Detection of pathogenic bacteria in aqueous media: Assessing the potential of real-time electromagnetic wave sensing

This paper reports on the capabilities of a novel electromagnetic wave sensing method to detect and identify the presence of various pathogenic bacteria in aqueous media. In particular, the change in the electromagnetic wave signal in microwave frequency range is used as an indicator of bacteria presence. The assessment was conducted by recording reflected signal spectra when the sensor was in contact with deionised water, Escherichia coli, sterile nutrient broth and Pseudomonas aeruginosa solutions. The distinct feature of the proposed system is that the detection is performed in real time, without the need for additional sample processing or chemicals. This bacteria detection method would be of benefit in a broad range of applications, ranging from water quality monitoring in wastewater treatment facilities to safety assurance in healthcare and food industry

Tackling water pollution: real-time monitoring of residual Antimicrobials concentration in aquaculture with microwave spectroscopy

To prevent the improper use of antimicrobials in aquaculture and to assist the food safety law enforcement, this paper reports on a bespoke electromagnetic (EM) wave sensing method for real-time in situ monitoring of residual antimicrobials concentrations in water samples. The antimicrobials solutions were tested in bespoke microwave cavity. Transmitted and reflected power signals were analysed in GHz frequency range and these were dependent on both: the type of antimicrobials present in water and on their concentration

Monitoring Use Of Antibiotics In Aquaculture

In the aquaculture industry around the world antibiotics are used for fish disease prevention and treatment. High residual levels of those antibiotics may contaminate natural water resources as well as soil, aquatic animals and plants. Their overuse in human and animal populations can lead to the development of resistant microbial strains, posing a dire threat to global health. Use of antibiotics in aquaculture and its impact on the environment is a growing concern amongst scientists, yet quantifying the amount of use and how much is being disseminated into the environment is very difficult. As with the use of antibiotics in food production more generally, there is a need for better data. To prevent the improper use of antibiotics in aquaculture and to assist the food safety law enforcement, this paper reports on assessing the feasibility of a bespoke electromagnetic wave sensing method for real-time in situ monitoring of residual antibiotic concentrations in water samples. For the first time the antibiotics solutions were tested in contact with planar sensor with interdigitated electrode pattern on a number of substrates, including Rogers®, FR4 and flexible polyimide substrates. Specifically, this paper communicates the experimental results of using bespoke microwave planar type sensors for the determination of Quinolones, in particular Enrofloxacin (ENR) and Norfloxacin (NOR) antibiotic concentrations. Reflected power signals were analysed in GHz frequency range and these were dependent on both: the type of antibiotic present in water and on its concentration

Lipid droplet detection by the cavity perturbation method

There are currently no point-of-care diagnosis strategies available to indicate the presence of neoplasmic growth. This research aims to develop a novel diagnostic strategy based on detecting TAG accumulation in cells. This element of the research is a preliminary experiment to prove the concept of detecting TAG lipid droplets in YEPD media. It was found that a change in mono-unsaturated concentration can be detected by the frequency shift in a resonant cavity. The dielectric constant of TAG vegetable oils was calculated at 2.34-2.39. It was also found that concentrations of lipid droplet can be differentiated up to 5% (v/v)