In-situ multi-mode extraction (iMME) sampler for a wide-scope analysis of chemical and biological targets in water in urbanized and remote (off-the-grid) locations.

Chemical pollution (including chemicals of emerging concern - CECs) continues to gain increasing attention as a global threat to human health and the environment, with numerous reports on the adverse and sometimes devastating effects upon ecosystems the presence of these chemicals can have. Whilst many studies have investigated presence of CECs in aquatic environments, these studies have been often focused on higher income countries, leaving significant knowledge gaps for many low-middle income countries. This study proposes a new integrated powerless, in-situ multi-mode extraction (iMME) sampler for the analysis of chemicals (105 CECs) and biological (5 genes) markers in water in contrasting settings: an urbanized Avon River in the UK and remote Olifants River in Kruger National Park in South Africa.

Spatiotemporal Investigation of Antibiotic Resistance in the Urban Water Cycle Influenced by Environmental and Anthropogenic Activity.

With increasing emergence of antimicrobial resistant bacteria (ARB) and the risk this poses to public health, there are growing concerns regarding water pollution contributing to the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) through inadequate amenities and the rapid rate of urbanization. In this study, the impact of different anthropogenic factors on the prevalence of AMR in the urban water cycle in Stellenbosch, South Africa (SA) was examined. Carbapenem, colistin, gentamicin and sulfamethoxazole resistant Gram-negative bacteria were recovered by selectively culturing aqueous, biofilm and sediment samples from sites impacted to varying degrees by informal settlements, residential, industrial, and agricultural activities, as well as a municipal wastewater treatment works (WWTW).

Comparison of phytoplankton control measures in reducing cyanobacteria assemblage of reservoirs found in the arid region of Southern Africa.

Ecological restorations of reservoirs are implemented worldwide; however, minimal successes are reported and understood for warmer African lakes like Swakoppoort Dam, Namibia. The objectives of the study were (a) to establish the effectiveness of the two control measures in reducing cyanobacteria growths in comparison with untreated control areas and (b) to compare the results generated before and after control measures with the reference Von Bach Dam. During Phoslock treatment, the average cyanobacteria cells and total phosphate (TP) were 90,521 cells/ml and 0.

Effects of preservation of rumen inoculum on volatile fatty acids production and the community dynamics during batch fermentation of fruit pomace.

Rumen fluid (RF) as inocula is useful for evaluating biomass digestibility and has potential for producing volatile fatty acids (VFA) via the carboxylate platform. However, RF is not readily available, necessitating evaluation of potential preservation methods. Glycerol (50% v/v) and DMSO (5% v/v) were used to preserve rumen inocula for 3 months at -80 °C.

Valorisation of the invasive species, Prosopis juliflora, using the carboxylate platform to produce volatile fatty acids.

Biomass derived from low-value, high-volume invasive plant species is an attractive, alternative feedstock to produce biofuels and biochemicals. This study aimed to use the carboxylate platform to valorize the invasive leguminous shrub, Prosopis juliflora (Mesquite), by utilizing in vitro rumen fermentations without chemical pretreatment to produce volatile fatty acids. The three fractions of the mesquite: leaves (ProL), stems (ProS) and branches (ProB) were compared regarding chemical composition, neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibility at 7 time points and VFA production after 72 h with sugarcane bagasse (SCB) as a reference.

Bacterial species diversity as an indicator of dibromonitrilopropionamide (DBNPA) biocide efficacy.

Microorganism growth in industrial systems is controlled through the use of biocides and biodispersants. There is, however, no simple means of determining the efficacy of these control mechanisms, but it is currently tested using complex bacterial culturing techniques. Biolog Ecoplates have been used to detect bacterial population changes in various communities.

Application of quantitative PCR for the detection of microorganisms in water.

The occurrence of microorganisms in water due to contamination is a health risk and control thereof is a necessity. Conventional detection methods may be misleading and do not provide rapid results allowing for immediate action. The quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) method has proven to be an effective tool to detect and quantify microorganisms in water within a few hours.

Lactobacillus equigenerosi strain Le1 invades equine epithelial cells.

Lactobacillus equigenerosi strain Le1, a natural inhabitant of the equine gastrointestinal tract, survived pH 3.0 and incubation in the presence of 1.5% (wt/vol) bile salts for at least 2 h.

Lactobacillus plantarum 24, isolated from the marula fruit (Sclerocarya birrea), has probiotic properties and harbors genes encoding the production of three bacteriocins.

Lactobacillus plantarum 24, isolated from marula fruit grows at pH 4.0 and tolerates acid levels and bile concentrations normally present in the human gastro-intestinal tract. Wistar rats that have been administered L.

The potential of nanofibers and nanobiocides in water purification.

Electrospun nanofibers and nanobiocides show potential in the improvement of water filtration membranes. Biofouling of membranes caused by the bacterial load in water reduces the quality of drinking water and has become a major problem. Several studies showed inhibition of these bacteria after exposure to nanofibers with functionalized surfaces.

Evaluation of Enterococcus mundtii ST4SA and Lactobacillus plantarum 423 as probiotics by using a gastro-intestinal model with infant milk formulations as substrate.

Enterococcus mundtii ST4SA and Lactobacillus plantarum 423 produce bacteriocins with activity against a number of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Both strains survived intestinal conditions simulated in a gastro-intestinal model (GIM) with infant milk formulations as substrate and prevented the growth of Listeria monocytogenes ScottA. The strains are inhibited by the antibiotics amoxicillin, cefadroxil, roxithromycin and doxycycline, anti-inflammatory medicaments containing meloxicam, ibuprofen and sodium diklofenak, and analgesics containing paracetamol, codeine phosphate and promethazine.

Adhesion of the probiotic strains Enterococcus mundtii ST4SA and Lactobacillus plantarum 423 to Caco-2 cells under conditions simulating the intestinal tract, and in the presence of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medicaments.

Adhesion of Enterococcus mundtii ST4SA and Lactobacillus plantarum 423 to Caco-2 (human carcinoma epithelial) cells was visualized by fluorescent staining. Both strains showed good adhesion compared to L. casei MB1, L.