Assessment of Bacillus subtilis Spores as a Possible Bioindicator for Evaluation of the Microbicidal Efficacy of Radiation Processing of Water

Authors: Pribil, Walter; Gehringer, Peter; Eschweiler, Helmut; Cabaj, Alexander; Haider, Thomas; Sommer, Regina

Source: Water Environment Research, Volume 79, Number 7, July 2007 , pp. 720-724(5)

Publisher: Water Environment Federation

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Water Environment Research� (WER�) publishes peer-reviewed research papers, research notes, state-of-the-art and critical reviews on original, fundamental and applied research in all scientific and technical areas related to water quality, pollution control, and management. An annual Literature Review provides a review of published books and articles on water quality topics from the previous year.

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In this Subject: Earth and Environmental Sciences , General & Civil Engineering , Hydraulic & Environmental Engineering
By this author: Pribil, Walter ; Gehringer, Peter ; Eschweiler, Helmut ; Cabaj, Alexander ; Haider, Thomas ; Sommer, Regina

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Abstract:

Gamma and electron-beam irradiation of Bacillus subtilis spores suspended in different types of water was studied to evaluate the inactivation of the spores and assess their possible use as a bioindicator for radiation processing. We found that the inactivation proceeded endogenously, being dose-rate-dependent and affected by oxygen. The radiation resistance of the suspended spores was found to be rather high; therefore, B. subtilis spores used as a bioindicator for efficiency of water treatment by radiation under practical conditions might result in the spores being overly conservative surrogates for pathogenic microorganisms. Moreover, the dose-rate dependency impedes the use of the spores as a bioindicator. Thus, B. subtilis spores cannot be recommended as a bioindicator for evaluation of the microbicidal efficacy of ionizing radiation processing of water.

Keywords: radiation processing; electron beam irradiation; gamma irradiation; bioindicator; Bacillus subtilis spores; inactivation

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.2175/106143007X175889