Day 2 :
Keynote Forum
Yoav Bashan
The Bashan Institute of Science, USA
Keynote: Synthetic mutualism between microalgae and plant growth promoting bacteria for tertiary waste water treatment
Time : 09.45-10.20
Biography:
Yoav Bashan is the President of The Bashan Institute of Science, Alabama, USA, The Bashan Foundation, Oregon, USA and a Distinguished Professor at CIBNORrnin Mexico. He has received his PhD from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel. He has published 371 scientifi c works, of which 216 were published in peerreviewrnjournals with high impact factors. He serves as an Editor and Editorial Board Member of 15 scientifi c journals, ad hoc Reviewer of an additional 235 scientifi crnjournals in 42 countries and 28 funding agencies. His studies were cited over 15,700 times and his H-index is 66.
Abstract:
An unusual combination of microalgae and bacteria was developed and tested for waste water treatment, using agriculturalrnplant growth-promoting bacteria to enhance the growth and nutrient-removing capacity of microalgae. Th e underlyingrnhypothesis assumes that, by creating an artifi cial stable association inside polymeric spheres, the bacteria enhance thernperformance of unicellular microalgae to absorb more contaminants from the waste water. Th is presentation focuses on ourrncurrent studies of removing nitrogen and phosphorus from contaminated water. Th is includes performance of the syntheticrnmutualism system that combines microalgae with bacteria to clean contaminated water in medium-scale autotrophic andrnheterotrophic bioreactors, mechanical and physiological interactions between water-treating agents (microalgae and bacteria),rnnatural microbial populations of contaminated water and eff ect of additives to further enhance the removal of pollutants, allrnwithout creating secondary pollution by the treatment.
- 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.
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.