Coliform Contamination Research Articles

Prevalence of contagious and environmental mastitis-causing bacteria in bulk tank milk and its relationships with milking practices of dairy cattle herds in São Miguel Island (Azores)

This study aimed to assess the degree of contamination of bulk tank milk (BTM) by Staphylococcus spp. and coliform bacteria and to identify major milking practices that help perpetuate them in dairy cattle herds in São Miguel Island. In July 2014, BTM was sampled and a survey concerning local milking practices was conducted on 100 herds. Semi quantitative multiplex polymerase chain reaction detected coagulase-negative staphylococci, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and other coliform bacteria (Klebsiella oxytoca, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Serratia marcescens) in 100, 75, 59, and 35 % of BTM, respectively. According to multivariable univariate models, on herds not using hot water for cleaning the milking machine and teat liners, there was at least 3.4 more odds (P < 0.01) to have S. aureus or coliform bacteria contamination in BTM. The likelihood of finding S. aureus in BTM was higher (P < 0.001) on herds without high hygiene during milking, when milking mastitic cows at the end, on abrupt cessation of milking at dry-off, and official milk control implementation. The glove use also favored (odds ratio (OR) 5.8; P < 0.01) the detection of coliform bacteria in BTM. Poor milking practices identified in this study should be avoided in order to decrease S. aureus and coliform bacteria contamination of BTM. Other factors associated with milk quality in São Miguel Island also should be further investigated.

A Pilot Study to Examine the Disparities in Water Quality between Predominantly Haitian Neighborhoods and Dominican Neighborhoods in Two Cities in the Dominican Republic.

Worldwide, diarrheal disease is a leading cause of death affecting over 1.7 million individuals annually. Much of this can be attributed to lack of clean water, sanitation and hygiene. Nearly all of these deaths occur in countries with developing economies. This public health problem is apparent in the island of Hispaniola; the island that is shared by Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Significant gaps in income between the countries have resulted in Haitians migrating into the Dominican Republic. While there has been increased migration into the Dominican Republic, many of the neighborhoods remain segregated. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted at 49 sites in the Dominican Republic. Samples were classified as being from a Haitian neighborhood or Dominican neighborhood and analyzed for microbial contamination. Overall, Haitian neighborhoods were found to have statistically significantly higher levels of contamination of both coliform and E. coli. The odds of having E. coli contaminated water in Haitian neighborhoods are 4.25 times as high as Dominican neighborhoods. The odds of having coliform contaminated water in Haitian neighborhoods are 4.78 times as high as Dominican neighborhoods. This study provides evidence of the disparity in access to clean drinking water for Haitian immigrants and highlights the need for further investigation.

ASSESSMENT OF GROUNDWATER QUALITY USING RS AND GIS TECHNIQUES BASED ON MICROBIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL MEASUREMENTS IN EL-ARISH AREA, NORTH SINAI, EGYPT

Groundwater quality evaluation in developing countries has become a critical issue due to fresh water scarcity. Groundwater is a valuable resource in Egypt, including Sinai, and it is a vital source for drinking water. It is necessary to consider the effects of land use change on groundwater resources when making land use decisions. Landsat-8 was used to generate land use/land cover map using ENVI 5.1 program using 20 well water samples collected from El-Arish area, North Sinai. Four classes were identified: barren land, vegetation, sand dunes and built up area. A GIS-based model was developed to assess groundwater contamination in the study area and its hazard on health and irrigation. A spatial prediction maps showing the potential hazard areas and area at risk due to contaminations was developed using kriging method on Arc GIS 10.2 program. The results show that some of wells were at risk and contaminated with E. coli and heavy metals. In microbiological examinations (E. coli examination as indicator on coliform contamination) well number 3 and 13 recorded high contamination, Well No. 1, 7 and 12 recorded moderate, two wells (9 and 16) have low contamination, while the rest wells have no E. coli detection. Moreover, the result were compared with World Health Organization and Food and Agriculture Organization standards; Pb, U, Mn and Cr were above the WHO limits for drinking, Se was above FAO limits for irrigation purposes. Therefore, more precaution should be considered in order to use this particular water in specified area for both drinking and irrigation purposes.

Red cabbage yield, heavy metal content, water use and soil chemical characteristics under wastewater irrigation.

The objective of this 2-year field study was to evaluate the effects of drip irrigation with urban wastewaters reclaimed using primary (filtration) and secondary (filtration and aeration) processes on red cabbage growth and fresh yield, heavy metal content, water use and efficiency and soil chemical properties. Filtered wastewater (WW1), filtered and aerated wastewater (WW2), freshwater and filtered wastewater mix (1:1 by volume) (WW3) and freshwater (FW) were investigated as irrigation water treatments. Crop evapotranspiration decreased significantly, while water use efficiency increased under wastewater treatments compared to FW. WW1 treatment had the lowest value (474.2 mm), while FW treatments had the highest value (556.7 mm). The highest water use efficiency was found in the WW1 treatment as 8.41 kg m(-3), and there was a twofold increase with regard to the FW. Wastewater irrigation increased soil fertility and therefore red cabbage yield. WW2 treatment produced the highest total fresh yield (40.02 Mg ha(-1)). However, wastewater irrigation increased the heavy metal content in crops and soil. Cd content in red cabbage heads was above the safe limit, and WW1 treatment had the highest value (0.168 mg kg(-1)). WW3 treatment among wastewater treatments is less risky in terms of soil and crop heavy metal pollution and faecal coliform contamination. Therefore, WW3 wastewater irrigation for red cabbage could be recommended for higher yield and water efficiency with regard to freshwater irrigation.

Assessment of the climate change impacts on fecal coliform contamination in a tidal estuarine system.

Climate change is one of the key factors affecting the future microbiological water quality in rivers and tidal estuaries. A coupled 3D hydrodynamic and fecal coliform transport model was developed and applied to the Danshuei River estuarine system for predicting the influences of climate change on microbiological water quality. The hydrodynamic and fecal coliform model was validated using observational salinity and fecal coliform distributions. According to the analyses of the statistical error, predictions of the salinity and the fecal coliform concentration from the model simulation quantitatively agreed with the observed data. The validated model was then applied to predict the fecal coliform contamination as a result of climate change, including the change of freshwater discharge and the sea level rise. We found that the reduction of freshwater discharge under climate change scenarios resulted in an increase in the fecal coliform concentration. The sea level rise would decrease fecal coliform distributions because both the water level and the water volume increased. A reduction in freshwater discharge has a negative impact on the fecal coliform concentration, whereas a rising sea level has a positive influence on the fecal coliform contamination. An appropriate strategy for the effective microbiological management in tidal estuaries is required to reveal the persistent trends of climate in the future.

Coliform Contamination of Peri-urban Grown Vegetables and Potential Public Health Risks: Evidence from Kumasi, Ghana.

Peri-urban vegetable farming in Ghana is an important livelihood activity for an increasing number of people. However, increasing quality and public health concerns have been raised, partly because freshwater availability for irrigation purposes is a major constraint. This paper investigated on-farm vegetable contamination and potential health risks using samples of lettuce, spring onions and cabbage randomly selected from 18 vegetable farms in peri-urban Kumasi, Ghana. Vegetable samples were tested for total coliform, fecal coliform, Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. bacteria contamination using the Most Probable Number method. Results show high contamination levels of total and fecal coliforms, and Escherichia coli bacteria in all 18 vegetable samples. The mean total coliform/100 ml concentration for spring onions, lettuce and cabbage were 9.15 × 10(9), 4.7 × 10(7) and 8.3 × 10(7) respectively. The mean fecal coliform concentration for spring onions, lettuce and cabbage were also 1.5 × 10(8), 4.15 × 10(7) and 2.15 × 10(7) respectively, while the mean Escherichia coli bacteria contamination for spring onions, lettuce and cabbage were 1.4 × 10(8), 2.2 × 10(7) and 3.2 × 10(7) respectively. The level of total coliform, fecal coliform and Escherichia coli bacteria contamination in all the vegetable samples however declined as the distance between the main water source (Wiwi River) and farms increases. Nonetheless, all contamination levels were well above acceptable standards, and could therefore pose serious public health risks to consumers. Increased education and supervision of farmers, as well as public health and food hygiene education of consumers, are critical to reducing on-farm vegetable contamination and the health risks associated with consumption of such vegetables.

Review of Risk Status of Groundwater Supply Wells by Tracing the Source of Coliform Contamination

Coliform source tracking was undertaken on 48 water sources of which 42 are potable in 26 water supply systems spread across South Australia. The water sources in the study vary from unprotected springs in creek beds to deep confined aquifers. The frequency analysis of historical coliform detections indicate that aquifer types, depth to water and casing depth are important considerations; whilst maintaining well integrity and the presence of low permeable clay layers above the production zone are the dominant parameters for minimizing coliform contamination of water supply wells. However, in karst and fractured rock aquifers, pathways for coliform transport exist, as evidenced in the &gt;200 MPN/100 mL level of coliform detection. Data indicate that there is no compelling evidence to support the contention that the wells identified as low risk are contaminated through geological strata and clay barriers. However, data strongly supports the suggestion that coliform detection from sample taps and wellheads stem from the surrounding groundwater and soil-plant sources as a result of failed well integrity, or potentially from coliform bacteria that can persist within biofilms formed on well casings, screens, pump columns and pumps. Coliform sub-typing results show that most coliform bacteria detected in town water supply wells are associated with the soil-water-plant system and are ubiquitous in the environment: Citrobacter spp. (65%), Enterobacter spp. (63%), Pantoea spp. (17%), Serratia spp. (19%), Klebsiella spp. (34%), and Pseudomonas spp. (10%). Overall, 70% of wells harbor detectable thermotolerant coliforms (TTC) with potentially 36% of species of animal origin, including Escherichia coli species found in 12% of wells.

Risiko Kontaminasi Bakteriologis Pada Sarana Air Bersih Di Desa Baruh Tabing Kecamatan Banjang

Abstract: The bacteriological contamination risk of clean water facilities in Desa Baruh Tabing, Banjang Sub district. The Indonesian government as part of the population of the world is committed to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDG), particularly in the field of Water Supply and Sanitation (WSS) which lowers the number of people who do not have access to drinking water and basic sanitation by 50% in 2015. However, drinking water coverage in 2010 amounted to 48.8% for the physical. This study aims to determined differences in the bacteriological quality of water is based on the type of water supply system in the Desa Baruh Tabing at Banjang’s Puskesmas working area. Using a cross sectional study design. A sample of 9 pieces of SAB with the sampling method performed Saturation Sampling. The sampling period was done three (3) times in one month on each of clean water facilities to be checked, so the total number of water samples of 27 samples. Analysis used ANOVA test. The results showed no significant difference between the numbers of clean water facilities with p = 0.010 at α = 0.05; bacteriological quality (number of coliform) the highest number is 1,898, while the lowest is zero. For the average value of the highest coliform number 1,898 on Dug wells. While the risk of coliform contamination in water supply facilities in the high category as much as 44.4% and 11.1% very high category. To keep the risk of coliform contamination of the water supply facilities, monitoring is done periodically by the authorities. Keywords: the risk of contamination; bacteriological; clean water facilities

Environmental monitoring of bacterial contamination and antibiotic resistance patterns of the fecal coliforms isolated from Cauvery River, a major drinking water source in Karnataka, India.

The present study focuses prudent elucidation of microbial pollution and antibiotic sensitivity profiling of the fecal coliforms isolated from River Cauvery, a major drinking water source in Karnataka, India. Water samples were collected from ten hotspots during the year 2011-2012. The physiochemical characteristics and microbial count of water samples collected from most of the hotspots exhibited greater biological oxygen demand and bacterial count especially coliforms in comparison with control samples (p ≤ 0.01). The antibiotic sensitivity testing was performed using 48 antibiotics against the bacterial isolates by disk-diffusion assay. The current study showed that out of 848 bacterial isolates, 93.51% (n = 793) of the isolates were found to be multidrug-resistant to most of the current generation antibiotics. Among the major isolates, 96.46% (n = 273) of the isolates were found to be multidrug-resistant to 30 antibiotics and they were identified to be Escherichia coli by 16S rDNA gene sequencing. Similarly, 93.85% (n = 107), 94.49% (n = 103), and 90.22% (n = 157) of the isolates exhibited multiple drug resistance to 32, 40, and 37 antibiotics, and they were identified to be Enterobacter cloacae, Pseudomonas trivialis, and Shigella sonnei, respectively. The molecular studies suggested the prevalence of bla TEM genes in all the four isolates and dhfr gene in Escherichia coli and Sh. sonnei. Analogously, most of the other Gram-negative bacteria were found to be multidrug-resistant and the Gram-positive bacteria, Staphylococcus spp. isolated from the water samples were found to be methicillin and vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. This is probably the first study elucidating the bacterial pollution and antibiotic sensitivity profiling of fecal coliforms isolated from River Cauvery, Karnataka, India.

Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)모델 개발을 위한 부추 및 생산환경에서의 위해요소 조사

부추의 위해요소관리를 위한 GAP 모델 개발에 필요한 기초 자료로 활용하기 위해 부추 생산과정을 재배전 단계, 재배단계 및 수확 포장단계로 나누어 재배환경 (토양, 용수), 부추, 개인위생 시료에 대해 위생지표세균, 병원성 미생물, 곰팡이의 오염도를 조사하였다. 위생지표 세균 중 일반세균은 토양 6.4~6.7 log CFU/g, 부추 4.6~5.1 log CFU/g, 개인위생 중 손과 장갑에서 각각 최대 3.3 및 5.4 log CFU/hand or <TEX>$cm^2$</TEX>으로 검출되었고, 그 외의 시료에서는 2.7 log CFU/g (or mL, hand, <TEX>$100cm^2$</TEX>) 이하로 검출되었다. 대장균군은 토양 3.9~4.2 log CFU/g, 부추 4.8~5.0 log CFU/g으로 부추에서 더 높은 수준으로 검출되었고, 대장균은 모든 시료에서 불검출 되었다. 병원성 미생물의 경우 B. cereus만 용수를 제외한 시료에서 0.5~4.6 log CFU/g (or hand, <TEX>$100cm^2$</TEX>) 수준으로 검출되었다. 곰팡이의 경우도 용수와 일부 작업도구를 제외한 시료에서 2.1~3.8 log CFU/g (or hand, <TEX>$100cm^2$</TEX>) 수준으로 검출되었다. 전반적으로 토양과 닿아 있는 부추에서의 미생물 오염도가 높게 확인되었으며, 이는 비교적 미생물의 오염도가 높은 토양으로부터 교차오염이 발생하였기 때문인 것으로 판단된다. 따라서 부추의 생물학적 위해요소에 대한 안전성 확보를 위해서는 토양 관리가 중요할 것으로 생각 된다. This study is to investigate microbiological hazards which can be used as fundamental data to adequately control leeks hazards and develop leeks GAP model for those who want to get GAP system. The microbiological investigations on cultivation environments (soil and water), crops (leeks), personal hygiene (workers' hands, clothes and gloves) and working tools (boxes) have been conducted for one year, so the period was classified under non-cultivation, cultivation, and post harvest. Total bacteria was detected from soil (4.0~6.7 log CFU/g), leeks (4.6~5.1 log CFU/g), hands (ND~3.3 log CFU/hand) and gloves (<TEX>$ND{\sim}5.4\;log\;CFU/cm^2$</TEX>) while nothing was detected from the other samples. The coliform contamination of leeks (4.8~5.0 log CFU/g) was more high than that of soil (3.9~4.2 log CFU/g). In case of foodborne pathogens, only B. cereus was detected at the level of 0.5~4.6 log CFU/g (or hand, <TEX>$100cm^2$</TEX>). Fungi was observed at the level of 2.1~3.8 log CFU/g (or hand, <TEX>$100cm^2$</TEX>) excepting water and some working tools. These results demonstrate that the contamination of leeks is comparatively higher than that of soil sample. The reason may be the cross-contamination by biological hazards presenting on soil. Therefore, it is necessary to properly control soil and fertilizer for safety against biological hazards.

A study of low temperature inactivation of fecal coliforms in electrolyte solutions using hot air bubbles

A novel method to inactivate fecal coliforms in aqueous solutions, using a stream of hot air bubbles, without heating the solution above about 50°C was studied in this work. Initially, it was found that at high salt concentrations (e.g. 0.15 M NaCl), where bubble coalescence is inhibited, modest but consistent coliform inactivation rates were obtained for a range of fecal coliform contamination levels. That is, the coliform densities drop at a rate of 4% per min over the range 550–14,000 CFU/100 mL. More importantly, an analysis of the likely mechanisms involved in the inactivation process led to the use of lower level salt concentrations, targeted specifically at a reduction in the repulsive interaction forces between typical coliforms and hot air bubbles, rather than at bubble coalescence inhibition. The results obtained support the view that surface forces can strongly influence the coliform inactivation rate and that the addition of low concentrations of, for example, CaCl2, can increase inactivation levels by more than 1,000 times, without affecting bubble coalescence and bubble size.

Casca de ovo como fonte de cálcio para humanos: composição mineral e análise microbiológica

Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a composição mineral de diferentes tipos de cascas de ovo, bem como a segurança microbiológica de amostras submetidas a diferentes métodos de higienização. Para a obtenção do pó de casca de ovo, as cascas foram lavadas, higienizadas, secas em estufa e trituradas em moinho. Cascas de ovo de granja (criação confinada), de coloração branca e vermelha, e cascas de ovo coloniais (caipira), provenientes da região central do Rio Grande do Sul, foram comparadas quanto a sua composição mineral. O Ca, mineral predominante na casca de ovo, se manteve em concentrações semelhantes nas diferentes amostras (cerca de 365mg g-1). As cascas de ovo de granja apresentaram maior concentração de Mg e menor concentração de Sr que as cascas de ovo coloniais. Não foram encontradas quantidades significativas de Fe, Cr, Mn, Mo, Ni, Se, Al, Cd e Pb nas amostras analisadas. Adicionalmente, tanto amostras higienizadas com imersão em hipoclorito e posterior fervura em água, quanto amostras nas quais a imersão em hipoclorito foi suprimida, não apresentaram contaminação por coliformes, estafilococos ou salmonela. Os resultados indicam que a casca de ovo pode ser utilizada na nutrição humana, já que é rica em Ca, não apresenta contaminação por metais tóxicos e, se processada de forma adequada, apresenta boa qualidade higiênico-sanitária

Fresh Steam-Flaked Corn in Cattle Feedlots Is an Important Site for Fecal Coliform Contamination by House Flies

House flies are a common pest at food animal facilities, including cattle feedlots. Previously, house flies were shown to play an important role in the ecology of Escherichia coli O157:H7; house flies in cattle feedlots carried this zoonotic pathogen and were able to contaminate cattle through direct contact and/or by contamination of drinking water and feed. Because house flies aggregate in large numbers on fresh ( # 6 h) steam-flaked corn (FSFC) used in cattle feed, the aim of this study was to assess FSFC in a cattle feedlot as a potentially important site of fecal coliform contamination by house flies. House flies and FSFC samples were collected, homogenized, and processed for culturing of fecal coliforms on membrane fecal coliform agar. Selected isolates were identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and representative isolates from each phylogenetic group were genotyped by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Fecal coliforms were undetectable in FSFC shortly (0 h) after flaking; however, in summer, after 4 to 6 h, the concentrations of fecal coliforms ranged from 1.9 × 10(3) to 3.7 × 10(4) CFU/g FSFC (mean, 1.1 ± 3.0 × 10(4) CFU/g). House flies from FSFC carried between 7.6 × 10(2) and 4.1 × 10(6) CFU of fecal coliforms per fly (mean, 6.0 ± 2.3 × 10(5) CFU per fly). Fecal coliforms were represented by E. coli (85.1%), Klebsiella spp. (10.6%), and Citrobacter spp. (4.3%). Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis demonstrated clonal matches of E. coli and Klebsiella spp. between house flies and FSFC. In contrast, in winter and in the absence of house flies, the contamination of corn by fecal coliforms was significantly (∼10-fold) lower. These results indicate that FSFC is an important site for bacterial contamination by flies and possible exchange of E. coli and other bacteria among house flies. Further research is needed to evaluate the potential use of screens or blowers to limit the access of house flies to FSFC and therefore their effectiveness in preventing bacterial contamination.

Impacts of Leachate Percolation on Ground Water Quality: A Case Study of Dhanbad City

&lt;div&gt; &lt;p&gt;This paper presents an assessment of the impact of uncontrolled and unscientific disposal of MSW on ground water in Dhanbad city, India. In this study, ground water quality around municipal solid waste disposal sites was investigated. Ground water quality analysis was carried out on samples collected at various distances from two disposal sites. The study has revealed that the ground water quality near dumping sites does not conform to the drinking water quality standards as per IS:10500. The impacts of indiscriminate dumping activity on ground water appeared most clearly as high concentrations of total dissolved solids, electrical conductivity, chlorides, chemical oxygen demand, and sulphates. High amount of metals like Na, K, Ca, Mg, Cd, Cu, Ni, Fe, Zn and Mn has also been detected in the groundwater samples near dumping area. Leachate characterization study also reveals high potential for groundwater contamination. Presence of feacal coliform contamination in groundwater samples indicates potential health risk for individuals exposed to this water.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

Coliform risk assessment through use of the clam Anomalocardia brasiliana as animal sentinel for shellfish harvesting areas in Brazil's northeast.

Outbreaks of food-borne diseases related to consumption of contaminated shellfish have been reported in many countries, but not in Brazil, possibly due to deficient reporting. Here we investigated the suitability of the clam Anomalocardia brasiliana as an animal sentinel for coliform monitoring in shellfish harvesting areas of Brazil's northeast. Samples of shellfish meats (40 clams per sample; n = 8 per collection) were collected at random from April 2009 through March 2010 in the bay area of Mangue Seco (state of Pernambuco). The numbers of thermotolerant coliforms were analyzed through the most probable number technique, and these contamination levels were tentatively correlated with the precipitation recorded on the day of sampling or 24 to 48h beforehand. A. brasiliana shellfish meats from local retail shops (250g per sample/ n = 3 per market) sold frozen were also investigated from August 2010 through June 2011. We found that the highest coliform contamination levels were correlated with recent rainfall events, limited to 24h before sampling. However, irrespective of the rainfall level, the mean contamination above the Brazilian legal threshold of < 3 × 10(2) MPN/ 100g for shellfish harvesting areas ranged from 18.7 to 93.7% of samples analyzed monthly. Additionally, a large number of samples obtained from retail shops were also highly contaminated by coliforms during rainy periods, and therefore were not proper for human consumption. We conclude that A. brasiliana can be successfully used to monitor the contamination levels of coliforms in shellfish harvesting areas in Brazil's northeast coast.

Contamination of Tomatoes with Coliforms and Escherichia coli on Farms and in Markets of Northwest Nigeria

Although recent reports indicated that produce contamination with foodborne pathogens is widespread in Nigeria, the sources and magnitude of microbial contamination of fruits and vegetables on farms and in markets have not been thoroughly identified. To ascertain possible pathways of contamination, the frequency and magnitude of coliform and Escherichia coli contamination of tomatoes produced in northwest Nigeria was assessed on farms and in markets. Eight hundred twenty-six tomato fruit samples and 36 irrigation water samples were collected and assessed for fecal indicator organisms. In addition, the awareness and use of food safety practices by tomato farmers and marketers were determined. Median concentration of coliforms on all field- and market-sourced tomato fruit samples, as well as in irrigation water sources, in Kaduna, Kano, and Katsina states exceeded 1,000 most probable number (MPN) per g. Median E. coli counts from 73 (17%) of 420 field samples and 231 (57%) of 406 market tomato fruit samples exceeded 100 MPN/g. Median E. coli concentrations on tomato fruits were higher (P < 0.01) in the rainy season (2.45 Log MPN/g), when irrigation was not practiced than in the dry (1.10 Log MPN/g) and early dry (0.92 Log MPN/g) seasons. Eighteen (50%) of 36 irrigation water samples had E. coli counts higher than 126 MPN/100 ml. Median E. coli contamination on market tomato fruit samples (2.66 Log MPN/g) were higher (P < 0.001) than those from tomatoes collected on farms (0.92 Log MPN/g). Farmers and marketers were generally unaware of the relationship between food safety practices and microbial contamination on fresh produce. Good agricultural practices pertaining to food safety on farms and in local markets were seldom used. Adoption of food safety practices on-farm, during transport, and during marketing could improve the microbial quality of tomatoes available to the public in this region of the world.

A Study on Water Quality Parameters of Water Supply in Sylhet City Corporation Area

An investigation was carried out to assess the water quality parameters of water supplied by Sylhet City Corporation (SCC).The supplied water quality is at risk to deteriorate during its flow through the delivery system and/or due to the possibility of high elemental concentration in ground water. In SCC, there are 23 pumps available that continually supply water for city dwellers. The parameter analyzed are like pH, turbidity, hardness, chloride, TDS (Total dissolved solid), arsenic, iron, FC (Fecal Coliform) and TC (Total Coliform). All results are compared with the World Health Organization (WHO), Bangladesh Standard (BD) and the Indian Standard Institute (ISI).The investigation discovers that the value of turbidity and iron in the location of Christian Mission designated by S-11 crosses the all three standard. The measurement of TDS and chloride shows that the values are within the safe limit. Analysis of arsenic and FC water quality parameter revealed that there are no arsenic and fecal coliform contamination. The water treatment facilities of SCC have to be enhanced; necessary steps should be taken to reduce the contamination and adequate treatment facility should be promoted.

Bacteriological Assessment of Drinking Water Sources of Uttarakhand, India

Bacteriological monitoring is a valuable assessment key for water quality analyses besides the physico-chemical parameters. The present study compared the water quality for total coliform and fecal coliform bacteria in raw and supply (after treatment) major drinking water sources of all 13 districts of Uttarakhand state and also highlights the potential of treatment being adopted. The results of this bacteriological analysis have clearly indicated that the raw water sources in both Garhwal and Kumaun regions were more contaminated as compared to supply water sources. However, supply water sources of Kumaun region are less contaminated with respect to Garhwal region. It reveals that the adequate treatment is being applied before the municipal water supply in Kumaun region and significant disparity is found in the efficiency of water treatment processes in Garhwal region. The drinking water sources of Haridwar and Bageshwar districts were found less contaminated among all the districts of Garhwal and Kumaun regions, respectively. Moreover, the percentage distribution of raw and supply water sources at selected sites affected by coliform contamination has also been reported herein.

Microbiological detection of bacteria in animal products seized in baggage of international air passengers to Brazil

Airline travel favours the transmission of diseases, given the short time it takes to travel long distances. In this study, animal products without health certificates seized in international air passengers’ baggage at Guarulhos (GRU) and Galeão (GIG) airports in Brazil underwent a microbiological evaluation. Analyses (1610) were carried out on 322 seizures to test for the presence of total and thermotolerant coliforms, as well as Staphylococcus aureus counts and the presence of Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella. Most seizures analysed showed coliform contamination and coliforms were present above acceptable limits in 83.4% (40/48) of the products that had some type of contamination. The second most prevalent microorganism found was L. monocytogenes in 22.9% (11/48) and S. aureus was cultivated in 14.58% (7/48) of seizures. Among the items seized in the present work, Salmonella was found in one seizure of pig sausage. Contamination of animal products with microbiological pathogens of importance to public health and indicators of the bad quality of the food were shown in the present study.

Analysis of Shellfish Growing Areas of Alabama, Florida and Georgia, USA - Using the Pearl Shellfish Sanitation Model

According to the United States (U.S.), National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP) standards, the shellfish growing areas in modeling, shellfish sanitation, water quality, shellfish closure rules the U.S. must be closed for harvest when the estimated 90th percentile of fecal coliform concentrations exceeds the NSSP limit of 14/43 Most Probable Number/100 mL (NSSP, 2009, NSSP, 2011). Pearl is a model that identifies harvest areas at risk for fecal coliform contamination (Conte and Ahmadi, 2012). Once the risk areas are identified, the Aquarius model can be used to adjust closure rules (Conte and Ahmadi, 2011). In multi-state analyses using the Pearl model, we have developed a hypothesis that state agencies are inadvertently applying the model's Pearl Limit of 8/26 MPN/100 mL in place of the NSSP limit of 14/43 MPN/100 mL for a 5-tube test to guard against shellfish-related illnesses (Conte and Ahmadi, 2012; 2013; 2014). The datasets used to develop the hypothesis were from Oakland Bay, Washington (Pacific Northwest), Arcata Bay, California (Pacific Northern California), and seven shellfish bays of the Texas Gulf Coast (Western Gulf of Mexico). The main purpose of this paper is to test this hypothesis using different datasets from shellfish growing areas in the states of Alabama (Eastern Gulf of Mexico), Florida (Eastern Gulf of Mexico and south Atlantic Coast) and Georgia (South Atlantic Coast), all located in the southeastern United States. An additional objective is to use the state’s datasets in Pearl analyses to detect the shellfish growing areas that pose a possible health risk to shellfish consumers during some periods