Grantee Research Project Results
Rapid Concentration, Detection, and Quantification of Pathogens in Drinking Water
EPA Grant Number: R833840Title: Rapid Concentration, Detection, and Quantification of Pathogens in Drinking Water
Investigators: Hu, Zhiqiang , Riley, Lela K. , Lin, Mengshi
Institution: University of Missouri - Columbia
EPA Project Officer: Aja, Hayley
Project Period: May 1, 2008 through April 30, 2011 (Extended to April 30, 2013)
Project Amount: $600,000
RFA: Development and Evaluation of Innovative Approaches for the Quantitative Assessment of Pathogens and Cyanobacteria and Their Toxins in Drinking Water (2007) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Drinking Water , Water
Objective:
The hypothesis of this research is that a lanthanum-based concentration method can be combined with spectroscopic-based detection techniques to serve as a complementary means of standard molecular microbiological methods for rapid pathogen determination. The objectives of this research are to: 1) evaluate a lanthanum-based colloidal destabilization method to rapidly concentrate pathogens in water; 2) determine the efficiency of fluorescence-based oxygen microrespirometry in differentiating live/dead pathogens; 3) develop and validate a new SERS-based method for pathogen detection and quantification; and 4) improve pathogen detection using modified concentration and molecular detection methods and compare the detection efficiencies to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) existing methods with seeded or unseeded drinking water samples.
Approach:
Key CCL pathogens such as human adenovirus, calicivirus, Helicobacter pylori, and Encephalitozoon cuniculi were selected because they represent the major categories of pathogens (i.e., DNA viruses, RNA viruses, bacteria and fungi) that pose health risks in drinking water. The pathogen recovery efficiency of lanthanum-based method will be compared with those of EPA’s existing methods (e.g., 1MDS filter method) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation method. A rapid high-throughput live/dead pathogen differentiation method (with 96 microwells) based on respirometric measurements will be developed using time-resolved fluorescence microrespirometry in conjunction with phosphorescent oxygen-sensitive probes. A more sensitive spectroscopic method-SERS coupled with the SERS-active substrates with defined gold nanoparticles for rapid pathogen detection and quantification will be evaluated. The developed concentration and spectroscopic methods will be applied in and/or compared with standard molecular detection methods such as qPCR.
Expected Results:
Waterborne pathogens will be rapidly concentrated and detected at low levels by a series of complementary and nondestructive techniques. The lanthanum-based concentration method will greatly improve pathogen detection using EPA’s existing methods and other PCR-based molecular techniques, which will be beneficial to the public water utilities.
Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 6 publications for this projectJournal Articles:
Journal Articles have been submitted on this project: View all 5 journal articles for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
drinking water, exposure, waterborne pathogens, microbiology, monitoring, measurement methods, physical processes, health effects, field-based detection, lanthanum, respirometry, Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy, nanotechnology, biotechnology,, RFA, Scientific Discipline, Health, PHYSICAL ASPECTS, Water, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Health Risk Assessment, Environmental Chemistry, Monitoring/Modeling, Risk Assessments, Physical Processes, Environmental Monitoring, Drinking Water, microbial contamination, monitoring, measurement , microbial risk assessment, virulence factor biochip, virulence factor activity relationships, microbiological organisms, detection, exposure and effects, bacteria monitoring, exposure, other - risk assessment, E. Coli, human exposure, microbial risk management, microorganism, measurement, assessment technology, drinking water contaminants, other - risk managementProgress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.