faecalis (S. faecalis) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) suspended in aqueous solution was investigated for disinfection purposes.The following aspects were considered to develop the investigation: a) the technique to prepare the modified zeolitic materials, either with ionic silver or silver nanoparticles, which were obtained in two ways: one, with grapefruit extract and the second, by using non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates; b) the response of the prokaryotes (bacteria) and eukaryote (yeast) microorganisms to disinfectant agents in batch systems; c) the disinfection processes as a function of time to obtain kinetics parameters; and d) the kinetics of the silver release from the silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs, considering the models of Higuchi and Korsmeyer. The zeolitic materials were characterized by low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).The non-thermal plasma reduced ionic silver is more efficient at generating silver compounds with several oxidation states, which are essential during the microbial inhibition process. For the bacterial (E. coli and S. faecalis), the materials with nanoparticles were efficient to inactivate them. However, the yeast (C. albicans) reaches the total inactivation when the zeolitic material contains ionic silver in the crystalline network.The E. coli, S. faecalis and C. albicans survival behavior suspended in aqueous solutions after contact with Ag-modified natural zeolites depends on the chemical speciation of the silver present in these materials, Ag+1 in the case of OAgiZ or nanoparticles of Ago promoted by the grapefruit extract (OAgnpTZ), as well as by non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates (OAgnpPZ). In general, the concentration of silver in the aqueous solution after the disinfection process cannot exceed the recommended levels established for international organizations. The OAgnpPZ is a potential microbicide agent against E. coli and C. albicans, and the OAgnpTZ for F. faecalis.Graphical abstractARTWORK.ARTWORK.In developing countries, death due to diseases caused by fecal-oral ingestion can be avoided by taking action on drinking water issues. Adequate access to water treatment systems to reduce infections is a critical cause. Silver has been used as an antibacterial product, including biomedical applications. Therefore, in this paper, the effect of the chemical speciation of silver from silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs on the mortality of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Streptococcus faecalis (S. faecalis) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) suspended in aqueous solution was investigated for disinfection purposes.The following aspects were considered to develop the investigation: a) the technique to prepare the modified zeolitic materials, either with ionic silver or silver nanoparticles, which were obtained in two ways: one, with grapefruit extract and the second, by using non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates; b) the response of the prokaryotes (bacteria) and eukaryote (yeast) microorganisms to disinfectant agents in batch systems; c) the disinfection processes as a function of time to obtain kinetics parameters; and d) the kinetics of the silver release from the silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs, considering the models of Higuchi and Korsmeyer. The zeolitic materials were characterized by low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).The non-thermal plasma reduced ionic silver is more efficient at generating silver compounds with several oxidation states, which are essential during the microbial inhibition process. For the bacterial (E. coli and S. faecalis), the materials with nanoparticles were efficient to inactivate them. However, the yeast (C. albicans) reaches the total inactivation when the zeolitic material contains ionic silver in the crystalline network.The E. coli, S. faecalis and C. albicans survival behavior suspended in aqueous solutions after contact with Ag-modified natural zeolites depends on the chemical speciation of the silver present in these materials, Ag+1 in the case of OAgiZ or nanoparticles of Ago promoted by the grapefruit extract (OAgnpTZ), as well as by non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates (OAgnpPZ). In general, the concentration of silver in the aqueous solution after the disinfection process cannot exceed the recommended levels established for international organizations. The OAgnpPZ is a potential microbicide agent against E. coli and C. albicans, and the OAgnpTZ for F. faecalis.Graphical abstractARTWORK.ARTWORK.In developing countries, death due to diseases caused by fecal-oral ingestion can be avoided by taking action on drinking water issues. Adequate access to water treatment systems to reduce infections is a critical cause. Silver has been used as an antibacterial product, including biomedical applications. Therefore, in this paper, the effect of the chemical speciation of silver from silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs on the mortality of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Streptococcus faecalis (S. faecalis) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) suspended in aqueous solution was investigated for disinfection purposes.The following aspects were considered to develop the investigation: a) the technique to prepare the modified zeolitic materials, either with ionic silver or silver nanoparticles, which were obtained in two ways: one, with grapefruit extract and the second, by using non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates; b) the response of the prokaryotes (bacteria) and eukaryote (yeast) microorganisms to disinfectant agents in batch systems; c) the disinfection processes as a function of time to obtain kinetics parameters; and d) the kinetics of the silver release from the silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs, considering the models of Higuchi and Korsmeyer. The zeolitic materials were characterized by low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).The non-thermal plasma reduced ionic silver is more efficient at generating silver compounds with several oxidation states, which are essential during the microbial inhibition process. For the bacterial (E. coli and S. faecalis), the materials with nanoparticles were efficient to inactivate them. However, the yeast (C. albicans) reaches the total inactivation when the zeolitic material contains ionic silver in the crystalline network.The E. coli, S. faecalis and C. albicans survival behavior suspended in aqueous solutions after contact with Ag-modified natural zeolites depends on the chemical speciation of the silver present in these materials, Ag+1 in the case of OAgiZ or nanoparticles of Ago promoted by the grapefruit extract (OAgnpTZ), as well as by non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates (OAgnpPZ). In general, the concentration of silver in the aqueous solution after the disinfection process cannot exceed the recommended levels established for international organizations. The OAgnpPZ is a potential microbicide agent against E. coli and C. albicans, and the OAgnpTZ for F. faecalis.Graphical abstractARTWORK.ARTWORK.In developing countries, death due to diseases caused by fecal-oral ingestion can be avoided by taking action on drinking water issues. Adequate access to water treatment systems to reduce infections is a critical cause. Silver has been used as an antibacterial product, including biomedical applications. Therefore, in this paper, the effect of the chemical speciation of silver from silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs on the mortality of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Streptococcus faecalis (S. faecalis) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) suspended in aqueous solution was investigated for disinfection purposes.The following aspects were considered to develop the investigation: a) the technique to prepare the modified zeolitic materials, either with ionic silver or silver nanoparticles, which were obtained in two ways: one, with grapefruit extract and the second, by using non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates; b) the response of the prokaryotes (bacteria) and eukaryote (yeast) microorganisms to disinfectant agents in batch systems; c) the disinfection processes as a function of time to obtain kinetics parameters; and d) the kinetics of the silver release from the silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs, considering the models of Higuchi and Korsmeyer. The zeolitic materials were characterized by low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).The non-thermal plasma reduced ionic silver is more efficient at generating silver compounds with several oxidation states, which are essential during the microbial inhibition process. For the bacterial (E. coli and S. faecalis), the materials with nanoparticles were efficient to inactivate them. However, the yeast (C. albicans) reaches the total inactivation when the zeolitic material contains ionic silver in the crystalline network.The E. coli, S. faecalis and C. albicans survival behavior suspended in aqueous solutions after contact with Ag-modified natural zeolites depends on the chemical speciation of the silver present in these materials, Ag+1 in the case of OAgiZ or nanoparticles of Ago promoted by the grapefruit extract (OAgnpTZ), as well as by non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates (OAgnpPZ). In general, the concentration of silver in the aqueous solution after the disinfection process cannot exceed the recommended levels established for international organizations. The OAgnpPZ is a potential microbicide agent against E. coli and C. albicans, and the OAgnpTZ for F. faecalis.Graphical abstractARTWORK.ARTWORK.In developing countries, death due to diseases caused by fecal-oral ingestion can be avoided by taking action on drinking water issues. Adequate access to water treatment systems to reduce infections is a critical cause. Silver has been used as an antibacterial product, including biomedical applications. Therefore, in this paper, the effect of the chemical speciation of silver from silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs on the mortality of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Streptococcus faecalis (S. faecalis) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) suspended in aqueous solution was investigated for disinfection purposes.The following aspects were considered to develop the investigation: a) the technique to prepare the modified zeolitic materials, either with ionic silver or silver nanoparticles, which were obtained in two ways: one, with grapefruit extract and the second, by using non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates; b) the response of the prokaryotes (bacteria) and eukaryote (yeast) microorganisms to disinfectant agents in batch systems; c) the disinfection processes as a function of time to obtain kinetics parameters; and d) the kinetics of the silver release from the silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs, considering the models of Higuchi and Korsmeyer. The zeolitic materials were characterized by low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).The non-thermal plasma reduced ionic silver is more efficient at generating silver compounds with several oxidation states, which are essential during the microbial inhibition process. For the bacterial (E. coli and S. faecalis), the materials with nanoparticles were efficient to inactivate them. However, the yeast (C. albicans) reaches the total inactivation when the zeolitic material contains ionic silver in the crystalline network.The E. coli, S. faecalis and C. albicans survival behavior suspended in aqueous solutions after contact with Ag-modified natural zeolites depends on the chemical speciation of the silver present in these materials, Ag+1 in the case of OAgiZ or nanoparticles of Ago promoted by the grapefruit extract (OAgnpTZ), as well as by non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates (OAgnpPZ). In general, the concentration of silver in the aqueous solution after the disinfection process cannot exceed the recommended levels established for international organizations. The OAgnpPZ is a potential microbicide agent against E. coli and C. albicans, and the OAgnpTZ for F. faecalis.Graphical abstractARTWORK.ARTWORK.In developing countries, death due to diseases caused by fecal-oral ingestion can be avoided by taking action on drinking water issues. Adequate access to water treatment systems to reduce infections is a critical cause. Silver has been used as an antibacterial product, including biomedical applications. Therefore, in this paper, the effect of the chemical speciation of silver from silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs on the mortality of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Streptococcus faecalis (S. faecalis) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) suspended in aqueous solution was investigated for disinfection purposes.The following aspects were considered to develop the investigation: a) the technique to prepare the modified zeolitic materials, either with ionic silver or silver nanoparticles, which were obtained in two ways: one, with grapefruit extract and the second, by using non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates; b) the response of the prokaryotes (bacteria) and eukaryote (yeast) microorganisms to disinfectant agents in batch systems; c) the disinfection processes as a function of time to obtain kinetics parameters; and d) the kinetics of the silver release from the silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs, considering the models of Higuchi and Korsmeyer. The zeolitic materials were characterized by low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).The non-thermal plasma reduced ionic silver is more efficient at generating silver compounds with several oxidation states, which are essential during the microbial inhibition process. For the bacterial (E. coli and S. faecalis), the materials with nanoparticles were efficient to inactivate them. However, the yeast (C. albicans) reaches the total inactivation when the zeolitic material contains ionic silver in the crystalline network.The E. coli, S. faecalis and C. albicans survival behavior suspended in aqueous solutions after contact with Ag-modified natural zeolites depends on the chemical speciation of the silver present in these materials, Ag+1 in the case of OAgiZ or nanoparticles of Ago promoted by the grapefruit extract (OAgnpTZ), as well as by non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates (OAgnpPZ). In general, the concentration of silver in the aqueous solution after the disinfection process cannot exceed the recommended levels established for international organizations. The OAgnpPZ is a potential microbicide agent against E. coli and C. albicans, and the OAgnpTZ for F. faecalis.Graphical abstractARTWORK.ARTWORK.In developing countries, death due to diseases caused by fecal-oral ingestion can be avoided by taking action on drinking water issues. Adequate access to water treatment systems to reduce infections is a critical cause. Silver has been used as an antibacterial product, including biomedical applications. Therefore, in this paper, the effect of the chemical speciation of silver from silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs on the mortality of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Streptococcus faecalis (S. faecalis) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) suspended in aqueous solution was investigated for disinfection purposes.The following aspects were considered to develop the investigation: a) the technique to prepare the modified zeolitic materials, either with ionic silver or silver nanoparticles, which were obtained in two ways: one, with grapefruit extract and the second, by using non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates; b) the response of the prokaryotes (bacteria) and eukaryote (yeast) microorganisms to disinfectant agents in batch systems; c) the disinfection processes as a function of time to obtain kinetics parameters; and d) the kinetics of the silver release from the silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs, considering the models of Higuchi and Korsmeyer. The zeolitic materials were characterized by low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).The non-thermal plasma reduced ionic silver is more efficient at generating silver compounds with several oxidation states, which are essential during the microbial inhibition process. For the bacterial (E. coli and S. faecalis), the materials with nanoparticles were efficient to inactivate them. However, the yeast (C. albicans) reaches the total inactivation when the zeolitic material contains ionic silver in the crystalline network.The E. coli, S. faecalis and C. albicans survival behavior suspended in aqueous solutions after contact with Ag-modified natural zeolites depends on the chemical speciation of the silver present in these materials, Ag+1 in the case of OAgiZ or nanoparticles of Ago promoted by the grapefruit extract (OAgnpTZ), as well as by non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates (OAgnpPZ). In general, the concentration of silver in the aqueous solution after the disinfection process cannot exceed the recommended levels established for international organizations. The OAgnpPZ is a potential microbicide agent against E. coli and C. albicans, and the OAgnpTZ for F. faecalis.Graphical abstractARTWORK.ARTWORK.In developing countries, death due to diseases caused by fecal-oral ingestion can be avoided by taking action on drinking water issues. Adequate access to water treatment systems to reduce infections is a critical cause. Silver has been used as an antibacterial product, including biomedical applications. Therefore, in this paper, the effect of the chemical speciation of silver from silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs on the mortality of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Streptococcus faecalis (S. faecalis) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) suspended in aqueous solution was investigated for disinfection purposes.The following aspects were considered to develop the investigation: a) the technique to prepare the modified zeolitic materials, either with ionic silver or silver nanoparticles, which were obtained in two ways: one, with grapefruit extract and the second, by using non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates; b) the response of the prokaryotes (bacteria) and eukaryote (yeast) microorganisms to disinfectant agents in batch systems; c) the disinfection processes as a function of time to obtain kinetics parameters; and d) the kinetics of the silver release from the silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs, considering the models of Higuchi and Korsmeyer. The zeolitic materials were characterized by low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).The non-thermal plasma reduced ionic silver is more efficient at generating silver compounds with several oxidation states, which are essential during the microbial inhibition process. For the bacterial (E. coli and S. faecalis), the materials with nanoparticles were efficient to inactivate them. However, the yeast (C. albicans) reaches the total inactivation when the zeolitic material contains ionic silver in the crystalline network.The E. coli, S. faecalis and C. albicans survival behavior suspended in aqueous solutions after contact with Ag-modified natural zeolites depends on the chemical speciation of the silver present in these materials, Ag+1 in the case of OAgiZ or nanoparticles of Ago promoted by the grapefruit extract (OAgnpTZ), as well as by non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates (OAgnpPZ). In general, the concentration of silver in the aqueous solution after the disinfection process cannot exceed the recommended levels established for international organizations. The OAgnpPZ is a potential microbicide agent against E. coli and C. albicans, and the OAgnpTZ for F. faecalis.Graphical abstractARTWORK.ARTWORK.In developing countries, death due to diseases caused by fecal-oral ingestion can be avoided by taking action on drinking water issues. Adequate access to water treatment systems to reduce infections is a critical cause. Silver has been used as an antibacterial product, including biomedical applications. Therefore, in this paper, the effect of the chemical speciation of silver from silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs on the mortality of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Streptococcus faecalis (S. faecalis) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) suspended in aqueous solution was investigated for disinfection purposes.The following aspects were considered to develop the investigation: a) the technique to prepare the modified zeolitic materials, either with ionic silver or silver nanoparticles, which were obtained in two ways: one, with grapefruit extract and the second, by using non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates; b) the response of the prokaryotes (bacteria) and eukaryote (yeast) microorganisms to disinfectant agents in batch systems; c) the disinfection processes as a function of time to obtain kinetics parameters; and d) the kinetics of the silver release from the silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs, considering the models of Higuchi and Korsmeyer. The zeolitic materials were characterized by low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).The non-thermal plasma reduced ionic silver is more efficient at generating silver compounds with several oxidation states, which are essential during the microbial inhibition process. For the bacterial (E. coli and S. faecalis), the materials with nanoparticles were efficient to inactivate them. However, the yeast (C. albicans) reaches the total inactivation when the zeolitic material contains ionic silver in the crystalline network.The E. coli, S. faecalis and C. albicans survival behavior suspended in aqueous solutions after contact with Ag-modified natural zeolites depends on the chemical speciation of the silver present in these materials, Ag+1 in the case of OAgiZ or nanoparticles of Ago promoted by the grapefruit extract (OAgnpTZ), as well as by non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates (OAgnpPZ). In general, the concentration of silver in the aqueous solution after the disinfection process cannot exceed the recommended levels established for international organizations. The OAgnpPZ is a potential microbicide agent against E. coli and C. albicans, and the OAgnpTZ for F. faecalis.Graphical abstractARTWORK.ARTWORK.In developing countries, death due to diseases caused by fecal-oral ingestion can be avoided by taking action on drinking water issues. Adequate access to water treatment systems to reduce infections is a critical cause. Silver has been used as an antibacterial product, including biomedical applications. Therefore, in this paper, the effect of the chemical speciation of silver from silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs on the mortality of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Streptococcus faecalis (S. faecalis) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) suspended in aqueous solution was investigated for disinfection purposes.The following aspects were considered to develop the investigation: a) the technique to prepare the modified zeolitic materials, either with ionic silver or silver nanoparticles, which were obtained in two ways: one, with grapefruit extract and the second, by using non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates; b) the response of the prokaryotes (bacteria) and eukaryote (yeast) microorganisms to disinfectant agents in batch systems; c) the disinfection processes as a function of time to obtain kinetics parameters; and d) the kinetics of the silver release from the silver-modified zeolite-rich tuffs, considering the models of Higuchi and Korsmeyer. The zeolitic materials were characterized by low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).The non-thermal plasma reduced ionic silver is more efficient at generating silver compounds with several oxidation states, which are essential during the microbial inhibition process. For the bacterial (E. coli and S. faecalis), the materials with nanoparticles were efficient to inactivate them. However, the yeast (C. albicans) reaches the total inactivation when the zeolitic material contains ionic silver in the crystalline network.The E. coli, S. faecalis and C. albicans survival behavior suspended in aqueous solutions after contact with Ag-modified natural zeolites depends on the chemical speciation of the silver present in these materials, Ag+1 in the case of OAgiZ or nanoparticles of Ago promoted by the grapefruit extract (OAgnpTZ), as well as by non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor of parallel plates (OAgnpPZ). In general, the concentration of silver in the aqueous solution after the disinfection process cannot exceed the recommended levels established for international organizations. The OAgnpPZ is a potential microbicide agent against E. coli and C. albicans, and the OAgnpTZ for F. faecalis.Graphical abstractARTWORK.ARTWORK. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The UNESCO San Francisco Rock Paintings polygon within El Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve in the Baja California Peninsula derives its moisture from the North American monsoon. There, ranchers have depended on the desert since the 18th century. More recently, the desert has depended on the environmental stewardship of the ranchers who have allayed mining exploitation and archaeological looting. Using a Rapid Assessment Procedure (RAP), climate data, and geographical information, sustainability was assessed and foreseeable risks identified, on behalf of the Reserve. The results showed that the costs of stewardship were in terms of water appropriation and livestock herbivory. The socio-ecological system also faced hydrological risks derived from runoff, high evaporation rates and climate change. Additional risks stemmed from the increasing global demand for minerals, including hydrocarbons, found in the Reserve. These external drivers could substantially alter the attitudes of the ranchers or the land tenure. Land abandonment might become possible as children and women seemed to out-migrate from the polygon. Solutions were identified based on the supply and demand for water and should enhance resilience via watershed management and in-ranch water appropriate technologies.

Persistence or degradation of synthetic antibiotics in soil is crucial in assessing their environmental risks. Microbial catabolic activity in a sandy loamy soil with pig manure using 12C- and 14C-labelled sulfamethazine (SMZ) respirometry showed that SMZ was not readily degradable. But after 100 days, degradation in sulfadiazine-exposed manure was 9.2%, far greater than soil and organic manure (0.5% and 0.11%, respectively, p < 0.05). Abiotic degradation was not detected suggesting microbial catabolism as main degradation mechanism. Terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism showed biodiversity increases within 1 day of SMZ spiking and especially after 200 days, although some species plummeted. A clone library from the treatment with highest degradation showed that most bacteria belonged to α, β and γ classes of Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes and Acidobacteria. Proteobacteria (α, β and γ), Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes which were the most abundant classes on day 1 also decreased most following prolonged exposure. From the matrix showing the highest degradation rate, 17 SMZ-resistant isolates biodegraded low levels of 14C-labelled SMZ when each species was incubated separately (0.2-1.5%) but biodegradation was enhanced when the four isolates with the highest biodegradation were incubated in a consortium (Bacillus licheniformis, Pseudomonas putida, Alcaligenes sp. and Aquamicrobium defluvium as per 16S rRNA gene sequencing), removing up to 7.8% of SMZ after 20 days. One of these species (B. licheniformis) was a known livestock and occasional human pathogen. Despite an environmental role of these species in sulfonamide bioremediation, the possibility of horizontal transfer of pathogenicity and resistance genes should caution against an indiscriminate use of these species as sulfonamide degraders.