Total Coliform Bacteria Research Articles

Asymptomatic bacteriuria screening for developing countries using a modified water quality test kit.

Between 2% and 15% of pregnant women unknowingly experience asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB), defined as ≥105 CFU per milliliter of urine in the absence of symptoms. ASB increases the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes including pyelonephritis, preterm labor, and low-birth weight infants. While pregnant women in the United States are routinely screened for ASB, those in developing countries with limited resources and funding lack an accurate mechanism for ASB screening. Aquagenx water quality test kits detect Escherichia coli, the most common causative agent of ASB, and total coliform bacteria in drinking water via colorimetric and fluorescent indicators. We found that the Aquagenx system is compatible with human urine and then proceeded to develop an ASB screening protocol using disposable inoculating loops. Our protocol diagnosed artificial ASB- samples (104 CFU/mL E. coli) with a false positive (FP) rate of 33% (n = 18) and ASB+ (105 CFU/mL E. coli) with a false negative (FN) rate of 5.6% (n = 18). Clinical sample testing with our protocol revealed a FP rate of 0% in ASB- samples (n = 28) and a FN rate of 0% in ASB+ samples caused by coliforms (n = 13). Aquagenx did not detect ASB in nine clinical samples with non-coliform etiological agents due to the limitations of the technology. However, with very high accuracy for detection of E. coli and other causative agents that collectively account for 90.1% of ASB cases, these kits could be used as a diagnostic ASB screening tool in developing countries in which there is currently no alternative to urine culture.IMPORTANCEAsymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) affects 2%-15% of pregnant women and can result in adverse maternal and fetal outcomes if left undetected and untreated. In the United States and other developed nations, pregnant women are regularly screened for ASB via urine culture. However, in low-resource countries where bacterial culture is not available, dipstick testing is used. Although accurate in cases of symptomatic bacteriuria, dipstick detection is ineffective for detecting ASB. Here, we made use of an existing water quality field test for ASB urine screening, which would be readily deployable in low-resource settings. We optimized a dilution protocol for sampling patient urine within the detection limits of the Aquagenx kit technology. Overall, we were able to detect ASB samples with Gram-negative pathogens that collectively account for 90% of all ASB cases. Utilization of this repurposed technology for proactive medical screening may help prevent adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes due to ASB.

Pollution load and dynamics of phytoplankton communities in relation to environment variables in Lake Babogay, Ethiopia

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to investigate the water quality of Lake Babogaya in Ethiopia. Water samples were collected from six different sites, and analyzed for total coliform (TC), fecal coliforms (FC), and Escherichia coli (E.coli) content. Additionally, potential of hydrogen (pH), dissolved oxygen (DO), total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), and Secchi depth were measured. Nutrients and heavy metals were determined using standard methods. The abundance of phytoplankton was estimated by calculating the biovolume of the species. The results indicated that pH, TDS, DO, and turbidity ranged from 8.78 + 0.31 to 9.52 + 0.04, 129 + 4 to 419 + 3 ppm, 5.50 to 7.25 mg/l, and 0.96 to 17.29 NTU, respectively. TC bacteria exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO) standards at all sites, while FC levels exceeded in most samples. Cadmium and chromium were low in both seasons, whereas lead in the dry season exceeded the WHO limits. The levels of iron were high across all sites in the dry season and low in most sites in the wet season. Five major taxonomic phytoplankton groups were identified, comprising a total of 31 species with highest richness of green algae, blue-green algae, and diatoms species.

Malva neglecta seed polysaccharide mucilage coating enriched by the Lactobacillus brevis TD4 postbiotics: A promising strategy to promote the shelf life of fresh beef

The need for bioactive-incorporated biodegradable packaging products is growing due to the desire to achieve food goods that have a longer shelf life and enhanced safety. The current study set out to create an edible coating using Malva neglecta seed polysaccharide mucilage (MNSM) containing Lactobacillus brevis TD4-derived postbiotics (PLB), and assess how well the PLB-MNSM edible coating preserved beef slices over a 12-day period of refrigeration. PLB was rich in fatty acids, organic heteropolycyclic compounds, monoterpene and cyclohexanol derivative, prenol lipids, ester compounds, and alpha-CH2-containing aldehyde with significant antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. By adding it to the edible coating at 0, 5, 10, and 15 % v/v, it successfully prevented the proliferation of microbial agents (total viable count, psychrotrophic count, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, total coliform bacteria count, and fungi) as well as the oxidation of lipids (thiobarbituric and peroxide values) in beef samples. The samples' pH value, hardness, and moisture content were all more successfully sustained when PLB preparation was applied to the coating solution (P < 0.05). The edible coating consisting of PLB effectively maintained the meat color (L*, a*, b*) and sensory properties. Additionally, the bioactive edible coating comprised of MNSM and PLB, specifically MNSM-15 % PLB, significantly prevented the quality deterioration of beef samples and prolonged the shelf-life of the meat to over 12 days. The outcomes indicated that the MNSM-PLB edible coating has the capacity to be utilized as an antibacterial and antioxidant-rich packing material, hence enhancing the shelf life of meat-based goods.

Potential of selected microalgae in the bioremediation of wastewater impacted dam water: A case of Goreangab Dam in Windhoek, Namibia

The study was aimed at determining the efficacy of freshwater microalgae in the treatment of polluted dam water with respect to the reduction of pathogen loads, as well as heavy metals and nutrients concentrations. Microalgae were collected from the Klein Windhoek River, as well as the Avis and Goreangab Dams in Windhoek, Namibia. Identification of the microalgae species revealed the presence of the Microcystis species in the Goreangab Dam (control), Anabaena species in the Klein Windhoek River (treatment 1) and the Scenesdesmus species as well as the Anabaena species in the Avis Dam (treatment 2). During treatment, the water samples were assessed on day 0, day 6 and day 12 for faecal and total coliform bacteria, heavy metals (Pb and Cd) as well as nutrients (phosphorous and nitrates). A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated that there were no statistical differences between the mean values of Pb (p = 0.346) and Cd (p = 0.940) concentrations after treatment with microalgae. The Kruskal Wallis tests indicated statistical differences between the mean values of the nitrate levels (H(3) = 8.597, p = 0.035) before and after treatment with microalgae. However, the ANOVA indicated that there were no significant differences between the mean values of total phosphate uptake (p = 0.052) after treatment with microalgae. The results for pathogen loads in the wastewater samples indicated statistically significant differences between the mean values of total coliforms ((H(3) = 10.352, p = 0.015) as well as faecal coliforms (H(3) = 10.421, p = 0.015) before and after treatment with microalgae. We conclude that while our microalgae species were not effective in the removal of heavy metals from the dam water, they were nonetheless effective in the removal of microbial contaminants as well as excessive nutrients from wastewater.

Quality Assessment of Drinking Water from Vending Machines for a Healthier Life

Commercial water vending machines in urban communities are important for consumers because of their convenience and affordability. Therefore, this study investigated the environmental conditions, maintenance, and quality of drinking water distributed through vending machines in an urban community in Thailand. The research sampled 101 drinking water machines in Buriram Municipality, Buriram Province. These machines were assessed for physical characteristics and the surrounding environment and were conducted according to an evaluation form provided by the Ministry of Public Health, Thailand. The findings revealed that 93.07% of the machines had auto coin failures; did not record the date, month, and year of filter changes; and did not display the business license on the cabinet. Additionally, 89.1% of the cabinets had thick dust, 57.43% had damaged or rusted handles on the water inlet door, and 56.44% had algae or rust stains on the water dispenser head. A physiochemical analysis revealed that 83.2% of the machines did not detect the pH levels. Total coliform bacteria and E. coli were not detected in 39.6% and 12.9% of samples, respectively. This study was conducted to develop an application for monitoring the quality of drinking water from vending machines to ensure that standards are met and up-to-date information is provided to help consumers make informed decisions about using clean and safe drinking water from vending machines.

Groundwater and indoor air quality of urban village housing: study in Janturan, Warungboto, Yogyakarta

Water and air are important elements for life. The presence of pathogenic bacteria in the surrounding environment can cause health problems resulting from the low quality of water and air. The purpose of this study is to measure the quality of groundwater and air based on microbiological parameters in urban village housing. This research was conducted in a descriptive survey, and a purposive sampling technique was carried out. Groundwater and air samples were taken from six residents' houses located in the Janturan area. The water quality test used the most probable number (MPN) method and the air quality test used the agar filter method using a microbiological air sampler (MAS) to trap microbes. The results of the MPN test for total coliform bacteria from six samples of groundwater showed that three samples were positive for coliform bacteria which exceeded the threshold according to Indonesian standard&amp;lt;50 MPN/100 ml. Assay of &lt;em&gt;E. coli&lt;/em&gt; bacteria showed that all samples of groundwater positively contained &lt;em&gt;E. coli&lt;/em&gt; bacteria which exceeded the threshold of 0 MPN/100 ml. The results of indoor air quality measurements from 6 residents' houses showed that five houses have air quality did not meet the standard for indoor air germ numbers based on Indonesian standard, less than 700 CFU/m3 (colony forming units per metres cubic) and 1 house that got the number of airborne germs, in the normal range, namely 356 CFU/m3. It was concluded that the water quality and air quality in the urban village did not meet health requirements.

MICROBIOLOGICAL QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF RAINBOW TROUT (ONCORHYNCHUS MYKISS) MEAT TREATED WITH ROSEMARY AND THYME DRIED HERBS AND ESSENTIAL OILS

This study investigates the effects of thyme and rosemary dried herbs, as well as thyme and rosemary essential oils (1%, w/v), on the microbiological quality of vacuum-packed rainbow trout meat stored under refrigerated conditions (4 ± 1 °C) for 7 days. The microbiological quality of meat was monitored based on total viable counts, coliform bacteria, and lactic acid bacteria counts over a designated storage period (on the 0th, 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th day of storage). As expected, the highest total viable counts were observed on the 7th day of storage in the untreated aerobically packed control group reaching 5.723 ± 0.021 CFU.g-1. The tested treatments showed potential in reducing the growth of bacteria in rainbow trout meat samples. Across all bacterial groups under investigation, rosemary essential oil appears to have the most advantageous effect in inhibiting bacterial growth compared to other tested treatments. Cultivated isolates were identified by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and assigned to 33 species belonging to 14 families. The most prevalent family was Enterobacteriaceae (18.99%), and the most abundant species found in samples was Hafnia alvei (8.86%). Our findings suggest the potential of using thyme and rosemary in both essential oil and dried forms as natural preservatives to enhance the microbiological quality and longevity of refrigerated rainbow trout meat.

Sustainability and water quality management in Chaltia Beel: Addressing ecological and public health challenges

This study evaluates the water quality of Chaltia Beel, a significant wetland in Murshidabad, West Bengal, India. Chaltia Beel serves as a crucial habitat for a variety of aquatic species and supports local communities through its use in agriculture and fisheries. The primary objective of this research is to assess the microbiological and chemical characteristics of the beel's water to determine its suitability for ecological and human use. Water samples were collected from three different sites within the beel during the post-monsoon season of 2023. The parameters analyzed include pH, temperature, total dissolved solids (TDS), turbidity, dissolved oxygen (DO), nitrate (NO3), phosphate (PO4), ammoniacal nitrogen, total alkalinity, and total coliform bacteria. Standard methods prescribed by the American Public Health Association (APHA) and the Indian Standards Institution (ISI) were employed for the analyses. The results indicate that the pH values (7.74 to 7.77) are within the neutral range, which is favorable for most aquatic life. The temperature of the water (28.1°C to 28.2°C) is stable and conducive to the ecosystem. TDS levels (398 mg/l to 406 mg/l) are within acceptable limits, though continuous monitoring is recommended to detect any potential increases. Turbidity levels (1.1 NTU to 1.4 NTU) are low, indicating good water clarity. DO levels (6.3 mg/l to 6.6 mg/l) are adequate to support aerobic aquatic organisms. Nitrate levels were consistently below 0.5 mg/l, suggesting minimal agricultural runoff impact. However, phosphate levels (1.38 mg/l to 1.41 mg/l) are relatively high, indicating a risk of eutrophication. Ammoniacal nitrogen levels (0.56 mg/l to 0.61 mg/l) are within acceptable limits but need monitoring to prevent potential toxicity. Total alkalinity (277.4 mg/l to 285 mg/l) provides a good buffering capacity, maintaining pH stability. Microbiological analysis revealed significant contamination with total coliform bacteria ranging from 190 to 204 CFU/100ml, which highlights potential health risks if the water is used for drinking or recreational purposes. The study concludes that while some water quality parameters of Chaltia Beel are within acceptable limits, others require attention to prevent environmental and health issues. Regular monitoring, pollution control, public awareness, habitat restoration, and sustainable practices are recommended to improve and maintain the water quality of Chaltia Beel. These efforts are essential for preserving the ecological health of the wetland and ensuring its continued benefit to the local communities.

Study on Quality Changes of Kelp Gel Edible Granules during Storage.

The kelp gel edible granules developed utilizing the gel properties of alginate are prone to quality deterioration if improperly stored during the storage process. This study comprehensively investigated the quality changes of kelp gel edible granules stored at 4 °C and 25 °C by evaluating indicators such as total bacterial count, coliform bacteria, pH, relaxation time, color difference, appearance, texture characteristics, gel strength, and sensory scoring. The results showed that during the storage at 4 °C, the total bacterial count remained within the national standard range, the hardness and chewiness increased, the gel strength first increased and then decreased, the partial exudation of the bound water in the product occurred, and the sensory score slightly decreased, with an overall minor change in quality. During the storage at 25 °C, significant quality changes were observed, with the total bacterial count exceeding the national standard on the 20th day; additionally, the hardness, chewiness, and gel strength all initially increased and then decreased, both the bound water and the restrained water in the product exuded, the moisture stability decreased, and the sensory score significantly decreased between 16 to 20 days. The spoilage of the product was characterized by a significant water loss, reduction in volume, color change from bright green to dark yellow-brown, and a distinct smell of decaying algae. No coliform bacteria was detected in all products during the storage period. In summary, the shelf life endpoint of the product stored at 25 °C is 16 days, and the shelf life of the product stored at 4 °C is greater than 20 days. Storage at 4 °C can better maintain product quality, extend the shelf life, and effectively maintain the overall color of the product.

Assessment of bacterial and parasitic contamination of fruits gathered from specific local markets in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

BackgroundAround the world, food-borne illnesses are still a frequent and significant hazard to public health. Human infection outbreaks brought on by eating raw fruits have happened more frequently. Fruits have been connected in recent years to a number of outbreaks of food-borne illness around the globe, including in Ethiopia.ObjectiveTo assess bacterial and parasitic contamination of fruits gathered from specific local markets in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.MethodsA cross-sectional study was carried out using fruits gathered from Addis Ababa local marketplaces. Convenient sampling were applied. With the assumption that each vendor provided 30 samples, a total of 120 fruit samples were gathered. Fruit samples were gathered in a plastic bag that had been sanitized and then brought to the lab for bacterial and parasitological investigation. All of the samples were checked for intestinal parasites and bacterial contamination. SPSS software version 25 was used to analyze the data. The Pearson's Chi-square test was used to assess categorical variables. The student's t-test was utilized to compare continuous variables, which were represented as the mean ± standard deviation. Using both univariate and multivariate analysis, odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed. Statistical significance was defined as a P &amp;lt; 0.05.ResultsThere was a 100 (83.3%) level of bacterial contamination. While Salmonella and Shigella species were not recovered, S. aureus isolates 16 (13.3%) were the most common bacterial contamination, followed by E. coli isolates 8 (6.7%). The samples of bananas, mangos, papayas, and avocados from all four sites had total coliform (TCC) bacteria ranging from 2.1 × 103 to 3.2 × 104, 8.3x 102 to 1.8x 105CFU/g, 1.6x 102 to 3.7 x 104, and 1.2x 102 to 3.8 x 104 CFU/g, in that order. No parasites were found in this investigation.Conclusion and recommendationIt is usually recommended that customers in this research region wash and handle infected fruits properly to prevent bacterial illnesses. In addition, fruit dealers should have their bacterial contaminations routinely inspected. Large-scale research is advised to support this discovery.

GC-MS profiling of organic pollutants and physicochemical, histological, microbiological analyses of water and fish samples from Canton Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina) rivers

&lt;p&gt;Continuous monitoring of the water quality in Canton Sarajevo is one of the top priorities necessary for water management, pollution control and conservation efforts in the region. This study presents a comprehensive assessment of water quality in the interconnected river systems of Miljacka and Zeljeznica, employing a multianalytical approach. Water and fish samples were collected at three sites and analysed for the presence of microorganisms, heavy metals and organic pollutants. Physicochemical parameters were examined to understand the rivers’ overall health and ecologic condition. Histopathological analysis of fish species native to these two rivers served as a bioindicator of environmental stressors. In general, there were less anthropogenic pressures found at Site 1 – Kozija ćuprija (river Miljacka – upstream from the city of Sarajevo) and 3 (river Zeljeznica – downstream from the city of Sarajevo). Site 2 – Otoka (river Miljacka, city center) had the highest concentrations of lead, ammonia, orthophosphates and BOD5, as well as total coliform bacteria. This may be linked to the runoff from sewage. The detected histopathological changes are probably associated with the combined microorganisms and organic pollutants, among which plasticizers, emulsifiers, solvents, surfactants and additives were detected by GC-MS.&lt;/p&gt;

Synergistic ferrate(VI) and chlorine for reclaimed water disinfection: Microbial control and chlorine decay mitigation

Chlorination is the most widely used disinfection technology due to its simplicity and continuous disinfection ability. However, the drawbacks of disinfection by-products and chlorine-resistant bacteria have gained increasing attention. Nowadays, ferrate (Fe(VI)) is a multifunctional and environmentally friendly agent which has great potential in wastewater reclamation and reuse. This study investigated synergistic Fe(VI) and chlorine technology for reclaimed water disinfection in terms of microbial control and chlorine decay mitigation. Specifically, synergistic disinfection significantly improved the inactivation efficiency on total coliform, Escherichia coli and heterotrophic bacteria compared to sole chlorination. Synergistic disinfection also exhibited superior performance on controlling the relative abundance of chlorine-resistant bacteria and pathogenic bacteria. In addition, the decay rate of residual chlorine was relatively lower after Fe(VI) pretreatment, which was beneficial for microbial control during the reclaimed water distribution process. Technical and economic analyses revealed that synergistic Fe(VI) and chlorine disinfection was suitable and feasible. Results of this study are believed to provide useful information and alternative options on the optimization of reclaimed water disinfection.

The Effect of Using Aqueous Extract of Cyperus Rotundus Tubers on Characteristics and Shelf Life of Chicken Nuggets

The experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of the aqueous extract of the Cyperus ‎rotundus tubers ‎on fat oxidation and stored frozen chicken nuggets' physical and microbial ‎characteristics. The extract was incorporated into minced poultry meat at concentrations of 0% (control), 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, and 0.4%, and the treated samples were stored for periods of 1 and 30 days at -18°C. The addition of Cyperus rotundus extract significantly improved the pH values and water-holding capacity of the treated nuggets (T2, T3, T4, and T5) compared to the control (T1) across both storage durations. Moreover, a notable reduction in lipid oxidation markers (peroxide value (PV), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBA), free fatty acids (FFA), and total volatile nitrogen (TVN) was observed in the treated samples relative to the control. Additionally, a significant decrease in the total coliform bacteria count was evident in the treated nuggets, which inversely correlated with the concentration of the Cyperus rotundus extract. The findings suggest that the aqueous extract of Cyperus rotundus tubers beneficially affects the quality and safety of chicken nuggets, enhancing their shelf life when stored at -18°C for up to 30 days‎‎‎.

Enhancing bacterial inhibition in beetroot beverages: The potent combination of sappan heartwood extracts via accelerated solvent extraction and pulsed electric field methods

This study aimed to investigate the potential of sappan heartwood extract as an inhibitor of foodborne pathogenic bacteria in beetroot juice. The extract was obtained using an accelerated solvent extraction process (using an ethanol/water solvent mixture (3:1 w/w) at 120 °C and 1500 psi for 5 min), yielding 10.04 g per 73.6 g of dried sappan heartwood powder, with a percentage yield of 13.64 and 2.69 % brazilin. The extract was combined with pulsed electric fields (PEF) at different strengths and tested against Escherichia coli (E. coli), Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Bacillus cereus (B. cereus), and Salmonella typhimurium (S. typhimurium). Results showed that the combination of sappan heartwood extract and PEF at 15 kV/cm and concentrations of 3.91, 5.86, and 11.73 mg/mL effectively reduced the total plate count and coliform bacteria count, and completely eliminated B. cereus and S. typhimurium during 7 days of storage at 4 °C. Furthermore, this combination was found to be more efficient in bacterial elimination compared to thermal pasteurization and potassium sorbate addition. These findings suggest that sappan heartwood extract can be used as a natural antimicrobial agent in food products, especially in beetroot juice, where regulatory standards restrict the addition of preservatives. Using sappan heartwood extract in combination with PEF is highly effective in killing foodborne pathogens, reducing the risk of consumer harm and ensuring food safety.

Evaluation Of Some Drinking Water Qualities In Some Villages In Gezira State

Safe and potable water is the basic need for human. In Gezira State groundwater is the main source of domestic water. While most villages in Gezira State traditionally use pit latrines, septic tanks and injection wells have been introduced recently. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of latrine system in some villages in North Gezira State on some physical, chemical, and microbiological parameters of groundwater. Water samples were collected from sixteen villages (Wadalmahna, Alkamlin Abdalab, Umdagarsey, Wadalmajedi, Abu usher, Altalbab, Alshawarab, Genib, Albataheen, Abufroa, Alsadaga, Alhassaheisa, Alsalama, Addaid Abu usher, Altakla Hamed, and Altakla Gobara) and analyzed for various physico-chemical and microbiological parameters. Physico-chemical parameter includes pH, electrical conductivity, turbidity, total dissolved solids, total hardness, calcium, magnesium, sodium, chloride, and some heavy metals. The microbiologic test includes a total count of coli form and fecal coli form E. coli, which is an indicator of fecal contamination of water. Standard laboratory methods for analysis were used. These parameters were compared with World Health Organization (WHO) and Sudanese Standards and Metrology Organization (SSMO) to assess the suitability of groundwater for domestic purpose. The results show that most of the Physio-chemical parameters are within the acceptable ranges for WHO and SSMO, except water salinity in three villages (Alshawarab, 1935 μmhoscm-1; Albataheen, 1885 μmhoscm-1 and Abufroa, 1780 μmhoscm-1) is higher than the acceptable level (1500 μmhoscm-1). For microbiological tests, total coli form bacteria were detected in all water samples. E. coli was not detected in villages where traditional pit latrine is used. In village where septic tank and injection well is common E. coli was detected in all the samples. The study concludes that the groundwater used for drinking in North Gezira State is polluted, and there is contamination with E. coli in areas where traditional pit latrines are not the sanitation system. Keywords: drinking water, latrine system, Villages in Gezira State, Physical, chemical, groundwater, WHO, microbiological

Evaluation of the Drinking Water Quality Index in Dibis District – Kirkuk

In this study, a weighted mathematical model was utilized to evaluate the water quality of the filtration station in the Al-Dibs district. The assessment was conducted at five different sites from October 2023 to April 2024. Various characteristics of the water samples were measured, encompassing physical properties like turbidity, total suspended solids, total dissolved solids, and electrical conductivity. Additionally, chemical properties such as pH, total alkalinity, total hardness, calcium hardness, magnesium hardness, chloride, total nitrogen, and available phosphorus were analyzed. Bacterial properties, including total bacterial count, coliform bacteria, and fecal bacteria, were also assessed. The study monitored various sites along the Lower Zab River, including the raw water collection point, water pumping area, Oil Quarter, Diyarbakır Quarter, and Kolan Quarter. Results revealed unsatisfactory water quality at the raw water collection point, while excellent quality was observed at the other sites (2, 3, 4, 5). The water quality index rankings were as follows: 18.10, 17.61, 47.96, 30.40.These findings suggest that the water treatment station effectively produces water suitable for daily sanitary purposes.

Groundwater quality assessment in upper Kabul basin and Paghman aquifer

In Afghanistan, groundwater is widely used for drinking water, but its quality poses a health threat. This study investigates the physical, chemical, and bacteriological characteristics of groundwater in the Upper Kabul Sub-basin. Fifteen samples were collected and analyzed from different parts of the study area. The qualitative determination of parameters such as pH, Electrical conductivity (EC), Total dissolved solids (TDS), Salinity, Total hardness, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Chloride, Fluoride, Sulfate, Phosphate, Potassium, Nitrite, Nitrate, Ammonia, Iron, Manganese, Copper, Aluminum, Arsenic, Total coliform, and Fecal coliform bacteria was carried out. The results were compared with WHO and ANSA standards to assess their suitability for drinking purposes. The analyzed samples indicate that physical parameters generally fall within permissible limits according to WHO and ANSA standards. However, certain wells exhibited elevated levels of chemical and bacteriological contaminants. Specifically, Magnesium concentrations exceeded the WHO guideline of 30 mg/L in all of the samples, and Calcium levels surpassed the recommended limit of 75 mg/L in 53% of the samples. Total coliform bacteria were detected in 33.33% of the samples, while fecal coliform bacteria were within the WHO and ANSA permissible limit for drinking water. The Pearson’s correlation coefficient (R) suggested significant correlations between EC, TDS, and total hardness with other physical and chemical parameters. For instance, EC showed a strong positive correlation (R = 1.00) with TDS, EC and Salinity (R = 0.981), EC and Fluoride (R = 0.838) EC and Sulfate (R = 0.853), TDS and Salinity (R = 0. 981), TDS and Fluoride (R = 0.838), TDS and Sulfate (R = 0.853). The findings demonstrate that correlation coefficient analyses of water quality parameters provide a valuable means for monitoring water quality. These results offer critical insights for ensuring a safe water supply in the region.

Quality characteristics of goat milk powder produced by freeze drying followed by UV-C radiation sterilization

Goat milk was directly freeze-dried into milk powder after freezing and then sterilized using UV-C radiation to produce low-dose, medium-dose and high-dose UV-C radiation sterilized freeze-dried goat milk powder (LGP, MGP and HGP). UV-C sterilization effectively reduced the total bacteria count and coliform bacteria in the goat milk powder while preserving the active proteins, and maintaining the color unchanged. Additionally, LGP, MGP, and HGP all exhibited a moisture content below 5 g/100 g and water activity below 0.5. Upon reconstitution, the milk powder formed uniform and stable emulsion. During accelerated storage tests, the increased Aw did not compromise the microbial quality of milk powder, and there were no significant changes in active proteins as confirmed via SDS-PAGE results. Furthermore, the color parameters (a*, b* and ΔE) showed a strong correlation with hydroxymethyl furfural levels.

Evaluation of bio-physical parameters and microbial pollution in water systems

ABSTRACT This study covers the purification and sterilization stations in different regions of the Iraqi city of Baghdad. To systematically conduct this study, several drinking water samples were collected from various sites in Al-Karkh and Al-Rusafa in Baghdad. These samples were tested bacteriologically, such as Bacterial Total Count, Total Coliform Bacteria, fecal bacteria, and Escherichia coli (E. coli). Furthermore, the physical properties of the total hardness (TH), turbidity, residual chlorine, and pH from June 2021 to July 2022 were measured monthly. The seasonal variation of the research parameters is considered by providing a statistical description. The biological tests indicate that the water is seriously contaminated with fecal coliform in one area of the Al-Karkh region during the months of autumn and summer. Also, the biological tests of the Al-Rusafa region elucidate the dangerous concentrations of plate count bacteria in summer and autumn. Furthermore, the Al-Rusafa region reports cases of E. coli and coliform in the summer, which exceed the Iraqi and WHO guidelines. But, the physical tests ascertain the semi-alkalinity of drinking water with the greatest residual chlorine value of 0.9 ppm in the summer.

Influence of gamma radiation treatment on microbial contamination, quality indicators and anthocyanin content in dark raisins

One of the most promising and gentle methods for reducing the number of microorganisms in food and agricultural raw materials is treatment with ionizing radiation. The work aimed to evaluate the effect of antimicrobial treatment with gamma radiation on quality indicators and anthocyanin content in dark raisins. The object of the study was dark raisins produced in Uzbekistan. The studied samples were analyzed according to quality indicators (organoleptic, moisture, color) and microbiological indicators (total microbial contamination, yeast content, mold, and coliform bacteria). The main groups of microorganisms isolated from the surface of raisins were also identified using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The anthocyanin content of the samples was measured by pH differential spectroscopy. Studies have shown that when dark raisins are irradiated in the dose range from 1.5 to 9 kGy, there is a significant decrease in the number of main sanitary-indicative microorganisms. It has been established that the optimal dose for suppressing microflora is 4-6 kGy. Microbial contamination of raisins is mainly caused by molds of the genera Mucor, Rhizopus, and Aspergillus and yeasts of the genera Candida and Phomopsis. As a result of treatment with ionizing radiation, a decrease in the content of anthocyanins by 1.5-2 times was noted. At the same time, no changes in the color, taste, and presentation of raisins were established. Treatment of dark varieties of raisins with gamma radiation can be recommended as an alternative to chemical treatment.