Research of Microbiological Indicators of Quality of Surface Waters of Natural Environmental Territories of the Danube Basin

A comparative analysis of the sanitary and ecological state of surface watercourses in the upper part of the Danube basin (on theterritoryofUkraine) was carried out according to microbiological indicators. Similar hygienic studies were previously conducted in the middle and lower Danube inAustria,Slovakia,HungaryandRomania. InUkraine, the river network of theDanubeRiver basinwas not studied by microbiological indicators.The object of research is the watercourses on the territory of various zones of the nature protection object, which are different in function. This approach makes it possible to use hygienic indicators of water in protected areas of nature conservation areas as a reference for conducting background monitoring.The original design of the treatment plant based on the use of "Viya" fibrous carrier and "paste" technical structure is proposed. It was established that as the transition from the reserve to the economic zone occurs, the nitrate content in the water increases, the BOD increases in water, and the dissolved oxygen in the water decreases for all the watercourses studied. Significant differences in microbiological indices of watercourses of various functional zones of the protected object have been revealed.The possibility of using the sanitary-microbiological indicators of the river network as a reliable rapid test for assessing the state of environmental safety of nature conservation areas is shown

Quality of High-protein Diet Bar Plus Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) Grain Evaluated Sensorially by Untrained Tasters

The objective of this study was to develop, analyze composition and evaluate the microbiological and sensory characteristics of high-protein diet bars (PB) with the addition of chia grain (Salvia hispanica L.), partially replacing isolated soy protein and concentrated whey protein, in proportions of 0, 10, 15 and 20%. The proximate composition was analyzed of PB, for microbiological quality of Bacillus cereus, Filamentous fungi and yeast count, total fecal coliforms, and Salmonella ssp. search. Sensory analysis was performed utilizing acceptance testing of characteristics on a nine-point hedonic scale for various attributes, including purchasing intention of the tested PB. Bars showed 20% moisture, 2.3% ash, 20-23% protein and 19% lipids. The effect of increasing of chia was to increase crude fiber content and decrease total carbohydrate and total energy value. All samples were within the microbiological food standards established by current legislation. All PB formulations obtained a good overall impression index and all characteristics were above mean grades, with the exception of taste (63%) in the PB containing 0% chia. Chia grain has a positive influence on sensory aspects and appears to be an alternative way to increase the nutritional quality of high-protein diet bars

Microbiological analysis of natural waters

Traballo fin de grao (UDC.CIE). Bioloxía. Curso 2016/2017[Resumen] En el Ayuntamiento de Ribadeo (Lugo) se estimó la carga microbiológica presente en el agua de cuatro fuentes (fuente del Valín, Sta. Cruz, Ove y fuente de Cedofeita), un río (río de Esteiro) y un pozo para determinar si cumplían los parámetros microbiológicos establecidos en el Real Decreto 140/2003 referidos a la calidad del agua de consumo humano. Los microorganismos analizados fueron los indicadores de contaminación fecal (grupo coliforme, enterococos y Clostridium perfringens), los microorganismos totales cultivables a 22ºC y 37ºC y Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Los resultados obtenidos mostraron una baja abundancia de microorganismos cultivables y ausencia total del resto de indicadores en las cuatro fuentes y el pozo, mientras que la muestra de río presentó contaminación de origen fecal, siendo así sus aguas una posible fuente de transmisión de microorganismos patógenos.[Resumo] No Concello de Ribadeo (Lugo) estimouse a carga microbiolóxica presente na auga de catro fontes (fonte do Valín, Sta. Cruz, Ove e fonte de Cedofeita), un río e un pozo para determinar se cumprían os parámetros microbiolóxicos establecidos no Real Decreto 140/2003 referidos á calidade da auga de consumo humano. Os microorganismos analizados foron os indicadores de contaminación fecal (grupo coliforme, enterococos e Clostridium perfringens), os microorganismos cultivables a 22ºC e 37ºC e Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Os resultados obtidos amosaron unha baixa abundancia de microorganismos cultivables e ausencia total do resto nas catro fontes e no pozo, mentres que no río supéranse amplamente tódolos parámetros analizados, sendo así as súas augas unha posible fonte de transmisión de microorganismos patóxenos.[Abstract] Microbiological analyses of water from different points in Ribadeo village were carried out: four fountains (Fuente del Valín, fuente de Sta. Cruz, fuente de Ove y fuente de Cedofeita), one well and one river (río de Esteiro). Microbiological parameters related to water quality were estimated taking into account the normative published in the Real Decreto 140/2003 referred to potability of water. The microorganisms analysed were the indicators of faecal pollution (“coliform group”, enterococci and Clostridium perfrigens), the cultivable microorganisms at a 22 and 37ºC and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The results obtained show a low concentrations of cultivable microorganisms and a complete absence of the remaining indicators in the four fountains and the well, while in the river all parameters analysed are substantially exceeded. Therefore, the river waters could be a potential source of transmission of pathogenic microorganisms

Biotimer assay: A reliable and rapid method for the evaluation of central venous catheter microbial colonization

Adherent bacteria and biofilm frequently colonize central venous catheters (CVCs). CVC colonization is correlated to infections and particularly to bloodstream ones. The classical microbiological methods to determine of CVC colonization are not fully reliable and are time-consuming. BioTimer Assay (BTA) is a biological method already used to count bacteria adherent to abiotic surfaces and biofilm without sample manipulation. BTA employs specific reagents whose color changed according to bacterial metabolism. BTA is based on the principle that a metabolic reaction will be faster when more bacteria are present in the sample. Therefore, the time required for color changes of BTA reagents determines the number of bacteria present in the sample through a correlation line. Here, for the first time, we applied BTA and a specifically developed laboratory procedure to evaluate CVC colonization in comparison with the routine microbiological method (RMM). 125 CVCs removed from patients for suspected catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) or at hospital discharge were examined. BTA was reliable in assessing sterility and CVC colonization (100% agreement with RMM) and in recognizing the presence of fermenting or non-fermenting bacteria (97.1% agreement with RMM) shortening the analytical time by between 2- and 3-fold. Moreover, the reliability of BTA as early alert of CRBSI was evaluated. The sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive values for BTA as an early alert of CRBSI were 100, 40.0, 88.8 and 100%, respectively. In conclusion, BTA and the related laboratory procedure should be incorporated into routine microbiological methods since it can be considered a reliable tool to evaluate CVC colonization in a very short time and a rapid alert for CRBSIs

Investigation of the Influence of Antioxidant Compositions on Development of Microbiological Spoilage in Storage of Fruits

The studies are devoted to the scientific grounding of expedience of after-harvest processing by antioxidant compositions for preventing the development of pathogenic microflora on fruit surfaces during a long storage. For the studies were used apple fruits of the varieties Aidared, Golden Dushesse, Renet Simirenka, pear fruits of the varieties Victoria, Crimea Raisin and Cure, plum fruits of the varieties Voloshka, Stanley and Italian Ugorka. Fruits were processed by immersion in the following antioxidant compositions: ACM is a mixture of dimethyl sulfoxide, ionol and polyethylene glycols; AARL – mixture of ascorbic acid, routin and lecithin; DL – mixture of dimethyl sulfoxide, ionol and lecithin. Fruits, processed by water, were used as a control. Exposition - 10 seconds. Storage was carried out at the temperature 0±1 ºС, relative air humidity 90–95 %. It was established that in the period of fruits laying for storage, the mean amount of epiphyte microflora was fixed on surfaces of plump and pear fruits of the mean ripening term. In the variety composition of epiphyte microflora prevailed spores of mesophyl aerobic and facultative-anaerobic microorganisms. Their mean number on apple fruits surface was 9,6·103 CCU/g, pear fruits – 10,6 103 CCU/g, plump fruits – 18·103CCCU/g. AOC processing of all types of fruits essentially decreased the speed of both MAFAnM and micromycetes growth. It was demonstrated that the used compositions in 2…3,5 times decreased the level of day losses from microbiological spoilage during the whole storage period. The most positive effect was received at using compositions, based on dystinol and lecithin. Multifactor analysis determined that the level of day losses from microbiological spoilage was mainly influenced by factors of raw material variety features (factor A) and antioxidant compositions processing (factor D). The shares of influence are 24 and 21 % respectively

Monitoring of water quality from roof runoff: Interpretation using multivariate analysis

The quality of harvested rainwater used for toilet flushing in a private house in the south-west of France was assessed over a one-year period. Temperature, pH, conductivity, colour, turbidity, anions, cations, alkalinity, total hardness and total organic carbon were screened using standard analytical techniques. Total flora at 22°C and 36°C, total coliforms, Escherichia coli and enterococci were analysed. Overall, the collected rainwater had good physicochemical quality but did not meet the requirements for drinking water. The stored rainwater is characterised by low conductivity, hardness and alkalinity compared to mains water. Three widely used bacterial indicators - total coliforms, E. coli and enterococci - were detected in the majority of samples, indicating microbiological contamination of the water. To elucidate factors affecting the rainwater composition, principal component analysis and cluster analysis were applied to the complete data set of 50 observations. Chemical and microbiological parameters fluctuated during the course of the study, with the highest levels of microbiological contamination observed in roof runoffs collected during the summer. Escherichia coli and enterococci occurred simultaneously, and their presence was linked to precipitation. Runoff quality is also unpredictable because it is sensitive to the weather. Cluster analysis differentiated three clusters: ionic composition, parameters linked with the microbiological load and indicators of faecal contamination. In future surveys, parameters from these three groups will be simultaneously monitored to more accurately characterise roof collected rainwater

Organic residues - a resource for arable soils

An increased recirculation of urban organic residues to arable soils has several environmental benefits, but there is a need for reliable test systems to ensure that soil quality is maintained. In this thesis, soil microbial, chemical and physical properties were included in an integrated evaluation to reflect the positive and negative effects of amending arable soils with organic residues. Efficient statistical tools and methods to describe intrinsic spatial variation are important when evaluating soil data. A new method was developed, combining near infrared reflectance (NIR) spectroscopy with principal component analysis (PCA). The first principal component (PC1) of NIR data described spatial soil variation better than the conventional soil variables total carbon, clay content and pH. A long-term field trial was established in which the soil was amended annually with organic residues (compost, biogas residues, sewage sludge) and fertilizers (pig manure, cow manure and mineral fertilizer, NPS). Annual measurements of soil and crop quality as well as yield revealed that biogas residues performed best among the organic residues. It improved several important microbiological properties, such as substrate-induced respiration (SIR) and potential ammonium oxidation (PAO), and it compared well with mineral fertilizer in terms of grain quality and harvest yield. Altogether, the results from the field trial showed no negative effects from any of the organic residues. Short- and moderately long-term effects of wood ash and compost on potential denitrification activity (PDA) and PAO were evaluated in a laboratory incubation experiment. Wood ash application had a profound toxic effect on PDA both in the short- and long-term. This toxic effect was mitigated when compost was added to the soil

Microbial Effects on Repository Performance

This report presents a critical review of the international literature on microbial effects in and around a deep geological repository for higher activity wastes. It is aimed at those who are familiar with the nuclear industry and radioactive waste disposal, but who are not experts in microbiology; they may have a limited knowledge of how microbiology may be integrated into and impact upon radioactive waste disposal safety cases and associated performance assessments (PA)

Public Perceptions of Food Safety: Assessing the Risks Posed by Genetic Modification, Irradiation, Pesticides, Microbiological Contamination and High Fat/High Calorie Foods

[Excerpt] In general, people in the developed world have access to a safe and varied supply of food. Instead of systemic hunger, many developed countries have problems with obesity and other kinds of eating disorders among their citizenry. It is within this context that some find public concerns about the safety of food both paradoxical and misplaced. Nevertheless, understanding how people perceive the risk associated with food is an important exercise in demonstrating accountability and in setting priorities for regulation. With the advent of technologies for producing genetically modified foods, and the development of fat blockers like Olestra, the public is increasingly being asked to judge the social acceptability of various kinds of food modifications. In addition to interpreting the risks and benefits associated with these newer innovations, the public is also balancing the risks and benefits of more familiar food interventions. Not only must consumers of food assess the merits of genetic modification and food irradiation, they still must consider exposure to pesticide residues and microbiological contaminants like Salmonella, Listeria, Escherichia coli, and Campylobacter. Additionally, with high rates of cardiovascular disease and elevated concerns about developing diseases like diabetes, many people seriously consider the fat and sugar content of the foods they consume. This exploratory study examines how the public perceives food risks by employing a ranking exercise, a scale for assessing food safety practices, a scale for combining elements from the psychometric paradigm (e.g., voluntary exposure, perceived benefit, and perceived risk) across five potential food hazards, and demographic variables (sex, age, and level of education) most commonly linked to the perception of food risks