Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Antibacterial and Antiviral Nanomaterials for Water Pathogen Removal: Focus on Iraqi Research (2010–2025)

The presence of microbial contaminants in water, including bacteria and viruses, remains a critical concern in public health, especially in developing countries such as Iraq. Over the past decade, nanotechnology has gained attention as a promising approach for pathogen removal due to the unique properties of antibacterial and antiviral nanomaterials [1–5]. This quantitative review and meta-analysis examines Iraqi studies published between 2010 and 2025 that investigated the use of nanomaterials for microbial water treatment. The findings show that various nanomaterials, including silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), titanium dioxide (TiO₂), zinc oxide (ZnO), and carbon-based nanocomposites, have been applied successfully in local water treatment systems [6–14]. Their effectiveness is largely attributed to mechanisms such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, membrane disruption, and viral deactivation, which contribute to significant reductions in microbial load [15–20]. For example, AgNPs synthesized using green methods demonstrated strong antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus, while TiO₂-based materials showed enhanced photocatalytic disinfection in several studies [21]. Despite promising outcomes, some limitations remain, including variability in experimental design, limited field-scale implementation, and concerns about nanotoxicity and environmental safety . Nevertheless, this study highlights the potential of nanotechnology to improve microbial water treatment in Iraq and provides a foundation for future research and policy development .