Coliform Bacterial Populations Research Articles

Production of compost with biopesticide property from toxic weed Lantana: Quantification of alkaloids in compost and bacterial pathogen suppression

Toxic weed Lantana camara foliage was composted with cow dung in 2:1 and 1:1 ratio (v/v) and changes in physicochemical characteristics, and faecal coliform bacterial population (Escherichia coli and Salmonella) was estimated for 35 d. Results showed a significant increase in total N (1.48-1.69-folds), Paval (6.87–9.19-folds), and total K (1.08−1.23-folds) content, while a decrease in C/N ratio (1.87–2.13-folds) and total organic carbon (1.12−1.46-folds) after composting process. Germination index (GI) results (> 70 %) suggested the non-toxic property of Lantana compost against tested rapeseed mustard seeds. E. coli and Salmonella population reduced to the safe limit after 35 d composting. Compost extract (sterilized and non-sterilized) (from 2:1 setup) showed about 0.88 – 1.08-, 0.88 – 0.96-, 0.83 – 0.94-, and 0.79–1.08-folds higher inhibition in Xanthomonas citrus, Xanthomonas campestris, Erwinia carotovora, and Pseudomonas aerogenosa, respectively, indicating strong pathogen-inhibiting substances in Lantanacompost. GC–MS analysis of compost extract indicated the presence of isomers of several compounds of biocidal property – hexadecane (9-hexyl and 9-octyl); 2-tridecyl ester; eicosane; tetradecane, heptacosane (1-chloro- and 9-hexyl); heptadecane, octadecane, 3-ethyl-5-(2-ethylbutyl)-, heptacosane, tetradecane, 2,6,10-trimethyl-, etc.). Result revealed that Lantana compost could be used as biomanure with biopesticide properties for sustainable organic farming system.

Zinc\xa0phosphate-based nanoparticles as a novel antibacterial agent: in vivo study on rats after dietary exposure

BackgroundDevelopment of new nanomaterials that inhibit or kill bacteria is an important and timely research topic. For example, financial losses due to infectious diseases, such as diarrhea, are a major concern in livestock productions around the world. Antimicrobial nanoparticles (NPs) represent a promising alternative to antibiotics and may lower antibiotic use and consequently spread of antibiotic resistance traits among bacteria, including pathogens.ResultsFour formulations of zinc nanoparticles (ZnA, ZnB, ZnC, and ZnD) based on phosphates with spherical (ZnA, ZnB) or irregular (ZnC, ZnD) morphology were prepared. The highest in vitro inhibitory effect of our NPs was observed against Staphylococcus aureus (inhibitory concentration values, IC50, ranged from 0.5 to 1.6 mmol/L), followed by Escherichia coli (IC50 0.8–1.5 mmol/L). In contrast, methicillin resistant S. aureus (IC50 1.2–4.7 mmol/L) was least affected and this was similar to inhibitory patterns of commercial ZnO-based NPs and ZnO. After the successful in vitro testing, the in vivo study with rats based on dietary supplementation with zinc NPs was conducted. Four groups of rats were treated by 2,000 mg Zn/kg diet of ZnA, ZnB, ZnC, and ZnD, for comparison two groups were supplemented by 2,000 mg Zn/kg diet of ZnO-N and ZnO, and one group (control) was fed only by basal diet. The significantly higher (P < 0.05) Zn level in liver and kidney of all treated groups was found, nevertheless Zn NPs did not greatly influence antioxidant status of rats. However, the total aerobic and coliform bacterial population in rat feces significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in all zinc groups after 30 d of the treatment. Furthermore, when compared to the ZnO group, ZnA and ZnC nanoparticles reduced coliforms significantly more (P < 0.05).ConclusionsOur results demonstrate that phosphate-based zinc nanoparticles have the potential to act as antibiotic agents.

Effect of switch trimming on udder and teat hygiene of dairy cows

ABSTRACTThe study objective was to determine the effects of trimming the switch of dairy cows on teat-end bacterial counts and udder hygiene scores. Cows (n = 102) were blocked by days in milk, milk production, and parity and then assigned to (a) treatment (trimming of their tail switch using a commercially available trimmer), or (b) control (unaltered tails). Udder hygiene was recorded for cows on Days 0 (initiation of treatment), 32, and 64. A subset of cows (n = 21) was used to assess Streptococci and coliform bacterial populations on teat ends. Samples were collected by swabbing the left front teat end before milking on Days 0, 32, and 64 and were cultured within 24 hr of sampling. The GLIMMIX and PROC Frequency (SAS Version 9.3) were used to analyze data. There were no treatment effects of switch trimming on hygiene scores or bacterial counts. These findings suggest that udder hygiene may not be driven by tail status. Environmental and management factors, such as cleanliness, stall bedding, and stall design, may be more important contributing factors in maintaining udder health.

포장방법과 저장온도가 신선편이 양파의 품질 및 미생물 생장에 미치는 영향

Inappropriate storage of fresh-cut onions may result in losses of good quality. To understand storage conditions for shelf-life and quality of fresh-cut onions, The effect of packing type and storage temperature on the quality of fresh-cut onions was evaluated. Onions stored at 0℃ for 2 months were peeled off after removing root and shoot parts. Each three peeled onions were packed in a polyethylene film (PE, 50 μm) or in a polyethylene/polypropylene film (PE/PP, 100 μm) with vacuum treatment (70 cmHg) and stored at different temperatures (4, and 10℃) for 21 days. The following analyses were examined to evaluate the quality of fresh-cut onions: microbial population, surface color, titratable acidity and pH, respiration rate, and sensory quality. Fresh-cut onions stored at 4℃ showed less aerobic and coliform bacterial population than those stored at 10℃ during observation periods. Fungal populations of fresh-cut onions packed in PE film stored at 10℃ increased significantly after 13 days. E. coli was not detected in all treatments during whole storage periods. Surface colors of fresh-cut onions were not affected by packing type and storage temperature, however, color difference (ΔE) of fresh-cut onions in PE/PP film stored at 10℃ was significantly higher than those of other treatments. Titratable acidity of fresh-cut onions was not affected by packing type and storage temperature. However, pH of fresh-cut onions packed in PE film stored at 10℃ increased gradually over the whole storage period. Fresh-cut onions packed in PE film showed higher CO2 and less O2 concentrations at 10℃ than those at 4℃. The sensory quality of fresh-cut onions was significantly affected by packing type and storage temperature after 13 days. Particularly, vacuum treatment in PE/PP film showed better sensory quality than that of PE film package at the same storage temperature. It was concluded that vacuum treatment and storage at 4℃ could be effective to prolong the quality of fresh-cut onions up to 21 days.

Effect of lactulose supplementation on growth performance, intestinal histomorphology, cecal microbial population, and short-chain fatty acid composition of broiler chickens

This study investigated the effects of dietary lactulose supplementation on broiler growth performance, intestinal histomorphology, cecal microflora, and cecal short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentrations. A total of 245 one-day-old male broiler chickens were randomly assigned to 5 different treatments, with 7 replicates including 7 birds each. The birds received the same basal diet based on corn­-soybean meal, and lactulose was included in the diet at 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, or 0.8% at the expense of corn and/or soybean meal. The body weight gain (linear, P = 0.027) and feed conversion (linear, P = 0.003) from 0 to 21 d showed significant improvement as dietary lactulose was increased from 0.2 to 0.8%. However, dietary lactulose did not affect broiler performance at the end of the experiment (42 d). Furthermore, intestinal measurements and the goblet cell count of broilers fed a lactulose-containing diet differed from those of birds fed a diet that did not contain lactulose. In addition, a significant quadratic response in the Lactobacillus count (P ≤ 0.001) was observed at 42 d on increasing the level of lactulose. The cecal coliform bacterial population was not affected by the dietary treatments. Supplementation with lactulose significantly increased the concentrations of acetate, propionate, butyrate, and total SCFA measured on d 7 and d 42. In conclusion, inclusion of lactulose in the diet can enhance broiler performance and intestinal morphology by selectively stimulating intestinal microflora and increasing cecal SCFA concentrations.

Impact assessment of various parameters polluting Ganga water in Kolkata Region: a study for quality evaluation and environmental implication

The quality of sewage-sludge samples obtained in Kolkata region was evaluated. Both sewage water and sludge components were analyzed for a number of physico-chemical, microbiological parameters using standard laboratory procedures, some heavy metals by AAS method and pesticide contents by GC method. Some of the physical and chemical constituents of the samples are within the allowable levels while the rest are not. The samples are rich in nutrients and have suitable pH for agricultural uses. In terms of Electrical Conductivity and Sodium Adsorption Ratio, sewage water is not suitable for irrigation. Fecal and coliform bacterial population is high in all samples. Pesticide and heavy metals in some places are alarming. So sewage-sludge produced in Kolkata cannot be used for agricultural purpose without any treatment. Thus proper care, maintenance, treatment and disposal of sewage water and sludge are most vital and should be the prime thrust for the nation.

Microbial Assessment in School Foodservices and Recommendations for Food Safety Improvement

This study evaluated microbial food safety in school foodservices. Five school foodservices were randomly selected, and samples from water, cooking utensils, tableware, foodservice surroundings, and linen were collected in summer and winter (N=420). Tap and drinking water samples were collected, samples of food contact surfaces were collected by swab-kit, and samples for foodservice workers' hands and gloves were prepared by glove juice method. Aerobic plate count (APC) and coliform bacterial populations were enumerated on plate count agar (PCA) and desoxycholate lactose agar, respectively. The presence of Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus was also examined by biochemical identification tests. In addition, PCA agar for APCs and Baird-Parker agar for S. aureus were used to enumerate airborne microorganisms. Higher APCs (< 0 to 5.1 log CFU/mL) than acceptable level were generally observed in water samples, while low coliform counts were found in the samples. High APCs were enumerated in cooking utensils, foodservice workers, tableware, and food-service surroundings, and coliforms were also found in the samples for both seasons. The presence of Salmonella was found from only 10% of plastic glove samples (summer), and the presence of L. monocytogenes was not observed in all samples. S. aureus was detected in some of water, cooking utensils, tableware, employees, and foodservice surroundings, and E. coli was observed in cooking utensils (10% to 20%; summer). No obvious airborne bacteria were detected. These results showed that sanitation practice in school foodservices should be improved, and the results may be useful in microbial assessment of school foodservices.

Influence of a probiotic Enterococcus faecium strain on development of the immune system of sows and piglets

The influence of the probiotic bacterium Enterococcus faecium SF68 on the immune system and the intestinal colonization of pigs were determined in a feeding experiment with sows and piglets. Mucosal immunity of the developing piglets was monitored by isolation and detection of intestinal lymphocyte cell populations from the proximal jejunal epithelium and the continuous Peyers patches by the use of flow cytometry. The levels of intestinal IgA in both groups of piglets were compared, as well as total IgG in the serum of sows and piglets. Feces of the sows and intestinal contents of the piglets were taken for determination of total anaerobe and coliform bacterial counts in both probiotic and control groups. Villus length and depth of the crypts were measured in the jejunum of sacrificed piglets to monitor the development of the intestinal mucosal surface amplification. Total serum IgG of the sows appeared to be unaffected. Piglets of both groups showed similar IgG levels up to 5 weeks after birth with a slight tendency toward lower values in the probiotic group. At an age of 8 weeks the total IgG levels of the probiotic animals were significantly lower (p<0.01). No differences were observed in the populations of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the Peyers patches. However, the levels of cytotoxic T cells (CD8+) in the jejunal epithelium of piglets of the probiotic group were significantly reduced. The depth of the jejunal crypts and length of the villi were similar in both groups, suggesting the relative T-cell population differences were not due to alterations in the epithelial cell numbers. The total anaerobe and coliform bacterial populations were not significantly affected by the probiotic treatment, either in sows or in the piglets. However, a remarkable decline in the frequency of beta-haemolytic and O141 serovars of Escherichia coli was observed in the intestinal contents of probiotic piglets, suggesting an explanation for the reduction in cytotoxic T-cell populations.

SURVIVAL OF FECAL BACTERIA IN DAIRY COW MANURE

Bacterial pollution of water is impacted to a great extent by the ability of bacteria to survive in manure followingexcretion. We investigated the effects of environmental temperature (4C, 27C, and 41C) and manure moisture content(30%, 55%, and 83%) on the survival and release of indicator bacteria in dairy cow manure. Fresh manure samples of about60 g were packed to 12 mm depth in polystyrene dishes and held at controlled temperatures and moisture contents for up to103 days. Supernatant from a distilled-water extraction was enumerated for fecal bacteria (fecal coliforms, Escherichia coli,and fecal streptococci) by the membrane filtration method. Bacterial populations increased as much as 2.5 log10 (over 300)in the three days following excretion. Temperature had a significant overall effect on survival of all three fecal bacteria,whereas moisture content produced a consistent effect on fecal streptococci survival only. Fecal streptococci showed nosignificant die-off at any temperature or moisture content studied. In contrast, no measurable E. coli or fecal coliforms werefound in supernatant water samples from the 41C treatment after day 35. E. coli and fecal coliform populations for the 4Ctreatment at lower moisture content (30% and 55%) conditions were close to the detection limits after five weeks, butsignificant numbers of E. coli (2.34 104 cfu g-1 wet manure) and fecal coliforms (3.84 104 cfu g-1 wet manure) remainedfor the 4C treatment at 83% moisture content after 103 days. First-order die-off rate coefficients for E. coli were found tobe appropriate after day 3 for about a 3-week period and averaged 0.11 d-1 at 4C, 0.20 d-1 at 27C, and 0.32 d-1 at 41C.Results from this study suggest that barnyard, feedlot, and manure management practices that detain manure at highertemperatures (e.g., 41C) will decrease the E. coli and fecal coliform populations but not those of fecal streptococci. Coliformbacterial populations tested remained viable for long periods (>3 months) particularly at moderate temperature (27C) forany moisture level, and streptococci survived under all conditions studied.

Biochemical fingerprinting of coliform bacterial populations – comparisons between polluted river water and factory effluents

Bacteria from different pollution sources may consist of essentially the same species but with different strains predominating. Therefore, sub-typing of bacterial strains recovered in the polluted water and comparison with those present in possible pollution sources is a valuable tool for identification of the source. Since such studies require investigations of large numbers of isolates, simple laboratory methods combined with automated data evaluation and presentation are necessary. The Phene Plate (PhP) system for biochemical fingerprinting of bacteria is based on measurements of the kinetics of biochemical tests, performed in micro-plates. The system also includes mathematical models to calculate the diversity (Di) of the bacterial flora within samples, as well as the similarities between bacterial populations in different samples as the population similarity coefficient (Sp). We have used the PhP system to type coliform bacteria isolated from a polluted river in Sweden and from the outlets from three paper mills that were suspected contamination sources. From each of 27 river water samples and 8 samples from factory outlets, collected on eight sampling occasions, between 10 and 50 coliforms were typed, yielding altogether 1,027 isolates. The diversity among the bacteria in river water samples was generally high (mean Di = 0.95) compared with factory outlets (mean Di = 0.63) which usually were dominated by isolates belonging to a few PhP types. These PhP types were very rarely recovered from the river water samples which is also reflected in low similarities between bacterial populations in river water and factory outlets (mean Sp = 0.03). Thus the bacteria from factory outlets did not seem to have spread downstream. In contrast, bacterial populations from sampling sites close to each other in the river were more similar to each other (mean Sp 0.13), indicating the presence of several, diffuse contamination sources, possibly from animal or human faecal material.

Biochemical fingerprinting of coliform bacterial populations — comparisons between polluted river water and factory effluents

Bacteria from different pollution sources may consist of essentially the same species but with different strains predominating. Therefore, sub-typing of bacterial strains recovered in the polluted water and comparison with those present in possible pollution sources is a valuable tool for idenlification of the source. Since such studies require investigations of large numbers of isolates, simple laboratory methods combined with automated data evaluation and presentation are necessary. The Phene Plate (PhP) system for biochemical fingerprinting of bacteria is based on measurements of the kinetics of biochemical tests, performed in micro-plates. The system also includes mathematical models to calculate the diversity (Di) of the bacterial flora within samples, as well as the similarities between bacterial populations in different samples as the population similarity coefficient (Sp). We have used the NIP system to type coliform bacteria isolated from a polluted river in Sweden and from the outlets from three paper mills that were suspected contamination sources. From each of 27 river water samples and 8 samples from factory outlets, collected on eight Sampling occasions, between 10 and 50 coliforms were typed, yielding altogether 1,027 isolates. The diversity among the bacteria in river water samples was generally high (mean Di = 0.95) compared with factory Outlets (mean Di = 0.63) which usually were dominated by isolates belonging to a few NIP types. These PhP types were very rarely recovered from the river water samples which is also reflected in low similarities between bacterial populations in river water and factory outlets (mean Sp = 0.03). Thus the bacteria from factory outlets did not seem to have spread downstream. In contrast, bacterial populations from sampling sites close to each other in the river were more similar to each other (mean Sp 0.13), indicating the presence of several, diffuse contamination sources, possibly from animal or human faecal material.

The PhP RS system. A simple microplate method for studying coliform bacterial populations

Biochemical fingerprinting with the PhP system is based on the automatic evaluation of the kinetics of biochemical tests, performed in micro plates. The method has previously mostly been used for epidemiological studies of bacterial strains. In the present study, a simplified test using 11 biochemical reagents (the PhP RS plate) was developed and evaluated for ecological studies of coliform bacterial populations. The system yielded a simple performance, high reproducibility and a high discrimination. The PhP RS plate was found to be useful for ecological investigations involving larger numbers of isolates, and may be used for studying coliform bacterial populations from e.g. water and intestinal floras.

Phenotypic Diversity and Stability of the Intestinal Coliform Flora in Piglets During the First 3 Months of Age

The intestinal coliform bacterial populations in six piglets and their sows from two litters in the same stable were studied by the aid of an automated system for biochemical fingerprinting (The PhenePlate, or PhP system). Faecal samples from sows were collected once a week until weaning, and from piglets once a week during their first 3 mth of life. Altogether 1248 coliform isolates from 52 faecal samples were studied. The phenotypical diversity of the coliform bacteria in each faecal sample was measured as Simpson’s diversity index (D i ), and the similarities between the bacteria in different samples were measured as population similarity coefficients (S p ). The D i of the sows was initially high, but decreased in one sow during an outbreak of diarrhoea which occurred during week 3 of the study. The D i of the piglets varied between samples, and showed no tendency to increase with age. Two piglets included in the study died during the diarrhoeal outbreak, and they generally carried intestinal floras showing lower D i during their first 3 wk of life than those which survived (mean value 0.454 versus 0.744). The coliform population within each piglet was usually quite stable before the diarrhoeal outbreak, but in all piglets the population was drastically changed during and after the outbreak. Piglets within each litter shared similar coliform populations during the first week of life, but piglets from different litters had no coliforms in common. On day 75, the piglets were removed from their sows and mixed with others in different litters, and after that coliform populations of piglets from different sows showed a tendency to become more similar to each other. Samples collected during the diarrhoeal outbreak from different piglets did not contain similar coliform populations which is a strong indication that the aetiological agent of the outbreak was not any coliform bacterium. The present study shows a useful way to investigate intestinal bacteria in both man and animals. The methods are very simple to use, and fully computerised data treatment makes it possible to study large numbers of bacterial isolates. Keywords - Intestinal bacteria; Coliforms; Piglets; Diversity; Stability.

Phenotypic Diversity and Stability of the Intestinal Coliform Flora in Piglets During the First 3 Months of Age

The intestinal coliform bacterial populations in six piglets and their sows from two litters in the same stable were studied by the aid of an automated system for biochemical fingerprinting (The PhenePlate, or PhP system). Faecal samples from sows were collected once a week until weaning, and from piglets once a week during their first 3 mth of life. Altogether 1248 coliform isolates from 52 faecal samples were studied. The phenotypical diversity of the coliform bacteria in each faecal sample was measured as Simpson's diversity index (Di), and the similarities between the bacteria in different samples were measured as population similarity coefficients (Sp). The Di of the sows was initially high, but decreased in one sow during an outbreak of diarrhoea which occurred during week 3 of the study. The Di of the piglets varied between samples, and showed no tendency to increase with age. Two piglets included in the study died during the diarrhoeal outbreak, and they generally carried intestinal floras showing lower Di during their first 3 wk of life than those which survived (mean value 0.454 versus 0.744). The coliform population within each piglet was usually quite stable before the diarrhoeal outbreak, but in all piglets the population was drastically changed during and after the outbreak. Piglets within each litter shared similar coliform populations during the first week of life, but piglets from different litters had no coliforms in common. On day 75, the piglets were removed from their sows and mixed with others in different litters, and after that coliform populations of piglets from different sows showed a tendency to become more similar to each other. Samples collected during the diarrhoeal outbreak from different piglets did not contain similar coliform populations which is a strong indication that the aetiological agent of the outbreak was not any coliform bacterium. The present study shows a useful way to investigate intestinal bacteria in both man and animals. The methods are very simple to use, and fully computerised data treatment makes it possible to study large numbers of bacterial isolates.

Biochemical fingerprinting of water coliform bacteria, a new method for measuring phenotypic diversity and for comparing different bacterial populations

A simple, automated microplate system for biochemical characterization of water isolates can be used to obtain fingerprints of the bacterial flora from various water samples. Mathematical models for calculating the diversities and similarities between bacterial populations are described for such fingerprints. The diversity may give information on whether an indigenous or allochthonous flora is present, and the similarities between bacterial populations, as calculated by using a population similarity coefficient (Sp), may indicate contaminations between different water samples. The system was demonstrated on coliform bacterial populations from various water samples, with or without suspected intercontamination. For unrelated water samples, the Sps were close to 0, whereas repeated samples of the same source showed Sps of 0.64 to 0.74. The Sp values from several water samples were also clustered to form a dendrogram, thus indicating the relative similarities between the bacterial populations to confirm suspected common sources of pollution.

Bacteriological water quality of a multi-use catchment basin on the Avalon Peninsula, Newfoundland

Baseline investigations of coliform bacterial populations in the Topsail-Manuels drainage system (a multiple land-use system) reveal several aquatic regions which are indicative of land usage. Seasonal fluctuations in population numbers were observed in all sample sites and appear to be related to such physical parameters as precipitation and pH. Total coliform numbers were found to be positively correlated with surface land flushing as were fecal coliform numbers but to a lesser extent. Coliform counts appeared to be most influenced by the geology and physiography of the area as well as by land occupancy and usage.

Occurrence of multiple-antibiotic-resistant enteric bacteria in domestic sewage and oxidation lagoons.

The coliform bacterial population in the Grand Forks, N.Dak. sewage system was examined for multiple-antibiotic-resistant organisms over a 1-year period. Multiple-antibiotic-resistant coliforms were found to be common in the sewage, and their numbers remained fairly constant relative to the total coliform population throughout the year. Resistance to kanamycin, tetracycline, and ampicillin was found to be transferable at variable rates. Transfer rates were found to be temperature sensitive and were optimal at 35 degrees C. Although 75% of the multiple-antibiotic-resistant coliforms were capable of transferring resistance at some level, only 25% were capable of transferring resistance at rates greater than 10(-3) transconjugants per initial donor.