Removal Of Microorganisms Research Articles

Clarifying the mechanism of peroxydisulfate and sulfite activated by Fe2+ for waste activated sludge pretreatment: Enhancement of dewaterabiliy, removal of antibiotic resistance genes and pathogenic microorganisms

The remarkable performance of SO4•— based advanced oxidation processes in improving waste activated sludge (WAS) dewatering has recently received considerable attention. However, its potential effect on the removal of emerging pollutants is often overlooked. In this study, two types of pretreatment methods (S2O82-/Fe2+ and SO32-/Fe2+) were employed to comprehensively evaluate their performance in improving the dewatering of WAS and the removal of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and pathogenic microorganisms. At the optimal dosage of 1.2/1.5 mmol-S2O82-/Fe2+/g-VS, the capillary suction time reduction rate of WAS after S2O82-/Fe2+ was 1.8 times than that of SO32-/Fe2+. Notably, both S2O82-/Fe2+ and SO32-/Fe2+ could remove the 12 types of ARGs identified in WAS. Nonetheless, S2O82-/Fe2+ was more effective in removing ARGs, with a range of removal rate (0.96–2.17 log-units), and reduced the propagation and proliferation potential of residual ARGs. Furthermore, the coliforms content in WAS after S2O82-/Fe2+ decreased significantly with a minimum of 1.84 ± 0.24 log (MPN/g-TS) compared to SO32-/Fe2+. Further analysis indicated that the redistribution of bound extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) in WAS, especially the variations in protein, was the key factor affecting the dewaterability. In contrast to SO32-/Fe2+, the S2O82-/Fe2+ could quickly destroy the EPS structure to release bound water, accelerate the dissociation of WAS flocs, and cause cell lysis and DNA dissolution because of the continuous production and accumulation of SO4•— in the hostile conditions inside. Therefore, S2O82-/Fe2+ is an efficient, economical, and green method to improve WAS dewatering and the removal of pollutants.

Comparative Evaluation of the Effect of Various Irrigating Solutions on the Push-Out Bond Strength of Biodentine and Mineral Trioxide Aggregate: An In Vitro Study

Introduction: A successful endodontic treatment is ba¬sed on combination of adequate instrumentation, irrigation and obturation of canal system. The objectives of endodontic irrigants are lubrication of root canal, removal of microorganisms, pulp, dentinal remnants and dissolution of tissues. The objective of root-end filling is establishment of proper apical hermetic seal. Aim: To evaluate and compare the effect of various irrigating solutions on push-out bond strength of Biodentine and Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA). Materials and Method: Sixty-four extracted human single rooted teeth were decoronated 1.5-2 mm coronal to cemento-enamel junction. The root canals were prepared and divided into four groups (n=16): Group I- Normal Saline (Control group), Group II- Triple antibiotic solution, Group III- 2% Chlorhexidine, Group IV- Morinda citrifolia solution. Mid root dentin was sectioned horizontally and irrigated further with respective irrigating solutions for 5 minutes and divided into 2 subgroups: Subgroup A- Biodentine and Subgroup B- MTA. The root-end filling material was incrementally placed and embedded in acrylic blocks. Samples were tested for push-out bond strength using universal testing machine. Results: The highest push-out bond strength was shown by 2% Chlorhexidine group when used with Biodentine and lowest when normal saline was used with Biodentine. Conclusion: All experimental irrigating solutions increased the push-out bond strength of MTA and Biodentine.

Simultaneous removal of microorganisms and ethyl acetate from fruit storage indoor air using a low-cost photoreactor based on luminous textiles

Escherichia coli (E. coli), Salmonella typhimurium (S. typhimurium), Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes), and Cladosporium cladosporioides (C. cladosporioides), as microorganisms, and ethyl acetate (EA), as a volatile organic compound, were chosen as target pollutants to be removed from indoor air. The E. coli degradation was firstly investigated. Second, the simultaneous degradation of all studied microorganisms was assessed. Third, a separate investigation was conducted for EA. These investigations focused on the antibacterial and photocatalytic behaviors of the TiO2, Ag/TiO2, and Cu/TiO2 luminous textiles. Compared to other photocatalysts, the Cu/TiO2, exhibits the highest bacterial disinfection and EA removal. Fourth, simultaneous degradation of E. coli and EA was assessed with the most efficient photocatalyst. The Cu/TiO2 catalyst proved to be efficient by inactivating 4.72log of E. coli, 5.18log of S. typhimurium, 4.76log of L. monocytogenes, and 0.61log of C. cladosporioides, at the same time. The performance of the Cu/TiO2 catalyst can be assigned to the intrinsic conduction band and valence band positions of CuO, Cu2O, and TiO2. Using the Cu/TiO2 photocatalyst, a bacterial inactivation of 3.63log and an EA degradation efficiency of 91.13% were obtained within 60 min of UV light irradiation. It was unequivocally established that E. coli's presence inhibited the removal of EA (reducing from 91.13% to 65.97%), which can be attributed to the humidity effect and the competition reactions of the photocatalyst among E. coli, EA, and EA by-products. The bactericidal inactivation was equivalent to 3log for E. coli, but it increased to 4log for the E. coli/EA mixture. The damage caused to bacteria proteins by the by-products of EA was the reason for this outcome. The explanation for E. coli inactivation and EA photodegradation on Cu/TiO2 luminous textiles is discussed. The low-cost configuration of a luminous textile photocatalyst used showed a superior performance for the simultaneous elimination of E. coli and EA from indoor air in a modular and low-cost photoreactor.

Boronate-modified electro-spun Fe doped carbon nanofibrous membrane for selective dye adsorption, catalytic degradation, and bacterial inhibition in treatment of water

Recently, dye and microorganism have become the main sources of water pollution due to the rapid development of modern industries and wantonly draining of living sewage. Therefore, the efficient removal of dye and microorganism from the wastewater have attracted considerable attentions of the scientists and engineers around the world. In this regard, a novel phenyl boronic acid (PBA) modified electro-spun Fe doped carbon nanofibrous membrane, C/Fe@PBA, was fabricated in this study for simultaneously selective removal of dye and efficient inhibition of bacteria in water. Firstly, the C/Fe@PBA displayed selective adsorption towards Congo Red (CR) among other dyes by the adsorption order of CR>Methyl Orange (MO) > Neutral Red (NR) > Methylene Blue (MB) > Malachite Green (MG) > Rhodamine B (RhB) with adsorption ability at 25.75, 8.41, 7.11, 7.02, 5.41, and 3.13 mg·g−1. The pseudo first order kinetics and Langmuir isotherm model is calculated to better match the adsorption process of the as prepared membrane towards CR. After 7 rounds of adsorption desorption or 5 degradation cycles, the carbon membrane showed a removal efficiency of 62.2 % or 57.4 %, respectively. Furthermore, the C/Fe@PBA can be employed as effective catalyst to degrade CR in presence of H2O2 under 808 nm near-infrared (NIR) irradiation by the photothermal effect, and the possible catalytic mechanisms and degradation pathway were proposed. Moreover, the as prepared membrane exhibited high bactericidal rate of 99.94 % and 97.44 % against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), respectively. In conclusion, the as prepared carbon membrane with ability of selective adsorption, catalytic degradation, and bacterial inhiation is a promising candidate of filtration membrane in practical sewage management.

Treatment of greywater using a non-aerated combined horizontal and vertical flow constructed wetland

ABSTRACT Human, animal, and plant health is universally paramount, yet the release of poorly treated wastewater into the environment poses a significant risk to all life forms. Hence the need to employ wastewater treatment technologies to curb these health risks. Due to the need to adopt sustainable wastewater treatment technologies, this study investigated the use of a non-aerated hybrid horizontal and vertical flow constructed wetland for the removal of heavy metals and microorganisms from greywater. This was done at six different hydraulic retention times. Results showed significant reductions (p < 0.05) in heavy metal (manganese, zinc, cadmium, magnesium, chromium, and iron) concentrations, with some showing compliance to Ghana's Environmental Protection Agency and the United Kingdom National Environment Regulation recommended discharge limits. Heavy metal concentrations in effluent samples ranged from as low as 0.00 ± 0.15–0.23 ± 0.06 mg/L. Furthermore, there were significant reductions in Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhi (p < 0.05), which also showed compliance to Ghana's Environmental Protection Agency effluent discharge standards. The effluents from the system at HRT 3 days showed high removal efficiency ranges of 82–90% of bacteria. It is recommended that hybrid constructed wetlands should be incorporated in the treatment of greywater.

Microorganisms immobilized hydroxyethyl cellulose/luffa composite sponge for selective adsorption and biodegradation of oils in wastewater

The highly efficient removal of oils such as oils or dyes from wastewater has aroused wide concern and is of great significance for clean production and environmental remediation. The synthesis of a novel aerogel (designated as HEC/LS) is reported herein, achieved through a sol-gel method followed by freeze-drying utilizing loofa and hydroxyethyl cellulose as the raw materials. The new HEC/LS aerogel exhibits excellent porosity and specific surface area, with a porosity of 88.70 %, a total pore area of 0.607 m2 g−1, and a specific surface area of 230 m2 g−1. The prepared HEC/LS aerogel exhibits exceptional hydrophilicity and self-floatability, facilitating its rapid absorption of water up to 21 times its own weight within a mere 3 s. Additionally, it demonstrates good adsorption performance for methylene blue (MB), with a maximum adsorption capacity of 83.30 mg g−1. Subsequently, a new hydrophobic microorganisms-loaded composite aerogel (namely, Bn-HEC/LS) was obtained by doping microorganisms into the as-prepared HEC/LS in multiple enrichment followed by a hydrophobic and oleophilic surface modification. Based on its rich porous structure and oleophilic wettability, the as-synthesized Bn-HEC/LS exhibits excellent selective adsorption and degradation properties for the oil contamination, the diesel oil could be selectively absorbed in the Bn-HEC/LS and degraded by the loaded microorganisms. Among them, B5-HEC/LS displays the highest removal efficiency of 94.50 % within 180 h, while free microorganisms and HEC/LS aerogels show degradation efficiencies of only 21.70 % and 48.10 %, respectively. The fixation of microorganisms in the aerogel increases their number within the material and enhances the relative microorganisms removal capacity. The hydrophobic and lipophilic modifications improve the selective adsorption performance of the aerogel on diesel oil, resulting in a significantly high removal rate of Bn-HEC/LS for diesel oil. The results indicate that the immobilization of microorganisms into aerogel improves the activity of microorganisms, and the hydrophobic and oleophilic modification enhances the selective adsorption performance of aerogel to diesel oil, thus resulting in a very high removal rate of Bn-HEC/LS for diesel oil. This study is expected to provide a now possibility for the green and efficient bioremediation of oils.

Visible light photocatalytic response of Fe doped TiO2: Inactivation of Escherichia coli

Heterogeneous photocatalysis has been widely investigated for the removal of pollutants and pathogenic microorganisms. Various modified photocatalysts were developed for the beneficial use of solar light. E. coli inactivation by Fe doping of TiO2 (P-25) and sol–gel prepared (SynTiO2) was achieved upon solar irradiation in both isotonic (IsoT) and water matrix (WM) conditions. First order kinetic rate constants were comparatively higher for bare SynTiO2 both in IsoT (k = 0.254 min−1) and WM (k = 0.180 min−1) solutions. WM exerted an overall retardation effect for all photocatalysts except for 0.50 % Fe-TiO2 and 0.25 % Fe-SynTiO2. Release of intracellular components was followed by spectroscopic parameters as well as dissolved organic carbon (DOC) contents. E. coli cell destruction was related to the released protein, carbohydrate, and K+ ion contents. Solar photocatalytic inactivation of E. coli using novel sol–gel prepared TiO2 and Fe doped sol–gel TiO2 was successfully demonstrated as an alternative and promising method for disinfection purposes.

Persistence of sewage-associated genetic markers in advanced and conventional treated recycled water: implications for microbial source tracking in surface waters.

Genes in sewage-associated microorganisms are widely accepted indicators of sewage pollution in environmental waters. However, DNA persists through wastewater treatment and can reach surface waters when recycled water is discharged, potentially causing false-positive indications of sewage contamination. Previous studies have found that bacterial and viral sewage-associated genes persist through wastewater treatment; however, these studies did not compare different facilities or identify a solution to distinguish sewage from recycled water. In this study, we demonstrated the persistence of bacterial marker genes and the greater persistence of a viral marker gene (CPQ_056 of crAssphage) through varying wastewater treatment facilities. We also aim to provide a tool to confirm sewage contamination in surface waters with recycled water inputs. This work showed that the level of wastewater treatment affects the removal of microorganisms, particularly viruses, and expands our ability to identify sewage in surface waters.

The Use of Microfiltration for the Pretreatment of Backwash Water from Sand Filters.

Tests of microfiltration efficiency used for the pretreatment of backwash water from sand filters were conducted at two water treatment plants treating surface water and infiltration water. Microfiltration efficiency was evaluated for three membrane modules: two with polymeric membranes and one with a ceramic membrane. This study showed that the contaminants that limit the reuse of backwash water from both plants by returning them to the water treatment line are mostly microorganisms, including pathogenic species (Clostridium perfringens). Additionally, in the case of backwash water from infiltration water treatment, iron and manganese compounds also had to be removed before its recirculation to the water treatment system. Unexpectedly, organic carbon concentrations in both types of backwash water were similar to those present in intake waters. Microfiltration provided for the removal of organic matter, ranging from 19.9% to 44.5% and from 7.2% to 53.9% for backwash water from the treatments of surface water and infiltration water, respectively. Furthermore, the efficiency of the iron removal from backwash water from infiltration water treatment was sufficient to ensure good intake water quality. On the other hand, manganese concentrations in the backwash water, from infiltration water treatment, pretreated using the microfiltration process exceeded the levels found in the intake water and were, therefore, an additional limiting factor for the reuse of the backwash water. In both types of backwash water, the number of microorganisms, including Clostridium perfringens (a pathogenic one), was a limiting parameter for backwash water reuse without pretreatment. The results of the present study showed the possibility for using microfiltration for the pretreatment of backwash water, regardless of its origin but not as the sole process. More complex technological systems are needed before recirculating backwash water into the water treatment system. The polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane proved to be the most effective for DOC and microorganism removal from backwash water.

Microrobotics in endodontics: A perspective.

Microorganisms are the primary aetiological factor of apical periodontitis. The goal of endodontic treatment is to prevent and eliminate the infection by removing the microorganisms. However, microbial biofilms and the complex root canal anatomy impair the disinfection process. Effective and precise endodontic therapy could potentially be achieved using advanced multifunctional technologies that have the ability to access hard-to-reach surfaces and perform simultaneous biofilm killing, removal, and detection of microorganisms. Advances in microrobotics are providing novel therapeutic and diagnostic opportunities with high precision and efficacy to address current biofilm-related challenges in biomedicine. Concurrently, multifunctional magnetic microrobots have been developed to overcome the disinfection challenges of current approaches to disrupt, kill, and retrieve biofilms with the goal of enhancing the efficacy and precision of endodontic therapy. This article reviews the recent advances of microrobotics in healthcare and particularly advances to overcome disinfection challenges in endodontics, and provides perspectives for future research in the field.

Rapid attainment of full wettability through surface PEGylation of hydrophobic polyvinylidene fluoride membranes via spray-coating for enhanced anti-biofouling performances

This manuscript explores the development of antifouling membranes fabricated by vapor-induced phase separation (VIPS) process and their spray-coating modification with an aqueous solution of a copolymer comprising butyl methacrylate and poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate, designated as poly(BMA-r-PEGMA). An initial optimization phase focused on improving the modification quality, with the aim of enhancing the wettability on both the top and bottom surfaces of the membranes, despite spraying on the top surface only. Our findings reveal that a sprayed solution concentration of 10 mg/mL, a pressure of 0.25 MPa, and a scan rate of 3000 mm/min achieved a decrease in water contact angle to 0 in less than 12 s for both membrane surfaces (the top surface directly exposed to the spray, and the bottom surface facing the instrument stage), suggesting that the spray-coating modifies the entire membrane’s bulk. The presence of the copolymer on both surfaces was also evidenced by FTIR and XPS tests. Further biofouling assessments demonstrated the performances of the optimized membrane (OM). In static attachment tests, the OM exhibited a high reduction in Escherichia coli adhesion, with less than 10 % adhering bacteria, compared to unmodified membranes. During the filtration of bacteria-containing wastewater, the OM boasted a flux recovery ratio approaching 60 % (against less than 40 % for a commercial hydrophilic membrane), a rejection rate of 99.3 %, and a water permeability of 2500 LMH/bar. Moreover, the OM was stable over a 4-week period, with a resistance to E. coli attachment remaining similar to prior immersion. These findings underscore the significant potential of spray-coating to develop stable and effective antifouling microfiltration membranes for the removal of microorganisms from wastewater.

Fabrication of rapid sand filter for water treatment using sand and activated carbon

It is pertinent to provide safe drinking water to the people as quality of water keeps deteriorating. According to World Health Organization (WHO), water and hygiene are the primary drivers of public health. Filtration is a water treatment process used for removal of microorganisms and colloidal matters from raw water, therefore this study aims at comparing the effects of sand and activated carbon when used separately in rapid sand filters for water treatment. Fabrication of two models of the rapid sand filters were carried out with 1.2mm stainless steel plates. One of the filters was loaded with gravel (grain size 5mm) at the bottom and this was followed by coarse sand (grain size 3mm) and fine sand (grain size 1mm) at the top. The second filter was loaded with gravel at the bottom and this was followed by coarse sand, fine sand and capped with activated carbon. Raw water, obtained from borehole was stored in a tank and made to pass through each of these filters independently. Sample of the raw water was collected for laboratory analysis in addition to samples of the treated water from each of the two rapid sand filters. The outcomes of the tests reveal that the filtration processes had positive impact on the raw water but the filter capped with activated carbon produced better quality water. The use of activated carbon as the topmost material in a rapid sand filter is recommended as it enhances the quality of treated water in parameters such as colour, conductivity, chloride, hardness, sulphate, total dissolved solids, sodium, magnesium, iron and total plate count. The rapid sand filters would afterwards be used for students’ practical to explain filtration as a water treatment process.

Antibacterial micro/nanomotors: current research progress, challenges, and opportunities.

Bacterial infections remain a formidable threat to human health, a situation exacerbated by the escalating problem of antibiotic resistance. While alternative antibacterial strategies such as oxidants, heat treatments, and metal nanoparticles (NPs) have shown potential, they come with significant drawbacks, ranging from non-specificity to potential environmental concerns. In the face of these challenges, the rapid evolution of micro/nanomotors (MNMs) stands out as a revolutionary development in the antimicrobial arena. MNMs harness various forms of energy and convert it into a substantial driving force, offering bright prospects for combating microbial threats. MNMs' mobility allows for swift and targeted interaction with bacteria, which not only improves the carrying potential of therapeutic agents but also narrows the required activation range for non-drug antimicrobial interventions like photothermal and photodynamic therapies, substantially improving their bacterial clearance rates. In this review, we summarized the diverse propulsion mechanisms of MNMs employed in antimicrobial applications and articulated their multiple functions, which include direct bactericidal action, capture and removal of microorganisms, detoxification processes, and the innovative detection of bacteria and associated toxins. Despite MNMs' potential to revolutionize antibacterial research, the translation from laboratory to clinical use remains challenging. Based on the current research status, we summarized the potential challenges and possible solutions and also prospected several key directions for future studies of MNMs for antimicrobial purposes. Collectively, by highlighting the important knowns and unknowns of antimicrobial MNMs, our present review would help to light the way forward for the field of antimicrobial MNMs and prevent unnecessary blindness and detours.

Activated multifunctional nanoparticle biochar for highly efficient capture and removal of Ni(II) and micro-organisms from water samples

Activated multifunctional nanoparticle biochar for highly efficient capture and removal of Ni(II) and micro-organisms from water samples

Activated multifunctional nanoparticle biochar for highly efficient capture and removal of Ni(II) and micro-organisms from water samples

Activated multifunctional nanoparticle biochar for highly efficient capture and removal of Ni(II) and micro-organisms from water samples

Improvement of hybrid polyvinyl chloride/dapsone membrane using synthesized silver nanoparticles for the efficient removal of heavy metals, microorganisms, and phosphate and nitrate compounds from polluted water.

Heavy metals exist in different water resources and can threaten human health, inducing several chronic illnesses such as cancer and renal diseases. Therefore, this work dealt with the fabrication of highly efficient nanomembranes based on silver nanoparticle (Ag NP)-doped hybrid polyvinyl chloride (PVC) by dapsone (DAP) using an in situ method. Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis were used to confirm the hybridization of PVC as well as the crystalline structure of hybrid PVC nanocomposites. Three varying proportions of Ag NPs (i.e., 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3%) were used to fabricate hybrid PVC-DAP nanomembranes. The Brunauer-Emmet-Teller (BET) method was used to estimate membrane surface area, porosity and distribution of pore volume. The mechanical strength and antibacterial properties of the cased films notably improved when Ag NPs were added depending on the NP ratio inside the matrix. Results obtained from adsorption experiments of PVC-DAP nanomembranes at 35 °C revealed that the optimum nanomembrane was achieved at 0.2% NPs and its percentage of removal effectiveness ranged from 71 to 95% depending on the ion type. The surface morphology of the PVC-DAP-0.2 Ag NPs before and after the adsorption process of the metal ions was analyzed using SEM-EDX. Moreover, the impact of other parameters such as the initial concentrations, pH media, temperature, and contacting time, on the adsorption efficiency of PVC-DAP-0.2 Ag NPs was also investigated. Furthermore, kinetic and adsorption isotherm models were suggested to describe the adsorption efficiency of the PVC-DAP-0.2 Ag NP membrane, and the uptake mechanism of metal ion removal was studied. The obtained outcomes for these fabricated nanomembranes demonstrated that they could be potential candidates for water purification and other potential purposes including biomedical areas.

A heterostructure nanofiber film with an enhanced internal electrical field and surface plasmon resonance for efficient microbial removal

An electrospun Ag@BTO/PVDF fiber film with high β phase content and enhanced built-in electrical field for highly efficient photo-piezocatalytic removal of water pollutants and microorganisms.

An overview of sustainable greywater treatment processes

Greywater refers to all domestic wastewater generated, with the exception of sewage. Greywater exhibits a varied composition that mirrors the lifestyle of the residents and the chemicals they utilize within their households. The environment is favourable for the proliferation of bacteria, indicating that it has to be treated before being reused. The treatment objectives also include the removal of organic pollutants, heavy metals, diseases, and other microorganisms. The predominant approach for treating greywater is to pass it via biofilm systems. Using mulch beds in close proximity to crops or trees is a viable alternative to irrigating the entire region. The basic methods of grey water treatment are filtration, coagulation, reverse osmosis, and adsorption, and the energy and resource requirements of the treatment systems differ. They often rise as the level of treatment rises, leading to a bias for natural systems such as sand or fiber filters and built wetlands. These natural systems are more suitable for small-scale greywater treatment since they are more sustainable, eco-friendly, and low-cost.This review finds different approaches to redefine the perception of sustainable greywater management in order to provide assistance to both humans and agriculture.

Simulation and Analysis of Anodized Aluminum Oxide Membrane Degradation.

Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)-based filter with microchannels enables the removal of various microorganisms, including viruses and bacteria, from fluids. Membranes with porous channels can be used as filtration interfaces in MEMS hemofilters or mini-dialyzers. The main problems associated with the filtration process are optimization of membrane geometry and fouling. A nanoporous aluminum oxide membrane was fabricated using an optimized two-step anodization process. Computational strength modeling and analysis of the membrane with specified parameters were performed using the ANSYS structural module. A fuzzy simulation was performed for the numerical analysis of flux through the membrane. The membrane was then incorporated with the prototype for successive filtration. The fluid flux and permeation analysis of the filtration process have been studied. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrographs of membranes have been obtained before and after the filtration cycles. The SEM results indicate membrane fouling after multiple cycles, and thus the flux is affected. This type of fabricated membrane and setup are suitable for the separation and purification of various fluids. However, after several filtration cycles, the membrane was degraded. It requires a prolonged chemical cleaning. High-density water has been used for filtration purposes, so this MEMS-based filter can also be used as a mini-dialyzer and hemofilter in various applications for filtration. Such a demonstration also opens up a new strategy for maximizing filtration efficiency and reducing energy costs for the filtration process by using a layered membrane setup.

Chemical Method for Recovery and Regeneration of Graphene Oxide.

Graphene oxide (GO) has been developed as a very effective medium for filtration and removal of microbial contaminants in fuel. GO is capable of filtering out microorganisms without needing micrometer and submicrometer pores for filtration. Our previous studies showed that microorganisms are attracted by GO and bind irreversibly to GO without promoting bacterial growth. Therefore, GO was tested as a filter medium to remove microorganisms in fuel. The characterization results showed that GO removed microbes in diesel fuel with >99% efficiency. However, the synthesis of GO using Hummers' method is labor intensive and a time-consuming. We present in this paper an economical, less labor intensive and a simple chemical approach to recover GO after it has been used as a filtration medium for the removal of microorganisms in fuels. In the GO recovery process, microbial and fuel contaminated GO is washed with hexane to remove any fuel from the GO sample. The hexane-washed GO is further washed with acetone and mixed with ethanol to kill and remove any microorganisms. After washing with ethanol, the GO sample is sonicated in water to remove impurities and re-establish the oxygen functionalities. The final recovered-GO (rec-GO) is obtained after removing water by rotary evaporation. The chemical characterization of rec-GO showed that rec-GO is similar in both chemical and physical properties compared to freshly synthesized-GO (as-syn-GO). Rec-GO was shown to perform similarly to as-syn-GO in filtration of biocontaminated fuel. We estimate that our rec-GO is at least 90% cheaper than high quality commercially available GO.