Physicochemical determinants of multiwalled carbon nanotube bacterial cytotoxicity

Rational modification of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to isolate their specific physical and chemical properties will inform a mechanistic understanding of observed CNT toxicity in bacterial systems. The present study compares the toxicity of commercially obtained multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) before and after physicochemical modification via common purification and functionalization routes, including dry oxidation, acid treatment functionalization, and annealing. Experimental results support a correlation between bacterial cytotoxicity and physicochemical properties that enhance MWNT-cell contact opportunities. For example, we observe higher toxicity when the nanotubes are uncapped, debundled, short, and dispersed in solution. These conclusions demonstrate that physicochemical modifications of MWNTs alter their cytotoxicity in bacterial systems and underline the need for careful documentation of physical and chemical characteristics when reporting the toxicity of carbon-based nanomaterials.     

Acaricidal activity of Thymus vulgaris oil and its main components against Tyrophagus putrescentiae, a stored food mite

The acaricidal activities of compounds derived from Thymus vulgaris (thyme) oil against Tyrophagus putrescentiae were assessed using an impregnated fabric disk bioassay, and were compared with those of the synthetic acaricides, benzyl benzoate and N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide. The observed responses differed according to dosage and chemical components. The 50% lethal dose (LD50) value of the T. vulgaris oil against T. putrescentiae was 10.2 microg/cm2. Biologically active constituents derived from T. vulgaris oil were purified by using silica gel chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography. The structures of acaricidal components were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), 13C NMR, 1H-13C COSY-NMR, and DEPT-NMR spectra, and were subsequently identified as carvacrol and thymol. Carvacrol was the most toxic compound with LD50 values (4.5 microg/cm2) significantly different from thymol (11.1 microg/cm2), benzyl benzoate (11.3 microg/cm2), and N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (13.9 microg/cm2). Linalool was as toxic as was N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide. The lower LD50 of carvacrol indicates that it may be the major contributor of the toxicity of T. vulagaris oil against the stored food mite, although it only constitutes 14.2% of the oil. From this point of view, carvacrol and thymol can be very useful as potential control agents against stored food mite.     

Size-dependent toxicity of nano-C60 aggregates: more sensitive indication by apoptosis-related Bax translocation in cultured human cells

The toxicity of NPs is not well characterized in terms of their size. In particular, the size-based toxicity of fullerene (C(60)) remains an issue because of a lack of C(60) NPs with a well-controlled size. In this work, six fractions of the nano-C(60) aggregates (nC(60)) with different size distribution were prepared by a simple differential centrifugation. By using these nC(60) fractions, we demonstrate the size-dependent inhibition of DNA polymerase and reduced-size enhanced cytotoxicity. Above all, we found that nC(60) NPs with smaller size may have higher toxicity potency. These size-dependent effects were observed at the high exposure doses (4-6 mg/L). Interestingly, at 20-times lower and noncytotoxic doses, the size-dependent effect can be indicated by apoptosis-related fluorescent protein fused Bax translocation. Considering the toxicity of NPs is often ignored in the traditional end-point analysis for cytotoxicity when the exposure dose is low, the findings presented here will assist in the evaluation of the size-dependent cytotoxicity and dose-response relationships of toxicity mediated by nC(60) NPs at low doses.     

Multi-wall carbon nanotube film-based electrochemical sensor for rapid detection of Ponceau 4R and Allura Red

The monitoring of synthetic colourants in foods is very important due to their potential toxicity and pathogenicity. Herein, an electrochemical sensor for rapid and simple detection of Ponceau 4R and Allura Red was constructed using multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWNT) sensing film. In pH 7.0 phosphate buffer, two oxidation peaks are observed at 0.56 and 0.68 V for Ponceau 4R and Allura Red. Because of its large surface area and high accumulation efficiency, the MWNT film sensor remarkably enhances the oxidation signals of Ponceau 4R and Allura Red. The detection parameters such as pH value, amount of MWNT, accumulation potential and time were optimised. The MWNT film sensor possesses high sensitivity to Ponceau 4R and Allura Red, and the limits of detection are as low as 15 and 25 μg L⁻¹. Finally, the MWNT sensor was successfully used to detect Ponceau 4R and Allura Red in different soft drinks.     

LBL法在柔性基材表面制备单壁碳纳米管复合导电薄膜研究

本研究提出了采用层层自组装(LBL)法制备单壁碳纳米管(SWNTs)有机导电薄膜.首先采用过硫酸铵(APS)水溶液改善SWNTs的水分散性,使其表面含有大量的羟基(O-H)、羰基(C=O)和少量的羧基(COOH)基团.然后采用APS水溶液和受限光催化氧化法在BOPP薄膜和PET薄膜表面引入带有负电荷的硫酸根.以BOPP和PET为基材,以聚烯丙基胺盐(PAH)或聚二甲基二烯丙基氯化胺(PDDA)为聚阳离子,以APS氧化改性后的SWNTs为聚阴离子,依靠聚阴离子与聚阳离子间的静电吸引作用和氢键作用进行LBL组装,从而在PET和BOPP基材表面获得SWNTs的透明导电薄膜.同时,详细分析了影响SWNTs吸附量以及薄膜导电性的诸多因素,包括高分子种类(PAH和PDDA)和SWNTs改性程度.紫外可见光谱和方块电阻测试结果表明,将经10％APS水溶液70℃氧化处理4h的SWNTs配制成0.05mg/rnJ的水溶液,与0.5mmol/ml的PDDA水溶液进行LBL组装时,能获得最佳组装效果;LBL组装层数为20双层时,所得的SWNTs导电薄膜的电导率分别为4.57S/cm(PET基材表面)和2.12S/cm(BOPP基材表面).     

Electrochemical multiwalled carbon nanotube filter for viral and bacterial removal and inactivation

Nanotechnology has potential to offer solutions to problems facing the developing world. Here, we demonstrate the efficacy of an anodic multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWNT) microfilter toward the removal and inactivation of viruses (MS2) and bacteria (E. coli). In the absence of electrolysis, the MWNT filter is effective for complete removal of bacteria by sieving and multilog removal of viruses by depth-filtration. Concomitant electrolysis during filtration results in significantly increased inactivation of influent bacteria and viruses. At applied potentials of 2 and 3 V, the electrochemical MWNT filter reduced the number of bacteria and viruses in the effluent to below the limit of detection. Application of 2 and 3 V for 30 s postfiltration inactivated >75% of the sieved bacteria and >99.6% of the adsorbed viruses. Electrolyte concentration and composition had no correlation to electrochemical inactivation consistent with a direct oxidation mechanism at the MWNT filter surface. Potential dependent dye oxidation and E. coli morphological changes also support a direct oxidation mechanism. Advantages of the electrochemical MWNT filter for pathogen removal and inactivation and potential for point-of-use drinking water treatment are discussed.     

Life-cycle effects of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) on an estuarine meiobenthic copepod

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) are finding increasing use in consumer electronics and structural composites. These nanomaterials and their manufacturing byproducts may eventually reach estuarine systems through wastewater discharge. The acute and chronic toxicity of SWNTs were evaluated using full life-cycle bioassays with the estuarine copepod Amphiascus tenuiremis (ASTM method E-2317-04). A synchronous cohort of naupliar larvae was assayed by culturing individual larvae to adulthood in individual 96-well microplate wells amended with SWNTs in seawater. Copepods were exposed to "as prepared" (AP) SWNTs, electrophoretically purified SWNTs, or a fluorescent fraction of nanocarbon synthetic byproducts. Copepods ingesting purified SWNTs showed no significant effects on mortality, development, and reproduction across exposures (p < 0.05). In contrast, exposure to the more complex AP-SWNT mixture significantly increased life-cycle mortality, reduced fertilization rates, and reduced molting success in the highest exposure (10 mg x L(-1)) (p < 0.05). Exposure to small fluorescent nanocarbon byproducts caused significantly increased life-cycle mortality at 10 mg x L(-1) (p < 0.05). The fluorescent nanocarbon fraction also caused significant reduction in life-cycle molting success for all exposures (p < 0.05). These results suggest size-dependent toxicity of SWNT-based nanomaterials, with the smallest synthetic byproduct fractions causing increased mortality and delayed copepod development over the concentration ranges tested.     

Heat inactivation of beta-lactam antibiotics in milk

The presence of residues of antimicrobial substances in milk is one of the main concerns of the milk industry, as it poses a risk of toxicity to public health, and can seriously influence the technological properties of milk and dairy products. Moreover, the information available on the thermostability characteristics of these residues, particularly regarding the heat treatments used in control laboratories and the dairy industry, is very scarce. The aim of the study was, therefore, to analyze the effect of different heat treatments (40 degrees C for 10 min, 60 degrees C for 30 min, 83 degrees C for 10 min, 120 degrees C for 20 min, and 140 degrees C for 10 s) on milk samples fortified with three concentrations of nine beta-lactam antibiotics (penicillin G: 3, 6, and 12 microg/liter; ampicillin: 4, 8, and 16 microg/liter; amoxicillin: 4, 8, and 16 microg/liter; cloxacillin: 60, 120, and 240 microg/liter; cefoperazone: 55, 110, and 220 microg/liter; cefquinome: 100, 200, and 400 microg/liter; cefuroxime: 65, 130, and 260 microg/liter; cephalexin: 80, 160, and 220 microg/ liter; and cephalonium: 15, 30, and 60 microg/liter). The method used was a bioassay based on the inhibition of Geobacillus stearothermophilus var. calidolactis. The results showed that heating milk samples at 40 degrees C for 10 min hardly produced any heat inactivation at all, while the treatment at 83 degrees C for 10 min caused a 20% loss in penicillin G, 27% in cephalexin, and 35% in cefuroxime. Of the three dairy industry heat treatments studied in this work, low pasteurization (60 degrees C for 30 min) and treatment at 140 degrees C for 10 s only caused a small loss of antimicrobial activity, whereas classic sterilization (120 degrees C for 20 min) showed a high level of heat inactivation of over 65% for penicillins and 90% for cephalosporins.     

Migration of lactic acid, lactide and oligomers from polylactide food-contact materials

Polylactide (PLA) is used for manufacturing lunch boxes and for packaging fresh food in Japan. PLA can be hydrolysed relatively easily to produce lactic acid, lactide and oligomers. Different types of PLA sheet were subjected to migration tests under various conditions and the lactic acid, lactide and oligomers contents of the migration solutions were determined using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS). Furthermore, the change in molecular weight was determined by a migration test. PLA was stable at 40 degrees C for 180 days; the total of lactic acid, lactide and oligomers migration levels were 0.28-15.00 microg cm(-2). PLA decomposed clearly at 60 degrees C for only 10 days, the total migration levels were increased to 0.73-2840 microg cm(-2). PLA sheets with a high D-lactic acid content decomposed particularly rapidly. The amounts of alkali decomposition products, based on the conversion of lactide and oligomers to lactic acid by alkali hydrolysis, corresponded with the total migration levels.     

Sorption of organic contaminants by carbon nanotubes: influence of adsorbed organic matter

Sorption of three types of dissolved organic matter (DOM; i.e., humic acid, peptone and alpha-phenylalanine) by a mutiwalled carbon nanotube (MWNT40) and sorption of phenanthrene (Phen), naphthalene (Naph), and 1-naphthol (1-Naph) by the original and DOM-coated MWNT40 were examined. Sorption data of Phen, Naph, and 1-Naph by all sorbents were fitted with Freundlich and Polanyi models. MWNT40 had nonlinear isotherms for all DOMs examined. Sorption of DOMs by MWNT40 followed the order peptone > humic acid > alpha-phenylalanine. The humic acid used in this study had much lower sorption for Phen, Naph, and 1-Naph than MWNT40, but its coating did not make striking changes on sorption of these compounds by MWNT40, suggesting that humic acid coating dramatically altered the physical form and surface properties of MWNT40. Peptone coating made the strongest suppression on sorption of Phen, Naph, and 1-Naph by MWNT40 among the three DOMs used, due to its highest sorption on MWNT40, thus causing a great reduction in accessibility of sorption sites. Polanyi modeling results showed that reduction in the maximum volume sorption capacity (Q0) of MWNT40 induced by DOM coating followed the order Phen < Naph < 1-Naph. 1-Naph was less hydrophobic than Phen and Naph but it had much higher sorbed volume (V(m)) than Phen and Naph at individual RT In(S(w)/C(e))/V(s)points for all sorbents. The correlation curve for the Polanyi model was applicable for sorption of aromatic compounds of similar structure by the original and DOM-coated carbon nanotubes.     

Levels of mycotoxins and sample cytotoxicity of selected organic and conventional grain-based products purchased from Finnish and Italian markets

The contamination levels of 16 different Fusarium- and Aspergillus-mycotoxins were chemically determined from randomly selected organic and conventional grain-based products purchased from Finnish and Italian markets. The cytotoxicity of the samples was analyzed with an in vitro test using feline fetal lung cells. Overall, the concentrations of the mycotoxins studied were low in all of the samples. Enniatins B and B1 as well as deoxynivalenol were the most predominant mycotoxins in the samples, being present in 97%, 97%, and 90% of the samples, respectively. The geographical origin or the agricultural practice had no influence on the mycotoxin concentrations of the samples. The babyfoods included in the samples had significantly lower concentrations of mycotoxins than the other products with a mean total mycotoxin content of 47 microg/kg compared with 99 microg/kg for the other kinds of food. All the samples evoked toxicity in the in vitro test, but no correlation between cytotoxicity and the mycotoxin concentrations was observed.     

Food protective effect of acaricidal components isolated from anise seeds against the stored food mite, Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank)

The acaricidal activity of anise seed-isolated anisaldehyde and commercially available components of anise seed was examined against Tyrophagus putrescentiae adults and compared with those of synthetic acaricides, benzyl benzoate, dibutyl phthalate, and N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET). On the basis of LD50 (50% lethal dose) values, the compound most toxic to T. putrescentiae adults was anisaldehyde (LD50, 0.96 microg/cm2), followed by benzyl benzoate (LD50, 11.3 microg/cm2), anethole (LD50, 12.3 microg/cm2), dibutyl phthalate (LD50, 13.3 microg/cm2), DEET (LD50, 13.5 microg/cm2), estragole (LD50, 17.4 microg/cm2), and myrcene (LD50, 56.2 microg/cm2). Anisaldehyde was about 11.8 and 14 times more toxic than benzyl benzoate and DEET against T. putrescentiae adults, respectively. The results suggested that anisaldehyde, anethole, estragole, and myrcene derived from anise seeds are useful as a lead compound to development new agents for selective control of the stored food mite.     

Impact of surface functionalization on bacterial cytotoxicity of single-walled carbon nanotubes

The addition of surface functional groups to single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) is realized as an opportunity to achieve enhanced functionality in the intended application. At the same time, several functionalized SWNTs (fSWNTs), compared to SWNTs, have been shown to exhibit decreased cytotoxicity. Therefore, this unique class of emerging nanomaterials offers the potential enhancement of SWNT applications and potentially simultaneous reduction of their negative human health and environmental impacts depending on the specific functionalization. Here, the percent cell viability loss of Escherichia coli K12 resulting from the interaction with nine fSWNTs, n-propylamine, phenylhydrazine, hydroxyl, phenydicarboxy, phenyl, sulfonic acid, n-butyl, diphenylcyclopropyl, and hydrazine SWNT, is presented. The functional groups range in molecular size, chemical composition, and physicochemical properties. While physiochemical characteristics of the fSWNTs did not correlate, either singularly or in combination, with the observed trend in cell viability, results from combined light scattering techniques (both dynamic and static) elucidate that the percent loss of cell viability can be correlated to fSWNT aggregate size distribution, or dispersity, as well as morphology. Specifically, when the aggregate size polydispersity, quantified as the width of the distribution curve, and the aggregate compactness, quantified by the fractal dimension, are taken together, we find that highly compact and narrowly distributed aggregate size are characteristics of fSWNTs that result in reduced cytotoxicity. The results presented here suggest that surface functionalization has an indirect effect on the bacterial cytotoxicity of SWNTs through the impact on aggregation state, both dispersity and morphology.     

Epigenetic toxicity of hydroxylated biphenyls and hydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyls on normal rat liver epithelial cells

2-Biphenylol, 3-biphenylol, 2,2'-biphenyldiol, 3,3'-biphenyldiol, 3-chloro-2-biphenylol, and 4,4'-dichloro-3-biphenylol were evaluated using the scrape-loading/dye transfer (SL/ DT) technique to determine in vitro gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) in a normal rat liver epithelial cell line as a measure of the epigenetic toxicity. Cytotoxicity was determined using the neutral red uptake assay. A dose range of 0-300 microM was examined. Only 3,3'-biphenyldiol and 4,4'-dichloro-3-biphenylol induced cytotoxicity within the tested dose ranges. Noncytotoxic doses were selected for evaluation of epigenetic toxicity. 4,4'-Dichloro-3-biphenylol was most inhibitory to GJIC at the lowest dose. The cytotoxicity and GJIC inhibitory effects observed for 4,4'-dichloro-3-biphenylol might be, although not exclusively, a consequence of the lipophilic nature of this chemical. 3-Chloro-2-biphenylol was least inhibitory to GJIC. 3-Chloro-2-biphenylol was less inhibitory to GJIC than 2-biphenylol because of the presence of the chlorine functional group, which appears to attenuate the toxic effect of the ortho-hydroxyl group. Although cells were capable of complete recovery of GJIC after removal of each of the chemicals, only with 2,2'-biphenyldiol and 4,4,'-dichloro-3-biphenylol did the cells demonstrate partial recovery without removal of the chemical. The more noncoplanar conformation of 2,2'-biphenyldiol and 2-biphenylol might explain their more inhibitory behavior in comparison to 3,3'-biphenyldiol and 3-biphenylol, respectively.     

Antimicrobial activity of nisin adsorbed to surfaces commonly used in the food industry

The adsorption isotherms of nisin to three food contact surfaces, stainless steel, polyethyleneterephthalate (PET), and rubber at 8, 25, 40, and 60 degrees C, were calculated. For all surfaces, the increase in temperature led to a decrease in the affinity between nisin and the surface. The rubber adsorbed a higher amount of nisin (0.697 microg/cm2) in comparison with PET (0.665 microg/cm2) and stainless steel (0.396 microg/cm2). Adsorption of nisin to the stainless steel surface described L-2 type curves for all temperatures assayed. However, for PET and rubber surfaces, the isotherms were L-2 type (at 40 and 60 degrees C) and L-4 type curves (at 8 and 25 degrees C). Nisin retained its antibacterial activity once adsorbed to the food contact surfaces and was able to inhibit the growth of Enterococcus hirae CECT 279 on Rothe agar medium. The attachment of three Listeria monocytogenes strains to the three surfaces was found to be dependent on the surface, the strain, and the initial bacterial suspension in contact with the surface. The adsorption of Nisaplin on surfaces reduced the attachment of all L. monocytogenes strains tested. The effect of PET-based bioactive packaging in food was very encouraging. When applied to a food system, nisin-adsorbed PET bottles reduced significantly (P < 0.05) the levels of the total aerobic plate counts in skim milk by approximately 1.4 log units after 24 days of refrigerated storage (4 degrees C), thus extending its shelf life.     

Potential of Bacillus cereus for producing an emetic toxin,cereulide, in bakery products: quantitative analysis by chemical and biological methods

A method for the direct quantitative analysis of cereulide, the emetic toxin of Bacillus cereus, in bakery products was developed. The analysis was based on robotized extraction followed by quantitation of cereulide by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and an assay of toxicity by the boar sperm motility inhibition test. The bioassay and the chemical assay gave comparable results, demonstrating that the extracted cereulide was in a biologically active form. Cereulide was formed when cereulide-producing B. cereus strains were present at > or = 10(6) CFU/g in products with water activity values of > 0.953 and pHs of > 5.6. Rice-containing pastries accumulated high contents of cereulide (0.3 to 5.5 microg/g [wet weight]) when stored at nonrefrigeration temperatures (21 to 23 degrees C). Cereulide was not formed in products stored at refrigeration temperatures (4 to 8 degrees C). Cereulide is not inactivated by heating during food processing. Therefore, direct analysis of this toxin in food is preferable to cultivating methods for assessing the risk of food poisoning by emetic B. cereus.     

Natural organic matter (NOM) adsorption to multi-walled carbon nanotubes: effect of NOM characteristics and water quality parameters

The effect of natural organic matter (NOM) characteristics and water quality parameters on NOM adsorption to multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNT) was investigated. Isotherm experiment results were fitted well with a modified Freundlich isotherm model that took into account the heterogeneous nature of NOM.The preferential adsorption of the higher molecular weight fraction of NOM was observed by size exclusion chromatographic analysis. Experiments performed with various NOM samples suggested that the degree of NOM adsorption varied greatly depending on the type of NOM and was proportional to the aromatic carbon content of NOM. The NOM adsorption to MWNT was also dependent on water quality parameters: adsorption increased as pH decreased and ionic strength increased. As a result of NOM adsorption to MWNT, a fraction of MWNT formed a stable suspension in water and the concentration of MWNT suspension depended on the amount of NOM adsorbed per unit mass of MWNT. The amount of MWNT suspended in water was also affected by ionic strength and pH. The findings in this study suggested that the fate and transport of MWNT in natural systems would be largely influenced by NOM characteristics and water quality parameters.     

Inactivation of Escherichia coli O1 57:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, and Lactobacillus leichmannii by combinations of ozone and pulsed electric field

Pulsed electric field (PEF) and ozone technologies are nonthermal processing methods with potential applications in the food industry. This research was performed to explore the potential synergy between ozone and PEF treatments against selected foodborne bacteria. Cells of Lactobacillus leichmannii ATCC 4797, Escherichia coli O157:H7 ATCC 35150, and Listeria monocytogenes Scott A were suspended in 0.1% NaCl and treated with ozone, PEF, and ozone plus PEE Cells were treated with 0.25 to 1.00 microg of ozone per ml of cell suspension, PEF at 10 to 30 kV/cm, and selected combinations of ozone and PEF. Synergy between ozone and PEF varied with the treatment level and the bacterium treated. L. leichmannii treated with PEF (20 kV/cm) after exposure to 0.75 and 1.00 microg/ml of ozone was inactivated by 7.1 and 7.2 log10 CFU/ml, respectively; however, ozone at 0.75 and 1.00 microg/ml and PEF at 20 kV/cm inactivated 2.2, 3.6, and 1.3 log10 CFU/ml, respectively. Similarly, ozone at 0.5 and 0.75 microg/ml inactivated 0.5 and 1.8 log10 CFU/ml of E. coli, PEF at 15 kV/cm inactivated 1.8 log10 CFU/ml, and ozone at 0.5 and 0.75 microg/ml followed by PEF (15 kV/cm) inactivated 2.9 and 3.6 log10 CFU/ml, respectively. Populations of L. monocytogenes decreased 0.1, 0.5, 3.0, 3.9, and 0.8 log10 CFU/ml when treated with 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1.0 microg/ml of ozone and PEF (15 kV/cm), respectively; however, when the bacterium was treated with 15 kV/cm, after exposure to 0.25, 0.5, and 0.75 microg/ml of ozone, 1.7, 2.0, and 3.9 log10 CFU/ml were killed, respectively. In conclusion, exposure of L. leichmannii, E. coli, and L. monocytogenes to ozone followed by the PEF treatment showed a synergistic bactericidal effect. This synergy was most apparent with mild doses of ozone against L. leichmannii.     

Removal of cadmium and zinc from aqueous solutions using red mud

Red mud, an aluminum industry waste, has been converted into an inexpensive and efficient adsorbent. The product obtained has been characterized and utilized in batch and column operations for the removal of cadmium and zinc from aqueous solutions over a wide range of initial metal ion concentrations (1.78 x 10(-5) to 1.78 x 10(-3) M for Cd2+ and 3.06 x 10(-5) to 3.06 x 10(-3) M for Zn2+; contact time, 24 h) adsorbent dose (5-20 g/L), and pH (1.0-6.0). The removal of Cd2+ and Zn2+ was almost complete at low concentrations, while it was 60-65% at higher concentrations at optimum pH's of 4.0 and 5.0, respectively, with 10 g/L of adsorbent in an 8-10 h equilibration time. The adsorption decreased with increase in temperature. Kinetic studies have been used to describe the mechanism of adsorption. Chemical regeneration of the columns has been achieved with 1% HNO3.     

Recovery of Escherichia coli Biotype I and Enterococcus spp. during refrigerated storage of beef carcasses inoculated with a fecal slurry.

Three beef front quarters/carcasses were inoculated with a slurry of cattle manure. During storage at 4 degrees C, two sponge samples from each of three sites (i.e., 100 cm2 from each of two fat surfaces and 100 cm2 from a lean surface) were taken from each of the three carcasses on days 0, 1, 3, 7, and 10 after inoculation. The initial numbers of Escherichia coli averaged 2.0 log10 CFU/cm2 (1.21 to 2.47 log10 CFU/cm2) using the Petrifilm method and 2.09 log10 most probable number (MPN)/cm2 (0.88 to 2.96 log10 MPN/cm2) using the MPN method. The initial numbers of enterococci averaged 3.34 log10 CFU/cm2 (3.07 to 3.79 log10 CFU/cm2) using kanamycin esculin azide agar. In general, an appreciable reduction in the numbers of E. coli occurred during the first 24 h of storage; for the Petrifilm method an average reduction of 1.37 log10 CFU/cm2 (0.69 to 1.71 log10 CFU/cm2) was observed, and for the MPN method an average reduction of 1.52 log10 MPN/cm2 (0.47 to 2.08 log10 MPN/cm2) was observed. E. coli were not detected (<-0.12 log10 CFU/cm2) using Petrifilm on day 7 of the storage period on two (initial counts of 1.21 and 2.29 log10 CFU/cm2) of the three carcasses. However, viable E. coli cells were recovered from these two carcasses after a 24-h enrichment at 37 degrees C in EC broth. Viable E. coli cells were detected at levels of -0.10 log10 CFU/cm2 on the third carcass (initial count of 2.47 log10 CFU/cm2) after 7 days at 4 degrees C. No significant difference in recovery of viable cells was observed between the MPN and Petrifilm methods on days 0, 1, and 3 (P > 0.05). However, viable E. coli cells were recovered from all three carcasses by the MPN method on day 7 at an average of -0.29 log10 MPN/ cm2 (-0.6 to -0.1 log10 MPN/cm2). On day 10, viable cells were recovered by the MPN method from two of the three carcasses at -0.63 and -0.48 log10 MPN/cm2 but were not recovered from the remaining carcass (<-0.8 log10 MPN/cm2). Similar to E. coli, the greatest reduction (average of 1.26 log10 CFU/cm2, range = 1.06 to 1.45 log10 CFU/cm2) in the numbers of enterococci occurred during the first 24 h of storage. Because of higher initial numbers and a slightly slower rate of decrease, the numbers of Enterococcus spp. were significantly higher (P < 0.017) than the numbers of E. coli Biotype I after 3, 7, and 10 days of storage. These results suggest that enterococci may be useful as an indicator of fecal contamination of beef carcasses.