Day 1 :
Keynote Forum
Jingrang Lu
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, USA
Keynote: qPCR and RT-qPCR of harmful cyanobacteria at Lake Harsha, Ohio, during summer
Time : 09:30-10:00
Biography:
Jingrang Lu is a Biologist at the US Environmental Protection Agency in Cincinnati, USA. His research work focuses on the molecular method developmentrnand detection of pathogenic bacteria in water using transcriptomic, metagenomic and genomic analysis and host animal model and to assess water quality andrnpathogenic risks. He holds a PhD in Microbial Ecology and MS in Zoology. He has over 60 peer reviewed publications to his credit. His main interests are to applyrnmolecular approaches to applied environmental microbiology and public health researches.
Abstract:
Cyanobacteria blooms have increased in recent years and are becoming a greater public concern due to their potentialrnecological and health impacts. Detection of toxic cyanobacteria using qPCR and RT-qPCR allows for the rapid identifi cationrnof blooms by combining specifi city and sensitivity with speed and high sample processing capability. Toxic cyanobacteria fromrnthe water samples of fi ve sites in Lake Harsha, which is used for local recreational activities and as a source of drinking water,rnwere detected using a panel of qPCR assays for most of toxin-producers (HEP and CD1) or only toxic Microcystis spp. (mcyGrnand mcyA-MS) targeting the toxin-producing genes of mcyA, mcyE, ndaF and mcyG. Overall performance of the four assaysrnwere highly correlated with each other for DNA along weekly and daily samples, indicating similar level of copy numbers andrnamplifi cation effi ciency of the targeted genes. Th e quantity of total toxic cyanobacteria reached >108 cell L-1 in early June andrnremained at high density until the end of July. During this period, the signals of qPCR between HEP and mcyG or mcyAMSrnwere in agreement and demonstrated that Microcystis spp. dominated the toxin producers. Before this period, the lowerrnamount of toxic cyanobacteria refl ected by HEP and CD1, were non- Microcystis spp., while aft er this period approximatelyrnonly half of Microcystis spp. accounted for the total toxin producers. RT-qPCR results showed the same trend as qPCR but withrnhigher variations in assays for Microcystis spp., indicating potential toxins were produced mainly by Microcystis spp. Generallyrnmuch lower signals of qPCR and RT-qPCR were detected from deep water than surface water suggesting that the majority ofrntoxins were generated from surface water. Further analysis will be performed with microscopic and physiochemical data andrntoxin measurement to determine future development of molecular tools and its application to monitoring toxic cyanobacteria.
- Drinking Water Microbiology
Waste Water Treatment
Water Related infections
Chair
Jingrang Lu
Environmental Protection Agency, USA
Co-Chair
Claudia Gallert
University of Applied Science Emden Leer, Germany
Session Introduction
Claudia Gallert
University of Applied Science Emden Leer, Germany
Title: Elimination of micro-pollutants and pathogenic (antibiotic resistant) bacteria by advanced waste water treatment technologies
Biography:
Claudia Gallert is an Environmental Microbiologist with research experience of 25 years in the fi eld of waste water and waste treatment, soil remediation and biotechnological production of value-added products. She has published more than 50 papers in peer-reviewed journals and she is also a member of different professional groups.
Abstract:
Elimination of bacteria by ozonation in combination with adsorption onto activated carbon or slow sand fi ltration is a possibility for advanced sewage treatment in order to improve the quality of treated sewage and to reduce the potential risk for human health and of receiving surface waters. To determine the elimination of sewage bacteria, infl owing and leaving waste water of diff erent treatment processes was analyzed in a culture-based and qPCR approach for its content of Escherichia coli, Enterococci and staphylococci and their resistance against selected antibiotics over a period of 17 months. For Enterococci, single species and their antibiotic resistances were identifi ed. In comparison to the standard waste water treatment process, ozonation plus adsorption onto activated carbon and/or sand fi ltration reduced the concentrations of total and antibiotic resistant E. coli, Enterococci and staphylococci. However, antibiotic resistant E. coli and staphylococci apparently survived ozone treatment better than antibiotic sensitive strains. Neither vancomycin resistant Enterococci nor methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were detected by a culture-based approach. Th e decreased percentage of antibiotic resistant Enterococci aft er ozonation may be explained by a diff erent ozone sensitivity of species: Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis, which determined the resistance-level, seemed to be more sensitive for ozone than other Enterococcus species. Overall, ozonation followed by adsorption onto activated carbon or sand fi ltration led to 0.8-1.1 log-units less total and antibiotic resistant E. coli, Enterococci and staphylococci. Th us, advanced waste water treatment aft er common sewage treatment is an eff ective tool for further elimination of microorganisms from sewage before discharge in surface water.
Claudia Gallert
University of Applied Science Emden Leer, Germany
Title: Elimination of micro-pollutants and pathogenic (antibiotic resistant) bacteria by advanced waste water treatment technologies
Time : 10:00-10:25
Biography:
Claudia Gallert is an Environmental Microbiologist with research experience of 25 years in the fi eld of waste water and waste treatment, soil remediation and biotechnological production of value-added products. She has published more than 50 papers in peer-reviewed journals and she is also a member of different professional groups.
Abstract:
Elimination of bacteria by ozonation in combination with adsorption onto activated carbon or slow sand fi ltration is a possibility for advanced sewage treatment in order to improve the quality of treated sewage and to reduce the potential risk for human health and of receiving surface waters. To determine the elimination of sewage bacteria, infl owing and leaving waste water of diff erent treatment processes was analyzed in a culture-based and qPCR approach for its content of Escherichia coli, Enterococci and staphylococci and their resistance against selected antibiotics over a period of 17 months. For Enterococci, single species and their antibiotic resistances were identifi ed. In comparison to the standard waste water treatment process, ozonation plus adsorption onto activated carbon and/or sand fi ltration reduced the concentrations of total and antibiotic resistant E. coli, Enterococci and staphylococci. However, antibiotic resistant E. coli and staphylococci apparently survived ozone treatment better than antibiotic sensitive strains. Neither vancomycin resistant Enterococci nor methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were detected by a culture-based approach. Th e decreased percentage of antibiotic resistant Enterococci aft er ozonation may be explained by a diff erent ozone sensitivity of species: Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis, which determined the resistance-level, seemed to be more sensitive for ozone than other Enterococcus species. Overall, ozonation followed by adsorption onto activated carbon or sand fi ltration led to 0.8-1.1 log-units less total and antibiotic resistant E. coli, Enterococci and staphylococci. Th us, advanced waste water treatment aft er common sewage treatment is an eff ective tool for further elimination of microorganisms from sewage before discharge in surface water.
Biography:
Prof. Malka Halpern is is an Environmental Microbiologist at the University of Haifa. She has completed her PhD from Haifa University, Israel and her postdoctoral studies from Tel-Aviv University, Israel. Her main interests are the ecology of waterborne pathogens and in particular Vibrio cholerae, Aeromonas and Legionella, Plant-bacteria interactions and Bacterial taxonomy. She has published more than 49 papers in reputed journals.
Abstract:
Bacteria of the genus Legionella cause water-based infections, resulting in severe pneumonia. Our aim was to improve our knowledge regarding Legionella ecology in drinking water systemes in Israel. Seasonal samples were taken from water and biofilm at seven sampling points of a small drinking water distribution system. Legionella pneumophila (Lp) was isolated and identified to its genotype level. High resolution genotyping of Lp isolates was achieved by Multiple-Locus Variable number of tandem repeat Analysis (MLVA). Within the studied water system, Legionella plate counts were significantly higher in summer. Legionella was isolated from six out of the seven selected sampling points, with counts up to 5.8*103 cfu/l. Lp counts were negatively correlated with chlorine. Five Lp MLVA-genotypes (Gt4, GT6, GT15, GT17 and GT48) were identified at different buildings along the water systeme route. The presence of a specific genotype, GT4, consistently co-occurred with high Legionella counts and seemed to “trigger†high Legionella counts in cold water. In laboratory experiments GT4 isolates exhibited superior growth abilities at 37°C-42°C, with shorter lag-phase (λ), higher growth rates (µm) and maximal cell densities (A), compared to 25°C-30°C, and also compared to genotypes GT6 and GT15 at the same tempertaures. GT4 strains were observed as causative agents of Legionnaire's disease. Our hypothesis is that the presence of specific genotypes, may indicate high Legionella concentration in water and that adaptation for growth at human body temperatures may assist some Lp strains to successfully infect and proliferate within the human body, thus facilitating their ability to cause illness.
Yuanyuan Qiu
University of Alberta, Canada
Title: Assessment of Human Viruses in Municipal Wastewater in Calgary, Canada
Biography:
Judy Yuanyuan Qiu is Postdoctoral Fellow at Provincial Laboratory for Public Health in University Of Alberta. Earlier She is Postdoctoral Fellow Canadian Blood Services, her expertise is Molecular Biology, Cell Biology ,Genetics ,Biochemistry ,Immunology, Cancer Biology ,Cell Culture and PCR
Abstract:
Water shortage is an increasing problem worldwide. Effective treatment of wastewater for reuse has attracted interests for public and scientific community. Currently, most of the studies related to the quality of reclaimed wastewater focus on the bacteriological indicators, such as E.coli and total coliform. There is limited data of human viruses in wastewater. In fact, human enteric viruses are present at high levels in wastewater, which poses a potential risk to public health and hinders application of reuse. The objective of this study is to assess the effect of UV treatment on the virus removal at two municipal wastewater treatment plants in Calgary, Canada. Ten liters of pre- and post-UV treatment wastewater samples were collected in duplicate monthly for 12 months. Viruses were concentrated by filtration, elution, and flocculation followed by nucleic acid extraction. A real-time quantitative PCR viral panel was used for detection and quantification of eight viruses including norovirus (NoV), rotavirus (RV), sapovirus (SaV), astrovirus (AsV), adenovirus (AdV), enterovirus (EV), JC virus (JCV) and reovirus (ReoV). Viral infectivity was assessed using both cell culture and integrated cell culture and qPCR (ICC-qPCR). NoV, RV, AsV and AdV were detected in all 24, EV and JCV in 23, and SaV in 22 of pre-UV samples, respectively. The mean viral load (except ReoV) ranged from 3.06 (JCV) to 5.77 (RV) log10 DNA copies/L in pre-UV samples and 3.23 (JCV) to 5.68 (RV) log10 DNA copies/L in post-UV samples. The average virus removal by UV treatment ranged from -0.42 (JCV) to 0.52 (NoV) log as assessed by qPCR, which may be due to the sample variation and the limitation of qPCR in detection of live viruses. Further studies on developing a qPCR method to differentiate the infectious and non-infectious viruses are of interests. Cell culture and ICC-qPCR detected infectious viruses in all 24 pre-UV, and 19 out of 24 post-UV samples. Approximately 1.8 log reduction of infectious viruses could be achieved by current industrial standard UV treatment. The results indicate a moderate effect of UV treatment on virus inactivation in municipal wastewater, which urges further studies to increase the understanding of the effect of UV treatment on human viruses in wastewater to improve the wastewater reuse and public safety as treated wastewater is discharged into river and could become source water for downstream users.
Luz E de-Bashan
The Bashan Institute of Science, USA
Title: Creation of synthetic mutualism to improve understanding of the relationships between microalgae and bacteria in fresh water
Biography:
Luz E de-Bashan is the Vice-President of The Bashan Institute of Science, Alabama, USA and an Associate Professor at CIBNOR in Mexico. She has received her PhD from Laval University in Canada and Postdoctoral studies at the University of Arizona. She has published 113 scientifi c works, of which 58 were published in peer-review journals with high impact factors. She also serves as an Editorial Board Member of 3 scientifi c journals, ad hoc Reviewer of an additional 44 scientifi c journals in 12 countries and 4 funding agencies. Her studies were cited over 5700 times and her H-index is 34.
Abstract:
A simple, quantitative synthetic mutualism model, off ering a convenient and basic approach to studies of plant-bacterium interactions was developed and tested. Th is model involves immobilizing a unicellular, freshwater microalga, a species of Chlorella that serves as the plant and a plant growth-promoting bacterium (PGPB), a strain of a species of Azospirillum of agricultural origin. Th e two micro-organisms are immobilized together in small alginate beads to allow close initial interaction and avoid external interference from bacterial contaminants. Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) that is produced by the bacteria has demonstrated its role in enhancing growth rates and population size of the microalga. Th e microalgae produce and exude tryptophan and thiamine, which are the precursors of IAA formation. Carbon and nitrogen molecules are exchanged between the two partners in this synthetic mutualism. Th is close interaction positively aff ects nitrogen, phosphorus, carbohydrates, lipids and photosynthesis metabolisms. All these signifi cant metabolic changes during co-immobilization of the two micro-organisms are interlinked and off er several biotechnological applications. Th ese include waste water treatment, carbohydrate and lipid production, photosynthetic pigments and food for human and animals. Th is synthetic mutualism model is also a simple and easy way to study fundamental physiological and molecular studies.
Adelaide Almeida
University of Aveiro, Portugal
Title: Photodynamic inactivation of microorganisms in waste water: An effective approach with low environmental impact
Biography:
Adelaide Almeida is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Biology in the University of Aveiro, Portugal, where she has obtained her PhD degree in 2001. She is an integrated Member of the Associated Laboratory Centre for Environmental and Marine Sciences (CESAM). In the last years, she has been involved in the development and application of alternative methods to the use of antibiotics, such as photodynamic therapy and phage therapy.
Abstract:
Waste water (WW) with a high content of pathogens, containing even multidrug resistant microorganisms, particularly when hospital effl uents are included, is a current area of concern aff ecting the quality of natural water. Hospital WW effl uents are discharged as conventional urban effl uents to the municipal sewage system without prior treatment. Secondary treatment of WW is usually considered suffi cient; however, the secondary effl uent still contains infective concentrations of microorganisms (MO). In order to reduce the concentration of pathogens in WW to levels comparable to those found in natural water, the tertiary effl uent is usually subjected to disinfection with chlorine, ozone or ultraviolet light (UV). Chlorination and UV may lead to the formation of toxic products and also might result to the selection of resistant genes. Th e antimicrobial photodynamic inactivation (PDI) may represent an alternative to the traditional expensive, unsafe and not always eff ective disinfection methods. PDI with photosensitizers (PS) and visible light has demonstrated to be eff ective in the destruction of MO via photogeneration of reactive oxygen species (ROS) able to induce microbial inactivation. As PDI is a multi-target approach, the selection of photo-resistant strains aft er treatment is unlikely. Th e main goal of this work was to assess the effi ciency of PDI on non-clinical and on clinical multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria in domestic and hospital waste water in order to evaluate its potential use to treat WW effl uents. Th e effi ciency of PDI was assessed using a cationic porphyrin as photosensitizer (PS), non-clinical bacteria and clinical MDR-bacteria either in phosphate buff ered saline or in fi ltrated domestic and hospital waste water. Th e synergistic eff ect of PDI and antibiotics (ampicillin and chloramphenicol) was also evaluated. Th e results show an effi cient inactivation of non-clinical and MDR bacteria in PBS (reduction of 6-8 log aft er 270 min). In waste water, the inactivation of bacteria was also effi cient and the decrease in bacterial survival starts even sooner. A faster decrease in bacterial survival occurred when PDI was combined with the addition of antibiotics. It can be concluded that PDI has potential to be an eff ective alternative for the inactivation of bacteria, even MDR; in waste waters and that the presence of antibiotics in hospital WW may enhance its eff ectiveness.
Arun K. Bhunia
Purdue University, USA
Title: Laser Optical Sensor for Rapid On-Plate Screening of Water and Food-borne Pathogens
Biography:
Prof. Bhunia has received his PhD from University of Wyoming and postdoctoral training from University of Arkansas. Currently, he is professor of food microbiology at Purdue University and the Chair of Microbiology Training Group of Purdue University interdisciplinary Life Sciences program (PULSe). His expertise is in the area of foodborne pathogen detection, pathogenesis, and probiotic vaccine. He has published 154 research articles, 2 text books (Fundamental Food Microbiology; Foodborne Microbial Pathogens), 3 edited books, and delivered over 115 talks in national and international venues. He holds 3 patents, and has received Purdue Agriculture Research Award, Purdue Faculty Scholar, Purdue Team Award, IFT R&D Award, Outstanding Graduate Educator Award, and the recipient of High-End Foreign Experts Recruitment Program (China) fellowship. He is also a member of the USDA National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF).
Abstract:
Rapid pathogen testing tools are in high demand. A novel, label-free on-plate colony screening tool employing light scattering technology, called BARDOT (bacterial rapid detection using optical scattering technology) for pathogens from water, food, clinical specimens and environmental samples is described. When a red diode laser (635 nm) is illuminated in the center of a bacterial colony, it generates unique scatter signature for each phylogeny. BARDOT was used for detection and identification of Vibrio spp., Salmonella spp, Shiga-toxin producing Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria, and Bacillus spp. using scatter image libraries. It was also used sucessfully for detection and identification of Enterobactericiae and coliforms from food and water samples. The colonies are further confirmed by PCR or genome sequencing, thus BARDOT could serve as a pre-screening tool for molecular analysis of pathogens from food and water.
Han Sup Uhm
Kwangwoon University, South Korea
Title: Oracle Water, the Safeguard of Humankind against Viruses and Germs
Biography:
Han S. Uhm has completed his PhD from University of Maryland, Senior Research Associate in University of Maryland, Executive Research Scientist in US Naval Surface Warfare Center, Professor in Ajou University, South Korea, Director of Plasma Technology, Institute of Advanced Engineering, South Korea, Chair professor in Kwangwoon University, South Korea and Lifetime Member of Korean Academy of Science and Technology. He has published more than 460 SCI papers and registered more than 90 patent registrations in US, Korea and other countries.
Abstract:
The oracle water is the safeguard of humankind against biological and chemical warfare agents, protecting livestock against germs and viruses, and protecting the marine environment by preventing ship-board pollution during trans-ocean voyages. Particularly, this water provides the perfect and complete sterilization of the most deadly biological agents, Anthrax. In other words, this water is the only efficient means for complete sterilization of anthrax spores, stockpiles of which are not safely regulated by many world governments, thereby potentially posing a serious danger to mankind. In addition to anthrax spores, this water is also applicable to and capable of eradicating many different types of deadly microbes such as H1N1, MERS, Ebola, Foot and Mouth Disease in pigs and cows. As far as the protection of the marine environment is concerned, this water the only solution in the world, that completely sterilizes the ballast water of ships, including phyto- and zoo-plankton as well as bacteria spores. Existing systems currently being used have a limited capability of treating phyto-plankton only. The ways to make oracle water will be presented and the eradication data of microbes by this water will also be presented in detail.
Josef Winter
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany
Title: Microbiology in arsenate and selenate containing groundwater
Biography:
Josef Winter is an Environmental Microbiologist with research experience of more than 25 years in the fi eld of waste water and waste treatment, soil remediation and biotechnological production of value-added products. He has published more than 100 articles in peer-reviewed journals and is a member of different professional groups.
Abstract:
Groundwater of Punjab/Haryana in Northern India and of the Bengal delta in Southern India exceeds by far the WHO guidelines for Se and As, respectively. Se-containing groundwater is used for irrigation since about 30 years and due to crop rotation from wheat to rice instead of corn much more irrigation water is required and thus Se enriches in top soil. Se seems to adsorb to humic substances since Se concentrations decrease with depth. High Se-concentrations lead to irregular, patchy plant growth and fruit are poisonous to humans, causing lethal skin lesions called selenosis over the years. Selenite and selenate reducing bacteria in top soil convert water soluble Se into insoluble Se nanoparticles if enough bio-available DOC is supplied. Duganella and Arthrobacter species were isolated from soil of Punjab. Th ese soil bacteria form pure Se nanoparticles if grown in pure culture that can easily be isolated and applied in biotechnology and medicine. Geogenic arsenic of the Himalaya is eroded and transported with river water. With soil particles it sediments over decades in the Bengal delta in Southern India. Due to low solubility of arsenate in pure, oxygencontaining groundwater toxic arsenic concentrations in water from deep wells are below health-aff ecting concentrations. However, if groundwater from less deep wells is polluted by soluble DOC, oxygen is used up rapidly and bacteria such as Pseudomonas species respire or reduce arsenate to water-soluble arsenite, which is similar toxic as senenate if the water is consumed by animals or humans, causing arsenicosis. Solubilization of arsenate was shown in a large fi eld experiment. Pseudomonas sp. was isolated and rapid selenite production from selenate occurred during growth.
Thomas Jensen
Technical University of Denmark, Ballerup Campus, Denmark
Title: Future wastewater solutions: removal of pharmaceuticals in conventional wastewater treatment plants
Biography:
Thomas Jensen’, age 37, background gives strong foundation for raising projects with complex issues both in the design phase and during exportation. For many years engaged in the energy and process optimization in the utilities sector (water supply and waste water) and teaching at Universities, which gained a broad knowledge of project planning, project management, financial management, creating collaborations, supervision etc. In addition, experience from the design of electrical and control systems for wastewater treatment plants and sewage systems. Thomas Jensen worked in several international environments that have enhanced the understanding of work across language and cultural boundaries.
Abstract:
Residues of pharmaceuticals, personal care products and industrial chemicals find their way into the environment mainly through incomplete removal in the conventional urban wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and appear as micro-pollutants at pg L-1 to µg L-1 concentrations. WWTPs were designed to remove macro-pollutants (BOD, N, P), and therefore remove micro-pollutants only to some extent. Efficient removal of micro-pollutants appears presently as one of main challenges for the WWTPs in Denmark as well worldwide. Several hospitals in Denmark are currently facing the strict regulation with regards to discharge of pharmaceuticals in wastewater effluents. Nonetheless, the challenge of the growing number of ambulant treatments and increasing consumption of pharmaceuticals at home has not been addressed so far. Already now more than 95% of pharmaceutical consumption happens at home. Moreover, the database entries with emission sources reports that WWTPs are the dominant emission pathway of pharmaceuticals into the aquatic environment, while hospitals are listed as the second most frequently listed emission source. In this view, the regulation for the largest hospitals in Denmark may be perceived as a first step towards reduction of micro-pollutants in the aquatic environment, while introduction of a new regulation for the WWTPs will follow as a second step. In cooperation with Danish water utility Fors A/S, Aarhus University, Department of Environmental Science and Technical University of Denmark an innovation project have been setup to test and analyses for micro-pollutants within two WWTP. Fors A/S provides effluent samples from their two biggest WWTPs, while Aarhus University performs the analyses of micro-pollutants in the effluents by means of advanced analytical techniques. The analyses target approximately 26 micro-pollutants, including common antibiotics, pain killers, antidepressants, contrast media and blood pressure pharmaceuticals. We compared the measured concentrations in the effluents with the current emission limits required for the hospitals, and assessed the necessity of implementing further actions to improve removal of micro-pollutants at these two WWTPs.
Thomas Jensen
Technical University of Denmark, Denmark
Title: Future wastewater solutions: removal of pharmaceuticals in conventional wastewater treatment plants
Biography:
Thomas Jensen’, age 37, background gives strong foundation for raising projects with complex issues both in the design phase and during exportation. For many years engaged in the energy and process optimization in the utilities sector (water supply and waste water) and teaching at Universities, which gained a broad knowledge of project planning, project management, financial management, creating collaborations, supervision etc. In addition, experience from the design of electrical and control systems for wastewater treatment plants and sewage systems. Thomas Jensen worked in several international environments that have enhanced the understanding of work across language and cultural boundaries.
Abstract:
Residues of pharmaceuticals, personal care products and industrial chemicals find their way into the environment mainly through incomplete removal in the conventional urban wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and appear as micro-pollutants at pg L-1 to µg L-1 concentrations. WWTPs were designed to remove macro-pollutants (BOD, N, P), and therefore remove micro-pollutants only to some extent. Efficient removal of micro-pollutants appears presently as one of main challenges for the WWTPs in Denmark as well worldwide. Several hospitals in Denmark are currently facing the strict regulation with regards to discharge of pharmaceuticals in wastewater effluents. Nonetheless, the challenge of the growing number of ambulant treatments and increasing consumption of pharmaceuticals at home has not been addressed so far. Already now more than 95% of pharmaceutical consumption happens at home. Moreover, the database entries with emission sources reports that WWTPs are the dominant emission pathway of pharmaceuticals into the aquatic environment, while hospitals are listed as the second most frequently listed emission source. In this view, the regulation for the largest hospitals in Denmark may be perceived as a first step towards reduction of micro-pollutants in the aquatic environment, while introduction of a new regulation for the WWTPs will follow as a second step. In cooperation with Danish water utility Fors A/S, Aarhus University, Department of Environmental Science and Technical University of Denmark an innovation project have been setup to test and analyses for micro-pollutants within two WWTP. Fors A/S provides effluent samples from their two biggest WWTPs, while Aarhus University performs the analyses of micro-pollutants in the effluents by means of advanced analytical techniques. The analyses target approximately 26 micro-pollutants, including common antibiotics, pain killers, antidepressants, contrast media and blood pressure pharmaceuticals. We compared the measured concentrations in the effluents with the current emission limits required for the hospitals, and assessed the necessity of implementing further actions to improve removal of micro-pollutants at these two WWTPs.
Lourdes Rodriguez-Chianga
Aalto University, School of Chemical Technology, Espoo, Finland
Title: Methane potential of acetate-rich wastewater and the effect of lignin presence
Biography:
Lourdes received a double degree M.Sc. in Chemical Technology from KTH, Sweden and University of Bologna. Her previous experiences involve environmental consultancy and managing operation of wastewater treatment plants. She is a PhD candidate under the SELECT+ Erasmus Mundus Joint Doctoral Programme. Her reasearch at Aalto University in Finland and UPC in Spain focuses on assessing and improving the methane yield in biogas from the anaerobic digestion of pulping effluents in order to increase energy recovery and reduce waste
Abstract:
The pulp and paper industry is an energy and water intensive industry. It generates an average of 13 to 30 m³ of water per ton of produced paper. Usually these effluents are collected together and treated in an activated sludge plant, overlooking its potential energy recovery. The aim of this study is to assess the methane potential of the codigestion of two streams of a pulp mill and moreover evaluate the effects after hydrotalcite (double layered hydroxides) addition. Substrate A was condensate effluent originating from the evaporators; this effluent is characterized by having low volatile solids (VS) but high acetic acid content providing readily degradable material for methane production. Substrate B was effluent from the fiber channel circulation, characterized by high Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and lignin content. Different mixtures of both substrates were evaluated simulating the current volume conditions of the mill. Measuresments were taken following the Biochemical Methane Potential (BMP) test procedure. Results demonstrated an exponential decay in methane production when the fraction of lignin was increased. However the lowest methane yield observed (539 mL CH4/gVS) is still above the average yield of common pulping effluents found in the literature. Lignin presence has a detrimental effect on the methane production resulting in a 52% decrease in production when the fraction of lignin in increased by 1.2%. The addition of Fe-Zn-Mg-Al hydrotalcite (HT) presented a positive effect on methane potential increasing production up to 16% as well as higher COD reductions and faster production rate.
Krithika Ramchander
Massachussets Institute of Technology, MA, USA
Title: Dry Preservation of Xylem Water Filters for Point-of-Use Filtration of Microbes from Drinking Water
Biography:
Krithika Ramchander completed her Bachelors from the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, India in 2013. She is currently a Masters student in the Mechanical Engineering Department at Massachussets Institute of Technology and a fellow with the Tata Center for Technology and Design. Before coming to MIt, she worked with Shell for an year on the deisgn and inspection of heat transfer equipemnt such as heat exchangers, furnaces etc.
Abstract:
Studies suggest that the relatively high cost of point-of-use water filters is one of the main barriers that prevent their adoption in poor communities. The recently demonstrated ability of sapconducting xylem tissue in the sapwood of coniferous trees to filter out bacteria from water opens the possibility of realizing inexpensive, locally-manufacturable, and disposable point-of-use water purification devices. However, a major challenge associated with the use of xylem for water filtration is the drop in permeability and deterioration in rejection ability due to the structural changes induced during drying. We investigated the drying process in xylem tissue of Eastern White Pine and explored the effects of drying conditions, geometry of the filter, and solvent on drying. Through this investigation, we have developed methods to preserve the structural integrity of the xylem and minimize the negative impacts on filtration characteristics due to drying, which address the critical issue of transportation and shelf-life of these filters. Further, we find that the permeability after drying is a strong function of filter length, which enables understanding of tradeoffs in the filtration device design to achieve an optimal balance between flow rate and rejection ability. Building upon these advances, we have demonstrated gravity-driven filtration through xylem filters and conducted preliminary investigations of fouling and filter lifetime. These results demonstrate a step towards realization of cost-effective point-of-use xylem water filters for removal of pathogens from drinking water.
Oscar Orlando Ortiz-Rodriguez
University of Pamplona, Colombia
Title: Using life cycle assessment as a tool for potable water treatment plants (U-LCA-PWTPs)
Biography:
Oscar Orlando Ortiz-Rodriguez has completed his PhD from Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Spain and Master of Engineering Management from QUT, Brisbane, Australia. He is a full Professor at University of Pamplona and the Director of the research group Nanoscience and Sustainable development at the same university. He has published more than 10 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as a Member of the Colombian Red of Life Cycle Assessment.
Abstract:
Currently, there is great concern about those processes which directly or indirectly contribute to climate change and other environmental impacts. In this context, and provided that water treated constitutes a basic public utility delivered in urban centers around the world and in some rural areas, the impact of its emissions on the environment has been considered to be of great interest. Hence, the current research applied the environmental methodology of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to evaluate the environmental loads of four potable water treatment plants (PWTPs) located in northeastern Colombia following international guidelines of ISO 14040. Th e diff erent stages of the purifi cation process, from the catchment point through pumping to the distribution network were thoroughly assessed. Th e functional unit was defi ned as 1 m3 of water treated. Th e results allowed determining that in plants 1 and 2, the fl occulation process has the highest environmental load, which is mostly attributable to the coagulant agent with a range between 47-73% of the total impact. In plants 3 and 4, electric power consumption was identifi ed as the greatest impact source with percentages ranging from 67 to 85%. By concluding, treatment processes and techniques, bioclimatic conditions and culturally driven consumption behavior vary from region to region. Furthermore, changes in treatment processes and techniques are likely to aff ect the environment during all stages of a plant’s operation cycle.
Biography:
Chang Qing Sun has received his PhD degree at Murdoch University in 1997 in Surface Physics and then joined Nanyang Technological University. He has been working on the “Relaxation of the Chemical Bond†involved in skin chemisorption, quantum size effect, multifi eld solid mechanics and water myths. He has published over 330 journal articles, including a number of themed reports in Chem Rev, Prog Mater Sci, Surf Sci Rep, etc.
Abstract:
As the source and central part of all lives, water is most abundant yet least known. Th is talk shares the recent progress: Correlation of the length scale, structure order and mass density of molecular packing in water ice, potential paths for O:H-O bond at relaxation and anomalies of water ice under compression, molecular under-coordination and thermal excitation. Hydrogen bond (O:H-O) possesses memory and extreme deformation recoverability, which resolves mysteries of density of ice, slipperiness of ice, Mpemba paradox: Hot water freezes faster, Hofmeister eff ect: Aqueous ions modulate solution’s surface tension and its ability of dissolving proteins and Regelation: Ice melts under compression and freezes again when the pressure is relieved. Understanding may extend to fi elds such as water-biomolecular interaction, water purifi cation, energy management, etc.
Thiemo Dunkel
University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany
Title: Towards a specific controlling strategy to prevent filamentous bulking and foaming considered as the last major unsolved problem in operation of activated sludge systems
Biography:
Thiemo Dunkel studied chemical engineering (B. Eng. / M. Eng.) at the Niederrhein university of applied sciences from 2006 to 2012. In 2010 he started working as a project engineer in the petrochemical company INEOS in Cologne managing projects in the WWTP on site. In 2012 he started in parallel with his phd at the university of Duibsurg-Essen. He has published 2 papers in reputed journals in 2015. Moreover he contributed with poster presentations in the Activated Sludge 100 Years Conference 2014 in Essen, the LET Conference in Hong Kong 2015 and the FEMS Congress in Maastricht 2015.
Abstract:
The succesful operation of activated sludge (AS) processes is ultimatively depending on a sufficient separation of activated sludge from treated water in secondary clarifiers to guarantee a high effluent quality. However, most AS plants suffer from disturbances in the sludge settling process mainly referred to filamentous bulking and foaming which are described as the last major unsolved problem in the operation of AS systems (Soddell and Seviour, 1990). Poor settling biomass may lead to low effluent quality, increased economic costs and potential environmental impacts. Up to now, no reliable specific controlling method to prevent filamentous bulking and foaming exists. Our recent research is focused on the development of a specific controlling strategy to avoid filamentous overgrowth. Alongside fluorescence in situ hybridisation and next generation sequencing were used for the identification of dominant filamentous bulking and foaming bacteria (BFB) in AS systems showing increased abundances of M. parvicella, Gordonia and Chryseobacteria known to cause filamentous foaming. The combination of real-time polymerase chain reaction for the quantification of these BFB and multidimensional gaschromatography for the analysis of wastewater composition revealed a highly singificant linear relationship between long chain fatty acid (LCFA) loadings and the growth of dominant BFB. Based on these findings a specific controlling strategy was developed with regard to the removal of LCFAs from wastewater influents to inhibit the overgrowth of BFB. This controlling strategy was succesfully validated in a pilot-scale trial in an industrial WWTP (Germany).
Luz E de-Bashan
The Bashan Institute of Science, USA
Title: Creation of synthetic mutualism to improve understanding of the relationships between microalgae and bacteria in fresh water
Biography:
Luz E de-Bashan is the Vice-President of The Bashan Institute of Science, Alabama, USA and an Associate Professor at CIBNOR in Mexico. She has received her PhD from Laval University in Canada and Postdoctoral studies at the University of Arizona. She has published 113 scientifi c works, of which 58 were published in peer-review journals with high impact factors. She also serves as an Editorial Board Member of 3 scientifi c journals, ad hoc Reviewer of an additional 44 scientifi c journals in 12 countries and 4 funding agencies. Her studies were cited over 5700 times and her H-index is 34.
Abstract:
A simple, quantitative synthetic mutualism model, off ering a convenient and basic approach to studies of plant-bacterium interactions was developed and tested. Th is model involves immobilizing a unicellular, freshwater microalga, a species of Chlorella that serves as the plant and a plant growth-promoting bacterium (PGPB), a strain of a species of Azospirillum of agricultural origin. Th e two micro-organisms are immobilized together in small alginate beads to allow close initial interaction and avoid external interference from bacterial contaminants. Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) that is produced by the bacteria has demonstrated its role in enhancing growth rates and population size of the microalga. Th e microalgae produce and exude tryptophan and thiamine, which are the precursors of IAA formation. Carbon and nitrogen molecules are exchanged between the two partners in this synthetic mutualism. Th is close interaction positively aff ects nitrogen, phosphorus, carbohydrates, lipids and photosynthesis metabolisms. All these signifi cant metabolic changes during co-immobilization of the two micro-organisms are interlinked and off er several biotechnological applications. Th ese include waste water treatment, carbohydrate and lipid production, photosynthetic pigments and food for human and animals. Th is synthetic mutualism model is also a simple and easy way to study fundamental physiological and molecular studies.
Jingrang Lu
US Environmental Protection Agency, USA
Title: qPCR and RT-qPCR of Harmful Cyanobacteria at Lake Harsha, OH, during Summer
Biography:
Jingrang Lu is a biologist with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Cincinnati, Ohio. His research work focuses on the molecular method development and detection of pathogenic bacteria in water, using transcriptomic, metagenomic and genomic analysis and host animal model, and to assess water quality and pathogenic risks. He holds a PhD in microbial ecology and a MS in zoology. He has over 60 peer reviewed publications. His main interests are to apply molecular approaches to applied environmental microbiology and public health researches.
Abstract:
Cyanobacteria blooms have increased in recent years and are becoming a greater public concern due to their potential ecological and health impacts. Detection of toxic cyanobacteria using qPCR and RT-qPCR allows for the rapid identification of blooms by combining specificity and sensitivity with speed and high sample processing capability. Toxic cyanobacteria from the water samples of five sites in Lake Harsha, which is used for local recreational activities and as a source of drinking water, were detected using a panel of qPCR assays for most of toxin-producers (HEP and CD1) or only toxic Microcystis spp. (mcyG and mcyA-MS) targeting the toxin-producing genes of mcyA, mcyE, ndaF and mcyG. Overall performance of the four assays were highly correlated with each other for DNA along weekly and daily samples, indicating similar level of copy numbers and amplification efficiency of the targeted genes. The quantity of total toxic cyanobacteria reached >108 cell L-1 in early June and remained at high density until the end of July. During this period, the signals of qPCR between HEP and mcyG or mcyA-MS were in agreement, and demonstrated that Microcystis spp. dominated the toxin producers. Before this period, the lower amount of toxic cyanobacteria reflected by HEP and CD1 were non- Microcystis spp., while after this period approximately only half of Microcystis spp. accounted for the total toxin producers. RT-qPCR results showed the same trend as qPCR, but with higher variations in assays for Microcystis spp., indicating potential toxins were produced mainly by Microcystis spp. Generally much lower signals of qPCR and RT-qPCR were detected from deep water than surface water suggesting that the majority of toxins were generated from surface water. Further analysis will be performed with microscopic and physiochemical data and toxin measurement to determine future development of molecular tools and its application to monitoring toxic cyanobacteria.
Mazen Saleh
Laurentian University, Ontario
Title: Towards in-line monitoring of coliforms in potable and recreational water
Biography:
Dr. Saleh received the Ph.D. degree from the University of Toronto in 1997. Working at the Department of medical biophysics his work concerned the interaction of bacterial toxins and membranes. Prior to joining the Department of Biology at Laurentian University, Dr. saleh spent time as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) and Colorado State University. Dr. Saleh is currently the Chairperson for the Department of Biology at Laurentian University.
Abstract:
Coliforms remain to be a valuable indicator of fecal contamination of surface water. Communities counting on surface water as a source of drinking or potable water depend on the regular monitoring of the source water for the presence of potential pathogenic microorganisms. The same applies to recreational water as it also becomes a public health concern. There have been several developments in sensor technologies and testing methods during the past decade, including DNA-based tests, but the classical enzyme-based methods are robust and remain to be one of the best methods. Current testing in some communities still involves the regular manual collection of water samples for analysis of coliform presence in the laboratory. The availability of a small footprint benchtop unit that can do this testing can potentially pave the way to develop autonomous systems to perform and report real time on these tests or using in-line system integration.
Anthony I Okoh
SAMRC Microbial Water Quality Monitoring Centre, University of Fort Hare
Title: Important challenges in water quality and the need for new approaches
Biography:
He started his research career as a graduate fellow in 1989 and became an Assistant Lecturer at the Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria in 1993 and rose through the rank to the post of a Senior Lecturer in 2001, a post he held until appointed Associate Professor of Microbiology at the University of Fort Hare in May 2006, and in January 2008 I was promoted Full Professor of Microbiology. In January 2009 he was appointed Head of the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology at the University of Fort Hare. He hold a PhD degree in Microbiology and 10 diplomas in some aspects of Biotechnology and Molecular biology from reputable institutions on the continents of Africa, Asia, Europe and America. He have immense teaching, research and administrative experience in the University system. He was a member of Senate (as leader of Congregation) at the Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria, where He also served as a member of the Appointment and Promotion Committee of University. In 2002, He was elected for a two years term as President of Obafemi Awolowo University Staff Club. His research expertise is in the area of Applied and Environmental Microbiology with extended interest in Bioremediation, Water/wastewater quality and bioactive compounds research. He has been involved in various collaborations with eminent academics within and outside South Africa, and he review for over twenty international journals. He have also been a recipient of such awards as Postgraduate Fellowship Award, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile - Ife, Nigeria, 1990 - 1992; United Nations University Fellowship (1998); UNESCO Biotechnology Action Council Fellowship (2000), NRF Free Standing Fellowship 2005 and currently an NRF, MRC and WRC grantholder. He has published over 80 articles; several conference presentations; and nucleotide sequences deposited in the genebank in my academic career of over two decades, nine of which was as a senior academic. Within the last four years, I have won seven research grants made up of four from the NRF and one each from the Medical Research Council, Water Research Commission and the Alliance for the Prudent Use of Antibiotics (international) studies on water/wastewater qualities; bioactive compounds; and reservoirs of antibiotic resistance. In 2007, He established my research group called Applied and Environmental Microbiology Research Group (AEMREG) in the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology of the University of Fort Hare, and the group is currently made up of 18 research students at the Honours, Master's and Doctoral levels. He was rated as a C3 category (established researcher) scientist by the NRF in 2007 and in 2008 He won the University of Fort Hare Vice-Chancellor Emerging Research Award. In 2009, He was invited to represent South Africa in the international collaboration on the surveillance of reservoirs of antibiotic resistance (ISRAR) under the auspices of the Alliance for the prudent use of Antibiotics (APUA) with headquarters in the Boston, USA. My lab serves as the South Africa Country lab for this collaboration and He double as the South Africa Country Laboratory Manager. Also, in 2009 He was elected into the Executive Council of the South Africa Society for Microbiology (SASM), and in 2010 He was elected as Vice President of the Society.
Abstract:
Water constitutes the most abundant compound on the surface of our planet, but only 1% of this resource is available as freshwater and is recognized as a scare resource in many parts of the world. Also, protection of this important resource has become a major global challenge especially amongst developing countries including South Africa. Challenges in this regards include for example, emerging and re-emerging microbial and chemical pollutants in water; their survival strategies in conventional treatment processes; evidences suggesting increasing incidences of resistance to regular disinfection regimes; hazardous chemicals used in water treatment and need for eco-friendly alternatives; and the need for review of existing water quality guidelines to capture emerging trends such as wastewater effluents as reservoirs of antibiotic resistance determinants becomes imperative and will be discussed in this paper.
Anthony I Okoh
SAMRC Microbial Water Quality Monitoring Centre, University of Fort Hare
Title: Important challenges in water quality and the need for new approaches
Biography:
He started my research career as a graduate fellow in 1989 and became an Assistant Lecturer at the Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria in 1993 and rose through the rank to the post of a Senior Lecturer in 2001, a post he held until appointed Associate Professor of Microbiology at the University of Fort Hare in May 2006, and in January 2008 I was promoted Full Professor of Microbiology. In January 2009 he was appointed Head of the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology at the University of Fort Hare. He hold a PhD degree in Microbiology and 10 diplomas in some aspects of Biotechnology and Molecular biology from reputable institutions on the continents of Africa, Asia, Europe and America. He have immense teaching, research and administrative experience in the University system. He was a member of Senate (as leader of Congregation) at the Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria, where He also served as a member of the Appointment and Promotion Committee of University. In 2002, He was elected for a two years term as President of Obafemi Awolowo University Staff Club. His research expertise is in the area of Applied and Environmental Microbiology with extended interest in Bioremediation, Water/wastewater quality and bioactive compounds research. He has been involved in various collaborations with eminent academics within and outside South Africa, and he review for over twenty international journals. He have also been a recipient of such awards as Postgraduate Fellowship Award, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile - Ife, Nigeria, 1990 - 1992; United Nations University Fellowship (1998); UNESCO Biotechnology Action Council Fellowship (2000), NRF Free Standing Fellowship 2005 and currently an NRF, MRC and WRC grantholder. He has published over 80 articles; several conference presentations; and nucleotide sequences deposited in the genebank in my academic career of over two decades, nine of which was as a senior academic. Within the last four years, I have won seven research grants made up of four from the NRF and one each from the Medical Research Council, Water Research Commission and the Alliance for the Prudent Use of Antibiotics (international) studies on water/wastewater qualities; bioactive compounds; and reservoirs of antibiotic resistance. In 2007, He established my research group called Applied and Environmental Microbiology Research Group (AEMREG) in the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology of the University of Fort Hare, and the group is currently made up of 18 research students at the Honours, Master's and Doctoral levels. He was rated as a C3 category (established researcher) scientist by the NRF in 2007 and in 2008 He won the University of Fort Hare Vice-Chancellor Emerging Research Award. In 2009, He was invited to represent South Africa in the international collaboration on the surveillance of reservoirs of antibiotic resistance (ISRAR) under the auspices of the Alliance for the prudent use of Antibiotics (APUA) with headquarters in the Boston, USA. My lab serves as the South Africa Country lab for this collaboration and He double as the South Africa Country Laboratory Manager. Also, in 2009 He was elected into the Executive Council of the South Africa Society for Microbiology (SASM), and in 2010 He was elected as Vice President of the Society.
Abstract:
Water constitutes the most abundant compound on the surface of our planet, but only 1% of this resource is available as freshwater and is recognized as a scare resource in many parts of the world. Also, protection of this important resource has become a major global challenge especially amongst developing countries including South Africa. Challenges in this regards include for example, emerging and re-emerging microbial and chemical pollutants in water; their survival strategies in conventional treatment processes; evidences suggesting increasing incidences of resistance to regular disinfection regimes; hazardous chemicals used in water treatment and need for eco-friendly alternatives; and the need for review of existing water quality guidelines to capture emerging trends such as wastewater effluents as reservoirs of antibiotic resistance determinants becomes imperative and will be discussed in this paper.
Suikinai Nobre Santos
King’s College London, London, WC2R 2LS, United Kingdom
Title: Marine ecosystems as a source of bioprospecting of microorganisms for biotechnological applicability
Biography:
Suikinai Nobre Santos has completed his PhD at the age of 29 years from University of São Paulo and postdoctoral studies from Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, EMBRAPA, São Paulo/Brazil and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Oxford, MS, USA also too, visitor researcher in King’s College London. She does to research development applications in bioprospecting compounds and biomolecules with industrial and biotechnological fields. She has published more than 17 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as an editorial board member of repute.
Abstract:
The need for new and useful drugs to promote assistance and aid in the diseases that ravage humanity is extremely relevant. Sources have been found in rare microorganisms, those from tropical marine environment is largely unexplored and might provide a rich source of the microorganism producing novel and efficent anti-infective compounds. During the last decade many microorganisms producers of novels compounds with unsual structures and equally variety of biotechnologically relevant properties (anticancer, antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoal, antihelmintic activities) in addition to being a souce of polyunsaturated fatty acids. The bacterial strains were isolated from samples collected sponges in the archipelago St. Peter and St. Paul (00° 55′ 02″ N, 29° 20′ 44″ W). They were subjected to screening platform for detection of natural compounds with production of exopolysaccharide matrix (EPS) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAS). The results show that marine sponges are excellent sources of producing bacteria of natural products. Two strains identified as Pseudoalteromonas tetraodonis and Pseudoalteromonas issachikonni were able to produce EPS by presence of two carbon sources (galactose and glucose), at 28 °C at pH 7. The EPS constituent monomers of the strain P. tetraodonis are galactose and fructose, and the strain P. issachikonni fructose. However, fourteen isolates present production of PUFAs, including mystic and palmitic acid 32.16%, heptodecanoic and oleic acid monounsaturated 75,41% and y- (gamma) linolenic acids. This analysis indicated that isolated were able to grow and produce essential fatty, also too, is considered as a promising source for bioprospecting of biomolecule targeting a biotechnological application.
- Water Technology and Its Applications
Biofilms in Drinking Water
Water Borne Disease
Chair
Yoav Bashan
The Bashan Institute of Science, USA
Co-Chair
Robert Armon
Israel Institute of Technology, Israel
Session Introduction
Robert Armon,
Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Israel
Title: Macromolecular fi ngerprinting in sol-gel materials for rapid bacterial recognition in water samples via QCM detection
Biography:
Robert Armon is the Head of Environmental Microbiology Lab, Faculty of Civil & Environmental Engineering and has 27 years of experience in Environmental Microbiology, 7 Patents, 96 Publication and 2 Books.
Abstract:
Currently, the importance of early detection for microbial contamination of water samples is substantial in areas like food production, water supply or recreational water. Well established chemical and biological detection methods are highly suitable for this task and yield the desired detection limits, but their main drawback is analysis time interval being time consuming for a rapid real-time detection. Th is attribute was the basis for the idea of using molecularly imprinted sol-gel based QCM biosensor for rapid and selective bacterial recognition in liquid samples. Molecularly imprinted sol-gel derived thin fi lms with diff erent pathogenic microbial cells previously showed to be an easy and selective method for specifi c bacterial recognition from liquid. An important feature in the imprinting process is molecular fi ngerprints left by microorganisms alongside morphology, into imprinted fi lm cavities that are complementary to the template molecule in size, shape and chemical functionality. In the present study, a method for rapid and selective bacterial recognition was developed as a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) based biosensor. QCM probes were coated with sol-gel derived thin fi lms and modifi ed with a surface-imprinting process using diff erent bacteria (including pathogens) such as: Staphylococcus aureus, Deinococcus radiodurans, E. coli CN13, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Flavobacterium breve. Preliminary results show that imprinted fi lms on sensor surface showed high selectivity and sensitivity towards the experimental template bacteria (S. aureus) along the adsorption process from water. Th e sensitivity of present QCM imprinted probes is ~102 CFU/ml, allowing this method to be a promising technique for selective detection and quantifi cation of bacteria present in liquids in real time intervals.
F Dilek Sanin
Middle East Technical University, Turkey
Title: Microbial community analysis of anaerobic digesters during biotransformation of nonylphenol diethoxylate
Biography:
F Dilek Sanin has completed her PhD at Duke University and Postdoctoral studies at North Carolina State University. She is currently a Faculty at Middle East Technical University, Department of Environmental Engineering. She has published more than 50 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as an Editorial Board Member in Water Science and Technology and Journal of Residuals Science and Technology.
Abstract:
Nonylphenol(poly)ethoxylates (NPnEO) have limited degradation in waste water treatment plants especially in activated sludge units. Since they accumulate in sludge, understanding their fate during sludge treatment is important. Proteobacteria is a basic phylum that plays an important role in degradation of aromatic compounds and organic pollutants. In other words, it makes this phylum an important component in the degradation of organic matter in the digesters. It is known that acetoclastic methanogenesis is considered to account for the majority of methane production (70%) in anaerobic digestion processes. Th erefore, in order to understand the eff ect of nonylphenol diethoxylate (NP2EO) addition on methanogenesis, it is important to monitor populations of Methanosaeta and Methanosarcina which are the two main genera of acetoclastic methanogens in operated digesters. Th erefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the distribution and abundance of four sub-groups of Proteobacteria (Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta) and Methanosarcina and Methanosaeta acetoclastic methanogenic groups in overall microbial community in sludge samples using qPCR assays and to understand the response and time dependent behavior of these sub-groups during the degradation of NP2EO in anaerobic digesters. Th e composition of the bacterial community structure in the NP2EO spiked digesters exhibited high abundance of Betaproteobacteria and Gammaproteobacteria compared to other sub-groups of Proteobacteria and control digesters. It can be said that the members of Betaproteobacteria and Gammaproteobacteria are better at adapting sudden changes in the environment and may play a signifi cant role in degradation of NP compounds. All of the digesters were dominated by acetoclastic Methanosaeta species.
Selim Latif Sanin
Hacettepe University, Turkey
Title: Comparison of four membranes in a bioelectrochemical system designed for nitrate removal from groundwater
Biography:
Selim Latif Sanin has completed his PhD from Duke University and he is currently the Director of Environmental Research Center at Hacettepe University, Turkey. He is working on fate and transport mechanisms of priority pollutants in water and soil systems. His main research focuses on investigation of alternative biological and nonbiological remediation methods for priority and persistent pollutants. He is interested in physiological and cytogenetic effects of priority pollutants on plants.
Abstract:
Power production performance of a MFC system with commercially available ion exchange membranes (CMI-7000S, CMF and HSF) are investigated in groundwater system and performances are compared. Carbon sheet is also used as a no-membrane barrier. HSF membrane provided the best columbic effi ciency. Although current effi ciency was lower in of carbon cloth reactor good nitrate removal performance is achieved in the system. Highest maximum power density and the lowest internal resistance was observed in HSF-MFC (234 mW/m2, internal resistance 631 Ω) membrane which was followed by Non-membrane (Carbon Sheet) MFC (192 mW/m2, internal resistance 766 Ω) reactor. CMF-MFC (116 mW/m2, internal resistance 1177 Ω) and CMI-MFC (74 mW/m2, internal resistance 1558 Ω) were the two low performing membranes. When these four separators were arranged by their capability to prevent pH increase in the cathode section, the results from high to low were CMF, HSF, non-membrane MFC and CMI. Th ese results showed the possibility of using various membranes in MFC systems and indicate HSF membrane as the best option, when cost is considered. It was observed that concentration of nitrate in the cathode solution has a signifi cant impact on the removal rate of nitrate, power and current production and columbic effi ciency. At high nitrate concentrations the system removed around 65% of the initial concentration. When 12 mg/L nitrate is used as the initial nitrate concentration in the cathode chamber, signifi cant reduction in nitrate removal is observed and a decrease (59%) in current production and decrease of 50% in coulomb effi ciency is observed.
Julieta Z Dungca
Centro Escolar University, Philippines
Title: Surveillance of intestinal protozoans and multidrug resistant bacteria from various water samples from the Philippines
Biography:
Julieta Z Dungca has completed her PhD from De La Salle University. She is a registered Medical Technologist and a Biologist. She is currently the Dean of the School Science and Technology, Centro Escolar University, Manila, Philippines. She has published a number of papers in reputed journals in the area of Parasitology and Microbiology.
Abstract:
As water pollution is one of the key health issues in the Philippines, parasitological and bacteriological surveys were made on various water systems in the Philippines with the hope of assisting policy makers in coming up with environmental health programs for the region. A total of thirty three water samples were examined for the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. using an immunomagnetic separation method and fl uorescence microscopy. Likewise, Acanthamoeba and Naegleria were tested through microscopy examination and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results of the parasitological analysis revealed that twelve samples were positive for Cryptosporidium spp. (36.4%); 17 (45.5%) for Giardia spp., 13 (33.3%) for Acanthamoeba and 5 (18.2%) for Naegleria spp. Th e occurrence of Giardia in the water samples was positively correlated with nitrite (r=0.736, p<0.01) as well as nitrate concentration (r=0.502, p<0.01). Th ese fi ndings may serve as baseline surveillance data for parasitic contamination in various water systems in the Philippines. Likewise, the occurrence of multidrug resistant bacteria (defi ned as resistance to at least three antibiotics) in selected river systems was also investigated. Th e resistance profi le of the 27 bacterial isolates from Pampanga River, 8 isolates from Estero de San Miguel and 9 isolates from Pasig River were determined against fi ve to ten antibiotics using the Kirby Bauer disk diff usion method. Results showed that all the 37 out of 44 isolates (20 from Pampanga; all 8 from Estero de San Miguel and all 9 from Pasig River) were resistant to at least three antibiotics. In this study, 9 thermotolerant multiple drug resistant (MDR) bacterial isolates were identifi ed. Further investigation has to be made as to how these MDR had been introduced into these bodies of water which may place the public at great risk.
Julieta Z Dungca
Centro Escolar University, Philippines
Title: Surveillance of intestinal protozoans and multidrug resistant bacteria from various water samples from the Philippines
Biography:
Julieta Z Dungca has completed her PhD from De La Salle University. She is a registered Medical Technologist and a Biologist. She is currently the Dean of the School Science and Technology, Centro Escolar University, Manila, Philippines. She has published a number of papers in reputed journals in the area of Parasitology and Microbiology.
Abstract:
As water pollution is one of the key health issues in the Philippines, parasitological and bacteriological surveys were made on various water systems in the Philippines with the hope of assisting policy makers in coming up with environmental health programs for the region. A total of thirty three water samples were examined for the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. using an immunomagnetic separation method and fl uorescence microscopy. Likewise, Acanthamoeba and Naegleria were tested through microscopy examination and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results of the parasitological analysis revealed that twelve samples were positive for Cryptosporidium spp. (36.4%); 17 (45.5%) for Giardia spp., 13 (33.3%) for Acanthamoeba and 5 (18.2%) for Naegleria spp. Th e occurrence of Giardia in the water samples was positively correlated with nitrite (r=0.736, p<0.01) as well as nitrate concentration (r=0.502, p<0.01). Th ese fi ndings may serve as baseline surveillance data for parasitic contamination in various water systems in the Philippines. Likewise, the occurrence of multidrug resistant bacteria (defi ned as resistance to at least three antibiotics) in selected river systems was also investigated. Th e resistance profi le of the 27 bacterial isolates from Pampanga River, 8 isolates from Estero de San Miguel and 9 isolates from Pasig River were determined against fi ve to ten antibiotics using the Kirby Bauer disk diff usion method. Results showed that all the 37 out of 44 isolates (20 from Pampanga; all 8 from Estero de San Miguel and all 9 from Pasig River) were resistant to at least three antibiotics. In this study, 9 thermotolerant multiple drug resistant (MDR) bacterial isolates were identifi ed. Further investigation has to be made as to how these MDR had been introduced into these bodies of water which may place the public at great risk.
Anuradha S. Nerurkar
The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Gujarat. India
Title: Composition and structure of denitrifying bacterial biofilm
Biography:
Anuradha S. Nerurkar is M.Sc. (Microbiology) Ph.D. from RTM Nagpur University, Maharashtra, India. She is teaching Microbiology in the Department of Microbiology & Biotechnology Centre,The M.S.University of Baroda since 1996 and currently she is Professor of Microbiology. Her areas of research are Denitrification and their biofilm structure-function relationship,Bacterial amyloids and biotechnological applications, Bacterial bioemulsifier and its ecophysiological role and Quorum quenching approach of biocontrol of plant pathogens.She has guided five students for Ph.D. and has published 22 papers in reputed journals and written five book chapters.
Abstract:
Effluents of some chemical industries contain high nitrate levels which needs denitrification before discharge, otherwise it is a potential health hazard. Biological removal of nitrates from wastewater using heterotrophic denitrifying bacteria is cost effective. Biofilm denitrifying reactors are gaining importance in recent times. A significant advantage biofilm reactors afford is the control of its “bios†component. Studies carried out in this perspective are presented here. The abundance, structure and activity of the denitrifying bacteria in the sludge studied to understand their composition revealed Pseudomonas sp. and Alcaligenes sp. to be numerically high by culturable approach and betaproteobacteria by culture independent method. Comparison of denitrification showed contrasting patterns while, Diaphorobacter sp. showed accumulation of nitrite in the medium while Paracoccus sp. showed no accumulation. Bacterial biofilms shape their structure in response to environmental conditions. Higher Mg or Ca ion concentrations induced cohesion of biofilm cells in Paracoccus sp. as well as high denitrification, but contrasting biofilm architectures. Influence of carbon showed that the nitrate removal efficiency was in the order acetate > glucose > methanol > ethanol. Conditions required to enhance the growth of denitrifier with degradative capabilities is desirable in wastewater treatment processes. Different levels of nitrate did not display any significant effect on biofilm formation of Paracoccus sp. and its ability to tolerate and efficiently reduce nitrate could be said to confer a fitness payoff to the organism at high concentrations of nitrate in biofilm community.These set of studies conducted give valuable insights towards developing an efficient biofilm reactor.
Luyan Z Ma
Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
Title: Biofi lm disassembly and prevention by glycosyl hydrolase
Biography:
Luyan Z Ma was graduated from Beijing Agricultural University and obtained her PhD from the same university in 1996. She has received training as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Institute Pasteur in Paris, France and has worked as a Visiting Scholar at University of Connecticut Health Center, USA. She has worked in the Wake Forest University and the Ohio State University of USA before she joined the State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources at Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2010. She has been awarded by the Hundred Talent Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences for 2010.
Abstract:
Biofi lms are surface associated communities of microorganism embedded in extracellular matrix. Exopolysaccharide is a critical component in the extracellular matrix that maintains biofi lm architecture and protects resident biofi lm bacteria from antimicrobials and host immune attack. However, the self produced factors that target the matrix exopolysaccharides are poorly understood. Here we show that PslG, a protein involved in the synthesis of a key biofi lm matrix exopolysaccharide Psl in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, prevents biofi lm formation and disassembles existing biofi lms within minutes at nanomolar concentrations while supplied exogenously. Th e crystal structure of PslG indicates the typical features of an endoglycosidase. PslG disrupts mainly the Psl matrix to disperse bacteria from biofi lms. PslG treatment markedly enhances biofi lm sensitivity to antibiotics and macrophage cells, resulting in improved biofi lm clearance in a mouse implant infection model. Furthermore, PslG shows biofi lm inhibition and disassembly activity against a wide range of Pseudomonas species, indicating its great potential in combating biofi lm related complications.
Ghobrial M.G
National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Egypt
Title: Bioactivity Effect of Two Macrophytes Extracts on Growth Performance of Two Bloom-Forming Cyanophytes
Biography:
Professor of Aquatic Plants in Hydrobiology Lab. Marine Environment Division. National Institute Of Oceanography & Fisheries (NIOF) – Ministry Of Scientific Research, Arab Republic Of Egypt (ARE). Ph.D. in Botany, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University. Field of Interest Research activities on: the use of aquatic plants and algae for phytoremediation. Allelopathic potential of aquatic plants for use as algicidal, and bactericidal agents. Investigations on the emergent macrophytes used for treatment of groundwater aromatic hydrocarbon contaminants in constructed wetlands. Climate changes impact on water environmental resources. Aquatic plants (marine and freshwater) use as antibacterial and antifungal agents against fish pathogens. Combat of algal blooming. Plants biotechnology.. Recently, uses aquatic macro and microalgae nanoparticles for antibacterial and antialgal bloom forming researches
Abstract:
Aqueous extracts of two freshwater macrophytes; Potamogeton pectinatus and Ceratophyllum demersum with 50% and 100% each with acetone and ethanol solvents were tested on growth performance of two bloom-forming cyanophytes, Microcystis aeruginosa and Oscillatoria tenuis. The results revealed no significant difference between the overall total average growth performance at treatment with 50% and 100% Ceratophyllum acetone extracts expressed by optical density (OD) as well as chlorophyll a (chl a). They showed, both, stimulation of Microcystis aeruginosa growth. The highest growth increase in 100 µL/100ml treatment with 50% acetone extract had percentage rate R, 94.66. On the contrary, treatment with ethanol extract recorded the highest inhibitory effect, thus in 1.5 µL/100ml treatment with 50% Ceratophyllum ethanol extract R recorded -87.54, sustaining LC50 value 1.12 µl/100 ml. The highest stimulating effect in 105µL/100 ml treatment with 50% Ceratophyllum acetone extracts against Oscillatoria tenuis was; R, 169.4. The highest inhibition in 1500 µL/100ml treatment with 50% Ceratophyllum ethanol extracts against Oscillatoria tenuis was ;R-74.32, with LC50 0.830 µl/100 ml. While, the highest inhibition by 50% and 100% Potamogeton acetone or ethanol extracts against M. aeruginosa were in 80 and 70 µL/100 ml treatments with R, -99.80 for both. There are significant differences between the overall averages for each solvent, both of 50% and 100% Potamogeton extracts against Oscillatoria as estimated by OD or chl a. The highest inhibitory effect for Potamogeton against Oscillatoria were in 103, 800, 200 and 180 µL/100ml using 50%, 100%, either acetone or ethanol extracts treatments, were R, -66.56, -73.24, -85.95 and -85.95, in return for LC50 932, 590, 129.50 and 101.428 µl/100 ml, respectively.
Ghulam Rasool Mashori
PUMHS for Women, Pakistan
Title: Effects of Captopril & Lisinopril (ACE Inhibitor drugs) on Insulin Release
Biography:
Prof. Ghulam Rasool Mashori completed his PhD at the age of 34 years from Faculty of Medicine, University Kebangsaan Malaysia. He is working as Professor & Director, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peoples University of Medical & Health Sciences for Women Nawabshah, Sindh, Pakistan. He has also worked as a Director, National Institute of Management. There are more than 22 papers on his credit, published in reputed journals. He served with the Ministry of Health in various positions and also serving as an Editor, & Editorial Board Member of reputed International Journals.
Abstract:
Treatment of hypertension (asymptomatic disease) is based on the hypothesis that, BP will prevent or decrease cardiovascular complications. Treatment of elevated BP has lessened the occurrence of stroke, heart and renal failure. However, the prevalence of Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) is not reduced to the same degree. Many of the drugs promoted as first line drugs, has been shown to affect on insulin release in both the diabetic and non diabetic hypertensive patients consequently may lead to the development of CHD. Since 1990’s mono therapy for the treatment of hypertension has been advocated, Captopril & Lisinopril may be used as a first line therapy. The purpose of the study was, to compare the effect of ACE inhibitors on insulin release by using rat isolated pancreas through perfusion technique. Diazoxide was used as positive control (insulin suppressant). Doses used were based on therapeutic peak plasma concentrations. Both Captopril (1µg/ml) & Lisinopril (150ng/ml) did not significantly suppressed insulin release. In conclusion Captopril and Lisinopril had no effect on Insulin release.
Kausar Rehman Khan
Preston University Karachi, Pakistan
Title: WATER BORNE DISEASES, ITS ADVERSITY WITH COMPROMISED IMMUNE SYSTEM
Biography:
Dr Kausar is professional, with extensive knowledge of human Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, being professionally engaged in the discovery and development of new therapies and treatments that can improve people health and extend their lives. Currently she is associated with University of Karachi (Dept of Microbiology) and Preston University Karachi (Assistant Professor). She has 20 Publications on her credit, on Health related issues published in various magazines. She is LinkedIn Publisher, Member of Royal College of Pathologist. She is a Counselor at KVTC Centre for Downs and Autistic Students.
Abstract:
Water borne diseases are the major health threat in Pakistan. Water which is essential for life comes across with Pathogens and Pathogenic conditions well before it is available for consumption. The most common and prevalent water borne diseases are viral hepatitis, hepatitis A & E, infant’s diarrhea, typhoid, dysentery, intestinal worms, skin disease etc. These are either acquired by consumption or coming in contact with contaminated water sources. People with Immune compromise, immune system are at higher risk of receiving severe forms of any of these water borne illnesses. It is estimated that, the infant mortality rate is quite higher, caused by the use of untreated water, among 250,000 deaths occur per year. Illness due to diarrhea accounts for nearly 60% of children with approximately 630 deaths daily. In thickly populated city Karachi, drinking water is available from various sources, i.e. public water supply systems, private wells or bottled water. The most common sources of water contamination are results of leak rusty underground water pipelines, storage tanks, cross connection between water supply lines and sewage disposal in the city. A study underway reveals immunity compromise especially in children is the major cause of deaths with such alarming rate as their immune system is under development. In this context precautions and control should be proper. Inspection of the water points needs to be carried out on regular basis by health authorities. Proper hygiene is an-other way, for drastically reducing the chances of acquiring or spreading water borne illnesses. Water must be brought to rolling boil for 5-10 minutes; Chlorination may be carried out by chlorine gas, bleaching powder, chlorine tablets and solutions, before use.
Susana Deus Alvarez
Universidad de la República (UDELAR), Montevideo, Uruguay
Title: HABs Identification system based on mobile Networked technologies Morphologic, genetic and optic caracterization of toxic and non toxic Microcystis Aeruginosa HABs
Biography:
Susana Deus has completed his master degree at the age of 24 years old from Autónoma de Madrid University and after a few years working some over Europe, in some laboratories and inside the European Commission, she arrived to Uruguay three years ago. After being working in the Environmental Ministry and teaching in the public University she has decided to start her PhD at the water microbiologist area and trying to develop new technologies for water quality assessment.
Abstract:
Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) are globally distributed and represent a serious threat for human health and aquatic ecosystems due mainly to the production of neuro and hepatotoxins and deterioration of water quality and biodiversity. The frequency of Microcystis blooms usually increases during summer, when aquatic ecosystems are highly used and visited. Some studies have found differences in toxin production related to the size of Microcystis colonies, suggesting that colony-size could be used as a characteristic toxicity marker. In addition, optical properties of water can be related to the shape and size of the colonies present, therefore, we hypothesize that optical properties of water could be used to characterize Microcystis communities dominated by different colony-sizes. Smartphones and other compact electronic devices are now ubiquitous and have numerous picture-capturing, sensing and processing capabilities, that have useful applications in geosciences; such as calculation of water turbidity or concentration of suspended particulate matter based on color pictures. The objective of this project is to develop a smartphone-based model to detect harmful algal blooms (HABs) dominated by Microcystis spp. in aquatic systems, combined to toxicity data. We will show results concerning the relation between size and toxicity of Microcystis spp. colonies and how these characteristics relate to their optical properties measured through a Smartphone application. The final intention of this project is to foster citizen science by promoting environmental monitoring and science education.
Anuradha S. Nerurkar
The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Gujarat. India
Title: Composition and structure of denitrifying bacterial biofilm
Biography:
Anuradha S. Nerurkar is M.Sc. (Microbiology) Ph.D. from RTM Nagpur University, Maharashtra, India. She is teaching Microbiology in the Department of Microbiology & Biotechnology Centre,The M.S.University of Baroda since 1996 and currently she is Professor of Microbiology. Her areas of research are Denitrification and their biofilm structure-function relationship,Bacterial amyloids and biotechnological applications, Bacterial bioemulsifier and its ecophysiological role and Quorum quenching approach of biocontrol of plant pathogens.She has guided five students for Ph.D. and has published 22 papers in reputed journals and written five book chapters.
Abstract:
Effluents of some chemical industries contain high nitrate levels which needs denitrification before discharge, otherwise it is a potential health hazard. Biological removal of nitrates from wastewater using heterotrophic denitrifying bacteria is cost effective. Biofilm denitrifying reactors are gaining importance in recent times. A significant advantage biofilm reactors afford is the control of its “bios†component. Studies carried out in this perspective are presented here. The abundance, structure and activity of the denitrifying bacteria in the sludge studied to understand their composition revealed Pseudomonas sp. and Alcaligenes sp. to be numerically high by culturable approach and betaproteobacteria by culture independent method. Comparison of denitrification showed contrasting patterns while, Diaphorobacter sp. showed accumulation of nitrite in the medium while Paracoccus sp. showed no accumulation. Bacterial biofilms shape their structure in response to environmental conditions. Higher Mg or Ca ion concentrations induced cohesion of biofilm cells in Paracoccus sp. as well as high denitrification, but contrasting biofilm architectures. Influence of carbon showed that the nitrate removal efficiency was in the order acetate > glucose > methanol > ethanol. Conditions required to enhance the growth of denitrifier with degradative capabilities is desirable in wastewater treatment processes. Different levels of nitrate did not display any significant effect on biofilm formation of Paracoccus sp. and its ability to tolerate and efficiently reduce nitrate could be said to confer a fitness payoff to the organism at high concentrations of nitrate in biofilm community.These set of studies conducted give valuable insights towards developing an efficient biofilm reactor.
Raquel Amanda Villamizar Gallardo
Universidad de Pamplona, Colombia
Title: Determination of Rotavirus in raw Colombian water by using fluoromagnetic detection
Biography:
Raquel A. Villamizar has completed her PhD in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology at the age of 29 years from Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain. She is currently, assistent proffesor at the Universidad de Pamplona, Colombia and leader of the Nanotechnology and Sustanaibility Research Group of the same university. She has has published more than 10 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as an editorial member of the divulgative Journal of Nano-Science and Technology of her country.
Abstract:
A fast, sensitive and selective detection method of rotavirus in raw water samples was developed. Micro magnetic particles were functionalized with monoclonal antibodies anti-Rotavirus and they were used to capture, concentrate and separate whole rotavirus particles in raw water samples from Pamplonita River, Pamplona, Colombia. Atomic force microscopy was used to prove the presence of anti-rotavirus antibodies and rotaviruses attached on the surface of the magnetic particles. In addition, RNA extraction, quantification and amplification was carried out to validate the microscopy results. The selectivity of the particles a sample containing a mix of enteric viruses was tested as potential competing viruses in the media. It was obtained that functionalized micromagnetic particles coupled to monoclonal anti-rotavirus antibodies are a rapid, selective and reliable tool for detecting up to 10 viral particle of rotavirus in 1 L in just 2 hours.
Biography:
Maria Adelaide de Pinho Almeida is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Biology from the University of Aveiro, Portugal, where she obtained her PhD degree in 2001. She is an integrated Member of the Associated Laboratory Centre for Environmental and Marine Sciences (CESAM). In the last years, she has been involved in the development and application of alternative methods to the use of antibiotics, such as photodynamic therapy and phage therapy.
Abstract:
One of the major sources of fi nancial loss for the fi sh farming industry is the occurrence of infections by pathogenic bacteria, especially multidrug-resistant variants. Th is problem is most prominent during the early stages of fi sh development and is diffi cult to address with traditional antibiotic treatment or vaccination. In this way, alternative environmental-friendly biological strategies to control bacterial infections need to be implemented. Under this scenario, phage therapy appears as a useful and fl exible tool for the inactivation of bacterial pathogens in aquaculture. Th e aim of this study was to test the effi cacy of phage therapy to inactivate Aeromonas salmonicida, the causative agent of furunculosis, a fi sh disease characterized by high mortality and morbidity. In order to achieve this goal, a new phage was isolated, characterized and tested in artifi cially-infected Solea senegalensis juveniles and in batch bacterial cultures. Results showed that aft er 6 hours of treatment the phage inhibited the growth of A. salmonicida both in batch cultures and seawater in the presence of fi sh juveniles (≈4 and 2.5 Log PFU mL-1, respectively). Aft er 72 hours, fi sh juveniles treated with phages aft er exposure to A. salmonicida showed no mortality, contrarily to fi shes that were only exposed to the bacterium, which presented a mortality of 36%. Th is result indicated that phage treatment was eff ective. In general, it was observed a limited re-growth of resistant cells and absence of lysogeny conversion. No signifi cant impact of phage inoculation on natural bacterial communities of aquaculture water was detected. However, the bacterial community associated with the fi sh intestinal tract was moderately aff ected by the addition of the phage. Interestingly, the diff erences were not signifi cant when the phage was added in the presence of the host bacteria. Taking this into account, this study provides evidences that the tested phage can be eff ective and safe against furunculosis during the production of juvenile fi sh.
Sung-Joon Lee
Korea University, South Korea
Title: Anti-norovirus activity of lemongrass essential oil
Biography:
Sung-Joon Lee has completed his PhD from Harvard University and Postdoctoral studies from Stanford University School of Medicine. He is a Professor of Department of Biotechnology in Korea University. He has published more than 120 papers in SCI-listed journals and has been serving as an Editorial Board Member of repute.
Abstract:
This study investigated the eff ect of lemongrass essential oil (LGEO) on the infectivity and viral replication of norovirus. Murine norovirus (MNV), a surrogate of human norovirus, was pre-incubated with LGEO and then used to infect RAW 264.7 cells in a plaque reduction assay. LGEO exhibited a signifi cant reduction in MNV plaque formation in both time and dose dependent manners. qPCR results were in line with those of plaque reduction assay. It was revealed that citral, a single compound in LGEO, showed dramatic reduction in MNV infectivity (-73.09% when using a treatment of 2% v/v). Th e inhibitory activity of LGEO on viral replication was further investigated in HG23 cells that harbored a human norovirus replicon. LGEO treatment signifi cantly reduced viral replication in HG23 cells, which suggests that LGEO may have dual inhibitory activities that inactivate viral coat proteins required for viral infection and suppress norovirus genome replication in host cells. In animal experiments, oral administration of MNV pre-incubated with LGEO signifi cantly suppressed MNV infectivity in vivo. Collectively, these results suggest that LGEO, in particular the LGEO component citral, inactivates norovirus and its subsequent replication in host cells. Th us, LGEO shows promise as method of inhibiting norovirus within the food industry.
Suma George Mulamattathil
University of Limpopo, South Africa
Title: Isolation of environmental bacteria from surface and drinking water in Mafi keng, South Africa and characterization using their antibiotic resistance profi les
Biography:
Suma George Mulamattathil has completed her PhD from North West University in South Africa. Presently she is working as a Senior Lecturer in University of Limpopo, South Africa. She has published four papers and all of them deal with the antibiotic resistance of bacterial isolates from water.
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to isolate and identify environmental bacteria from various water sources as well as water from the drinking water distributions system in Mafi keng to determine their antibiotic resistance profi les and presence virulence factors. Water samples from fi ve diff erent sites were collected and analyzed for the presence of fecal coliforms, total coliforms, heterotrophic plate count (HPC), Aeromonas and Pseudomonas species using selective media. Antibiotic susceptibility tests were performed using Kirby-Bauer disk diff usion method. Cluster analysis based on the antibiotic inhibition zone diameter data of diff erent organisms isolated from diff erent sites was determined and was expressed as dendograms using Wards algorithm and Euclidean distance of Statistical version 7. Specifi c PCR was used to determine the identities of presumptive Pseudomonas and Aeromonas species through amplifi cation of the gyrB, toxA and the ecfX gene fragments. Virulence gene determinants for the confi rmed Pseudomonas and Aeromonas species were detected by amplifying the exoA, exoS and exoT genes and the aerA and hylH gene fragments, respectively. Th e susceptibility of these isolates was tested against 11 antibiotics of clinical interest and the multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) patterns were compiled. Th e most prevalent antibiotic resistance phenotype observed was KF-AP-C-E-OT-K-TM-A. All isolates from all samples were susceptible to ciprofl oxacin. However, all fecal coliforms and Pseudomonas spp. were susceptible to neomycin and streptomycin. On the contrary all organisms tested were resistant to erythromycin (100%) trimethoprim and amoxycillin. Th e highest prevalence of antibiotic resistant isolates was observed in Modimola Dam and Molopo eye.
Seok-min Kim
Chung-Ang University, South Korea
Title: Development of silver nanorods enhanced fl uorescence substrate for microarray analysis
Biography:
Seok-min Kim has received his PhD degree from the School of Mechanical Engineering at Yonsei University, South Korea. He is currently an Associate Professor in the School of Mechanical Engineering at Chung-Ang University, South Korea. His current research interests include design and fabrication of micro/nanostructures for optical biosensors, micro fl uidic chips, concentrator photovoltaic system, digital display, LED lighting and enhanced boiling heat transfer surface.
Abstract:
Metal-enhanced fl uorescence is a powerful technology to improve the sensitivity of fl uorescence analysis by allowing fl uorophores to interact with enhanced electromagnetic fi elds generated by the localized surface Plasmon resonance (LSPR) eff ects of metallic nanostructures. To apply metal-enhanced fl uorescence technology to disposable DNA or protein microarray analysis, metallic nanostructures need to be fabricated on the full area of a glass slide at low cost. We used a glancing angle deposition (GLAD) process to fabricate Ag nanorods on the whole area of glass slide to serve as an inexpensive and large-area metal-enhanced fl uorescence substrate. Th e GLAD is a physical vapor deposition process in which the substrate is placed at an angle of <15° between the evaporating fl ux and the substrate surface. When atomic mobility is limited, a self-shadowing eff ect during deposition results in a highly porous fi lm of isolated nanorods. One can obtain various lengths, densities and shapes of nanorod structures by controlling deposition time, glancing angle and in-plane rotation speed of substrate, respectively. To examine the feasibility of the proposed substrate for the microarray analysis and maximize the signal enhancement, Ag nanorods with diff erent lengths and shape were deposited on glass slides. A 10 nm thick Ni layer and a 40 nm thick Ag layer were sequentially deposited on the glass slide to improve adhesion between the Ag nanorods and the substrate before the GLAD process. To examine the enhancement factor of the GLAD MEF substrates, Streptavidin-conjugated Cy5 was dissolved in buff er solution at 100 ng per ml to 100 μg per ml and spotted onto the substrates. Aft er drying for 24 hours in a refrigerator, the fl uorescence signal was measured using a microarray scanner at an excitation wavelength of 635 nm. From the fl uorescence measurement experiments, the maximum signal enhancement of ~91x was obtained from the substrate with 750 nm long tilted nanorod structure.
Nazia Khatoon
Department of civil and environmental engineering Duke University, NC USA
Title: A NOVEL APPROACH TOWARD THE BIODEGRADATION OF XENOBIOTIC POLYMER
Biography:
Nazia Khatoon is a Ph.D student. At present working on the biodegradation project with Marc Deshusses at Duke universit department of civil and environmental engineering. She has published 4 papers in reputed journals
Abstract:
Polymeric compounds become challenging due to their persistent nature when released into the environment as a waste. Peroxidase enzymes play significant role in biodegradation of polymeric materials. Oxidative enzymes play significant role in biodegradation of recalcitrant materials. Fungi are important among microorganisms for production of extracellular enzymes. Peroxidase enzyme play significant role in biodegradation of polymeric materials. The present study aimed for production, molecular characterization and application of peroxidase for polymers degradation. Maximum enzyme production was observed in the presence of vertyl alcohol (8.76µl/100ml), urea (1.7 IU/ml). Statistical analysis indicate the significance of model for the optimization of the enzyme production on the basis of F value and P value <0.05. Purification of enzymes was done by column chromatography. The molecular weight estimation was carried out by SDS PAGE. A band of 46 KDa was observed for lignin peroxidase. Rate of biodegradation is 25% of polymer. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy of enzyme treated polymer revealed the structural changes as compared to control (without enzyme treatment. The significant change was observed in peak at wavelength 7866.09 cm-1 which attributes to C-H bonding. Degradation end product has no toxicity confirmed by phytotoxic and cytotoxic analysis. Application of enzyme on different substrate (polystyrene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride) indicates the different level of degradation. It can be concluded that biosynthesis of lignin peroxidase enzymes have the potential for biodegradability of recalcitrant plastic waste and can be used for plastic waste treatment at large scale.
Kaniz Fatema
Primeasia University, Bangladesh
Title: Microbiological quality assessment of handmade juice in street of the Dhaka city, Bangladesh
Biography:
Kaniz Fatema has completed her MS in Microbiology from Primeasia University, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Abstract:
The present study was conducted for bacteriological study of handmade juice on the street of Dhaka city. For this, total viable bacterial count (TVBC) isolation, purifi cation, Gram staining, selective isolation, result interpretation were determined in mango juice (Mangifera indica), apple juice (Malus domestica), orange juice (Citrus sinensis), malta juice (Helichrysum melitense) and lacchi. In such investigation highest TVBC (1.4×106) and (1.2×106) was observed in mango juice and Alo vera juice which is from Khilkhet (street) and and Sadarghat (street) and the lowest TVBC (9.0×105) was observed in malta juice which is collected from banana (1.2×106) and TVBC (9.0×105) was observed in Papaya from Banani. In conclusion, 10 types of selected isolate were selected depending on their growth, colony color and morphology for fi nal study. Enterobacter aerogenes was present in mango juice sample, Pseudomonas aeroginosa was present in apple juice sample, Salmonella Typhimurium was present in malta juice sample, Bacillus cereus was present in orange juice sample and Klebshilla pneumoniae was present in lacchi sample. While preparing these juices of diff erent street areas of Dhaka city it was not properly stored and not in properly handling condition. As a result we can say that these street juice product can cause serious health eff ect even death of human being due to presence of harmful pathogen.
Hayri ÅžEN
University of Trakya / Edirne Vocational School of Technical Sciences / Edirne/TURKEY
Title: The Importance of Purifying Textile Waste Water and Making It a Part of Nature Again
Biography:
My name is Hayri ÅžEN. I live in Edirne near Ä°stanbul. I am a Textile Lecturer in Edirne Vocational College of Technical Sciences. I joined many national and international conferences. In addition to this; I do academic consultancy to University The Green Crescent Club. In my free time I like listening to music and reading article. My favourite music is jazz. My favourite sport is swimming and athleticism. And I swim twice a week.. I like eating vegetables and meat.
Abstract:
Since the beginning of humanity, eating and drinking, as daily necessities, have been at vital importance for us. Water, especially with the construct in the last century that developments in textile industry caused to, enviromental pollution, water pollution and the need of purifying it, comes to the forefront.In textile industry, cleaning water contaminated by dyestuffs and chemicals can be realised thanks to purification. To carry outthis process, as can be guessed, causes a very high cost for the textile firms. To clean water conteminated in textile works from chemicals and dyestuffs and purify it, before giving it to nature, is highly important for all living beings in nature especially for microorganisms.In this study, we have laid emphasis on waste water contaminated in textile factories, purification of it, making it a part of nature again consequently protecting limited clean water supply on Earth and not giving any harm to living beings especially to microorganisms which are very important for the continuation of life.
Mustafa M Bob
Taibah University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Title: Aerobic granulation for wastewater treatment: performance evaluation at elevated temperature using real waste water
Biography:
Mustafa Bob has completed his PhD at the age of 35 years from The Ohio State University and he was a postdoctoral fellow with the National Research Council (NRC) in USA. He is currently an assistant professor at Taibah University in Saudi Arabia. He has published more than 10 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as a reviewer for a number of reputed journals.
Abstract:
Aerobic granulation is a novel environmental biotechnological process that has recently received the interest of researchers working in the area of biological wastewater treatment. Application of aerobic granular sludge (AGS) in treatment of wastewater using laboratory sequencing batch reactors (SBR) has shown that this technology is a promising technology in wastewater treatment. Th ese studies have demonstrated the fast settling properties of AGS which facilitate biomass retention. In addition, the studies demonstrated the presence of substrate profi les across the granule radius, which allows concurrent aerobic, anoxic and anaerobic processes into the same granule. To date, most of the research work on AGS has been carried out using synthetic wastewater at a temperature of 30 oC or lower and no research has been conducted to evaluate the performance of AGS at elevated temperature using real wastewater. In this research, the possibility of cultivating AGS by using SBR system in treating real domestic wastewater at high temperature (50 °C) was investigated. Th e samples of seed sludge were obtained from the wastewater treatment plant of Madinah, Saudi Arabia a city that has a desert-like climate with temperature reaching close to 50°C during summer time. All experiments were executed in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) with a complete cycle time of 3 h. Stable mature granules with average diameters between 2.0 and 5.0 mm and good biomass concentration of 5.8 g L−1 were observed in the bioreactor. Promising results in treatment of the domestic wastewater were achieved with good removal rates of 84.4 %, 99.6 % and 81.7 % for COD, ammonia (NH3) and total phosphorus (TP), respectively. Th e study demonstrated the formation capabilities of AGS in a single, high and slender column type-bioreactor at high temperature which is suitable to be applied in hot climate condition areas especially countries with tropical and desert like climates.