Using ultrafiltration to concentrate and detect Bacillus anthracis, Bacillus atrophaeus subspecies globigii, and Cryptosporidium parvum in 100-liter water samples

• Published in: Journal of microbiological methods Vol. 70; no. 3; pp. 484 - 492
• Main Authors: Lindquist, H.D. Alan, Harris, Stephanie, Lucas, Sasha, Hartzel, Margaret, Riner, Diana, Rochele, Paul, DeLeon, Ricardo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Shannon Elsevier B.V 01.09.2007; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Animals; Bacillus - isolation & purification; Bacillus anthracis; Bacillus anthracis - isolation & purification; Bacillus atrophaeus subspecies globigii; Bacteriological methods and techniques used in bacteriology; Bacteriology; Biological and medical sciences; Biological treatment of waters; Biotechnology; Cryptosporidium parvum; Cryptosporidium parvum - isolation & purification; Environment and pollution; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects; Microbiology; Sampling; Ultrafiltration; Ultrafiltration - instrumentation; Ultrafiltration - methods; Water; Water Microbiology; Water Supply - analysis; Water; Bacillus anthracis; Bacillus atrophaeus subspecies globigii; Ultrafiltration; Cryptosporidium parvum; Sampling; Protozoa; Apicomplexa; Sample; Samplings; Method; Bacillaceae; Bacillales; Water analysis; Bacteria; Concentrate; Detection
• ISSN: 0167-7012; 1872-8359
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2007.06.007

A strategy that uses ultrafiltration (UF) to concentrate microorganisms from water samples has been developed and tested. This strategy was tested using 100-liter water samples with volume reduction achieved through ultrafiltration and recycling the microorganisms of interest through a retentate vessel, rather than returning them to the sample container, where they might pose an incremental hazard to sample takers or the environment. Three protocols based on this strategy were tested. The first protocol entailed sample volume reduction and collection of the final reduced sample. The second and third protocols both incorporated pretreatment of the filter and fluid lines with a solution to prevent microorganisms from adhering. In the second protocol, the filter was back flushed with a surfactant solution to recover microorganisms. The third protocol used recirculation of a surfactant solution to recover microorganisms. Tests were undertaken using 100-liter water samples spiked with approximately 100 or 1000 microorganisms (1 or 10 per liter). Test microorganisms included Bacillus anthracis Sterne strain, Bacillus atrophaeus subsp. globigii, and Cryptosporidium parvum. The first protocol had significantly lower recovery than the other two. Back flushing resulted in higher recovery than forward flushing, but the difference was not statistically significant.