Thesis (MSc Food Sc)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Fresh produce irrigation water from Western Cape Rivers carries faecal coliforms (FC) (Escherichia coli) at concentrations which often exceed the suggested limit of 1 000 FC per 100 mL and presents a health risk to consumers. On-farm ultraviolet (UV) irradiation presents several advantages for water disinfection but is an uncommon practice in South Africa. The aim of this study was to investigate the use of UV irradiation for river water disinfection prior to irrigation. Escherichia coli (E. coli) strains were exposed to low-pressure (LP) UV (4 mJ.cm-2) and UV/Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) (4 mJ.cm-2/20 mg.L-1) treatments in Sterile Saline Solution (SSS). Strain variation in reductions was observed and ranged from 1.58 to 3.68 and 1.34 to 3.60 log for the UV and UV/H2O2 treatments, respectively. The UV/H2O2 treatment (4 mJ.cm-2/20 mg.L-1) was more effective, compared to UV singly, against some of the E. coli strains. Selected strains showed increased sensitivity at higher UV doses (8, 10 and 13 mJ.cm-2) and H2O2 concentrations (100 and 200 mg.L-1 with 4 mJ.cm-2) but a 3 log target reduction was not always reached. For all UV and UV/H2O2 treatments maximum resistance was shown by an environmental strain. Reference strains should, therefore, not be used for the optimisation of UV based disinfection parameters. At 10 mJ.cm-2 an American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) reference strain and an environmental strain (ATCC 25922 and F11.2) were both significantly less inactivated in sterilised river water compared to SSS. Enhanced water quality allowed for improved inactivation of the ATCC strain. Also, the efficiency of LP UV (5, 7 and 10 mJ.cm-2) and medium-pressure (MP) UV (13, 17 and 24 mJ.cm-2) radiation was investigated using water from the Plankenburg River. Water was sampled and treated on three respective days (Trials 1 to 3). Physico-chemical and microbiological water quality was always poor. The FC concentration reached a maximum of 6.41 log cfu.100 mL-1 while UV transmission was always below 38%. For LP and MP UV irradiation increased doses resulted in increased disinfection but a 3 log reduction of FC was only attained when MP UV light was used in Trial 1. Disinfection efficiency was dependent on water quality and on the characteristics of the microbial population in the water. Since FC were never reduced to below 3 log cfu.100 mL-1, the water did not adhere to guidelines for produce irrigation. Photo-repair following irradiation was investigated in river water using MP UV doses of 13 and 24 mJ.cm-2 and 3.5 kLux reactivating light, initially. Ultraviolet transmission was close to 50% and total coliform (TC) reduction exceeded 3 log, even at 13 mJ.cm-2. However, TC were reactivated from below 1 000 cfu.100.mL-1 to 3.93 and 4.41 log cfu.100 mL-1 for the 13 and 24 mJ.cm-2 treatments, respectively. A higher MP dose (40 mJ.cm-2) and a different treatment regime (2 x 20 mJ.cm-2) inhibited photo-repair (compared to 13 and 24 mJ.cm-2) but TC were always recovered to a final concentration surpassing 3 log cfu.100 mL-1, even under lower light intensities (1.0 to 2.0 kLux). In the current study UV irradiation did not produce water of acceptable standards for produce irrigation, mainly as a result of extremely poor water quality. However, on farm-scale, UV efficiency could be enhanced by improving water quality before irradiation. Also, stronger lamps that deliver higher UV doses may result in adequate disinfection, irrespective of water quality. Higher UV doses and the use of combination treatments (such as UV/Chlorine and UV/Peracetic acid) should be further investigated also to determine its disinfection efficiency and possible capability to inhibit post-disinfection repair. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Varsproduk besproeiingswater vanuit Wes-Kaapse riviere bevat fekale kolivorme (FK) (Escherichia coli) in konsentrasies wat dikwels die voorgestelde limiet van 1 000 FK per 100 mL oorskry en hou `n gesondheidsrisiko vir verbruikers in. Plaasvlak ultraviolet (UV) bestraling bied verskeie voordele met verwysing na water dekontaminering, maar word selde aangewend in Suid-Afrika. Die doel van hierdie studie was om die gebruik van UV bestraling vir die dekontaminering van rivierwater, voor besproeiing, te ondersoek. Escherichia coli (E. coli) isolate is blootgestel aan lae-druk (LD) UV (4 mJ.cm-2) en UV/Waterstofperoksied (H2O2) (4 mJ.cm-2/20 mg.L-1) behandelings in Steriele Sout Oplossing (SSO). Isolaat variasie in reduksies is waargeneem en het gewissel tussen 1.58 tot 3.68 en 1.34 tot 3.60 log vir die UV en UV/H2O2 behandelings, onderskeidelik. In vergelyking met UV bestraling alleen was die UV/H2O2 behandeling (4 mJ.cm-2/20 mg.L-1) meer effektief teen sommige E. coli isolate. Geselekteerde isolate was meer sensitief tot hoër UV dosisse (8, 10 en 13 mJ.cm-2) en H2O2 konsentrasies (100 en 200 mg.L-1 met 4 mJ.cm-2), maar `n 3 log teikenreduksie was nie altyd haalbaar nie. Vir alle UV en UV/H2O2 behandlinge was die meeste weerstand deur `n omgewingsisolaat gebied. Verwysingsisolate behoort daarom nie aangewend te word vir die optimisering van UV-gebaseerde behandelingsparameters nie. By 10 mJ.cm-2 was beide `n ATCC verwysingsisolaat en `n omgewingsisolaat (ATCC 25922 en F11.2) betekenisvol minder gedeaktiveer in rivierwater as in SSO. Verbeterde waterkwaliteit het verhoogde inaktivering van die ATCC isolaat toegelaat. Die doeltreffendheid van LD UV (5, 7 en 10 mJ.cm-2) en medium-druk (MD) UV (13, 17 en 24 mJ.cm-2) bestraling is ook ondersoek deur watermonsters vanuit die Plankenburg Rivier te gebruik. Watermonsters was getrek en behandel op drie verskillende dae (Proewe 1 tot 3). Fisies-chemiese en mikrobiologiese kwaliteit van die water was deurentyd swak. Die FK konsentrasie het `n maksimum van 6.41 log kve.100 mL-1 bereik terwyl UV transmissie altyd laer as 38% was. Vir beide LD en MD UV bestraling het verhoogde dosisse gelei tot verbeterde dekontaminering, maar `n 3 log reduksie is slegs bereik toe MD UV lig gebruik is in Proef 1. Die effektiwiteit van die behandelings was afhanklik van waterkwaliteit en die eienskappe van die mikrobiese populasie in die water. Aangesien FK nooit tot onder 3 log kve.100 mL-1 verminder is nie het die water nie voldoen aan riglyne vir varsproduk-besproeiing nie. Fotoherstel na bestraling was ondersoek in rivierwater deur aanvanklik gebruik te maak van MD UV dosisse van 13 en 24 mJ.cm-2 en 3.5 kLux heraktiverende lig. Ultraviolettransmissie het byna 50% bereik en reduksie van totale kolivorme (TK) het 3 log oorskry, selfs by 13 mJ.cm-2. Totale kolivorme was egter geheraktiveer van onder 1 000 kve.100.mL-1 tot 3.93 en 4.41 log kve.100 mL-1 vir die 13 en 24 mJ.cm-2 behandelings, onderskeidelik. In vergelyking met 13 en 24 mJ.cm-2 het `n hoër MD dosis (40 mJ.cm-2) en `n veranderde bestralingstegniek (2 x 20 mJ.cm-2) fotoherstel onderdruk, maar TK was in elke geval geheraktiveer tot `n finale konsentrasie hoër as 3 log kve.100 mL-1, selfs onder laer intensiteit lig (1.0 tot 2.0 kLux). In hierdie ondersoek het UV bestraling nie water van aanvaarbare standaarde vir varsproduk besproeiing gelewer nie, hoofsaaklik as gevolg van swak waterkwaliteit. Nietemin, op plaasvlak mag die effektiwiteit van UV bestraling verhoog word deur waterkwaliteit voor bestraling te verbeter. Die gebruik van sterker lampe, om hoër UV dosisse te produseer, mag verder bydra tot voldoende dekontaminasie, ongeag van waterkwaliteit. Hoër UV dosisse en die gebruik van kombinasie behandelinge (soos UV/Chloor en UV/Perasynsuur) moet ook verder ondersoek word om die dekontaminasie effektiwiteit, en vermoë daarvan om heraktivering na dekontaminering te onderdruk, vas te stel.

The 2014 West Africa Ebola outbreak saw a substantial number of healthcare workers (HCWs) being infected, despite the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). PPE is intended to protect HCWs when caring for patients with Ebola virus disease (EVD), but PPE may play a role in the spread of Ebola in healthcare environments. Before the removal of PPE, chemical disinfection may prevent the transfer of pathogens to HCWs, but the efficacy of common disinfectants against enveloped viruses, such as Ebola, on PPE surfaces is relatively unknown. The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy of two common disinfectants, chlorine bleach (Clorox® bleach) and quaternary ammonium (Micro-Chem Plus®), used in healthcare settings for inactivation of enveloped viruses on PPE. The virucidal activity of the two disinfectants were tested against bacteriophage Φ6, an enveloped, non-pathogenic surrogate for enveloped viruses, on Tyvek suit surfaces. Virus was dried onto Tyvek suit surface, exposed to the disinfectants at use-dilution for a contact time of one minute, and the surviving virus was quantified using a double agar layer (DAL) assay. The Clorox® bleach and Micro-Chem Plus® produced a >3.21 log10 reduction and >4.33 log10 reduction, respectively, in Φ6 infectivity. The results of this study suggest that chlorine bleach and quaternary ammonium are effective in the inactivation of enveloped viruses on Tyvek suit surfaces. Chemical disinfection of PPE should be considered as a viable method to reduce the spread of pathogenic, enveloped viruses to HCWs, patients, and other environmental surfaces in healthcare settings.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:28:56Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-12-08Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:37:33Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 moffa_eb_me_arafo.pdf: 364520 bytes, checksum: 78b88b4b24e8bf9b375126539ce30932 (MD5) / Este estudo avaliou clinicamente o efeito de dois métodos para limpeza de próteses sobre a rugosidade, estabilidade de cor e a quantificação de micro-organismos de um reembasador rígido em diferentes intervalos de tempo. Foram selecionados 30 pacientes de ambos os gêneros com idade entre 40 e 80 anos, portadores de prótese total superior com necessidade de reembasamento. Essas próteses foram reembasadas com o material Tokuyama Rebase II Fast segundo as recomendações do fabricante. Em seguida, a amostra foi dividida em três grupos (n=10): GC (Grupo Controle) – os pacientes higienizaram suas próteses três vezes ao dia por meio de escovação com sabão de coco; GP (Grupo Perborato) – os pacientes realizaram escovação com sabão de coco e imersão diária da prótese em solução de perborato de sódio durante 5 minutos; GChx (Grupo Clorexidina) – nesse grupo, além da escovação com sabão de coco, foi realizada diariamente a imersão da prótese por 5 minutos em solução de digluconato de clorexidina 2%. Antes da colocação da prótese, os pacientes foram orientados a enxaguá-la adequadamente. A rugosidade superficial e estabilidade de cor do material reembasador foram avaliadas pelo profissional imediatamente após o reembasamento e após 7, 15, 30, 90, e 180 dias. A coleta de microoganismos foi realizada após 7, 15, 30, 90, e 180 dias. A rugosidade superficial foi mensurada através da utilização de um rugosímetro, que fornece valores em Ra-μm. A estabilidade de cor foi avaliada por meio de um espectrofotômetro portátil (BYK – Gardner). Os valores de ΔE obtidos foram comparados utilizando-se a classificação determinada pelo National Bureau of Standards (NBS). Análise de variância de medidas repetidas no tempo (p=0,05) foi empregada na avaliação dos métodos de desinfecção sobre a rugosidade superficial, estabilidade de cor e contagem... / This study evaluated the effect of two disinfection methods for dentures on the clinical performance and quantification of microorganisms of a hard chairside reline resin in different time period. Thirty patients aged between 40 and 80 who required denture reline treatment, participated in this study. Tokuyama Rebase II was used to reline the complete dentures. After that, the edentulous subjects were ramdomly divided into three groups (n=10) and dentures were cleansed according to three methods: CG (control group) - brushing with coconut soap and soft toothbrush; PG (Perborate group) - brushing according to previous methods and disinfection with sodium perborate for 5 minutes once a day during the entire evaluation period (180 days) and ChxG (Chlorhexidine Group) - brushing according to CG and disinfection with chlorhexidine digluconate 2% for 5 minutes once a day during the entire evaluation period (180 days). Surface roughness and color stability were assessed immediately after the relining and after 7, 15, 30, 90 and 180 days of treatment. Quantitative microbial cultures were taken from the tissue side of each maxillary denture after 7, 15, 30, 90 and 180 days of dentures disinfection. The surface roughness was measured using a roughnes meter, which provides values in Ramicrometers. The color stability was evaluated by means of a portable espctrofotômetro (BYK - Gardner). The ΔE values were compared using the classification determined by the National Bureau of Standards (NBS). Analysis of variance for repeated measures (p = 0.05) were used in the evaluation of disinfection methods on the surface roughness, color stability and microbial counts (cfu / ml). The analysis of variance with repeated measures identified a significant effect only on the time factor (p <0.001) for the values of surface roughness, discoloration and microbial quantification... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:28:57Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-02-04Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:58:50Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 moreno_a_me_araca.pdf: 1094331 bytes, checksum: 23ef0f4dabc4bc9f560778bae7c35338 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / As próteses oculares são responsáveis pela recuperação da estética e auto-estima do usuário. Assim, os materiais utilizados na confecção de prótese ocular devem possuir propriedades específicas para sua indicação e durabilidade. Desse modo, é importante avaliar o comportamento destes materiais quando influenciados por diversas soluções desinfetantes. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a microdureza, rugosidade superficial e alteração de cor de próteses oculares sobre a influência da desinfecção química e armazenagem. Foram confeccionadas 50 amostras simulando próteses oculares contendo duas resinas acrílicas (N1 e incolor), distribuídas em cinco grupos de acordo com o desinfetante utilizado: sabão neutro (I), opti-free (II), efferdent (III), hipoclorito a 1% (IV) e clorexidina a 4% (V). As amostras foram armazenadas por 120 dias, sendo desinfetadas durante este período. As leituras de microdureza, rugosidade e cor das amostras foram realizadas em um período inicial (B) e após 60 (T1) e 120 (T2) dias de armazenagem com desinfecção. A microdureza foi mensurada por meio de um microdurômetro, e a rugosidade determinada por um rugosímetro. A leitura de cor foi realizada por meio da espectrofotometria de reflexão, usando o sistema CIE L*a*b*. A alteração de cor (ΔE) foi calculada para os períodos entre T1 e B (T1B), e T2 e B (T2B). Pelos resultados obtidos a resina N1 para esclera apresentou menor microdureza estatisticamente significante, comparada a resina incolor (P<0,05). A maior alteração dos valores de microdureza e rugosidade foi obtida para os grupos IV e V. Ambos os períodos de desinfecção e armazenagem produziram alterações significativas (P<0,05) nas amostras com diminuição dos valores de... / Ocular prostheses are responsible to restore not only patient’s aesthetic but also its self-esteem. The materials used to fabricate the ocular prostheses should present specific properties regarding its indication and durability. Therefore, it is important to investigate the physical behavior of such materials when subjected to different disinfectant solutions. This study evaluated the microhardness, surface roughness and color stability of ocular prostheses under the influence of different chemical disinfectant solutions and storage. A total of 50 samples simulating an ocular prosthesis containing two acrylic resins (N1 and colorless) were fabricated. They were divided into five groups as a function of disinfectant solution: neutral soap (I), opti-free (II), efferdent (III), 1% hypochlorite (IV) and 4% chlorhexidine (V). Samples were storage during 120 days, and they were disinfected throughout the period. Microhardness, roughness and color measurements were performed at baseline (B), after 60 (T1) and 120 (T2) days of storage with disinfection. The microharness and the roughness measurements were evaluated using a microdurometer and a roughness meter, respectively. Samples colors were measured with spectrophotometer using CIE L*a*b* system. Color differences (ΔE*) were calculated for periods between T1 and B (T1B), and T2 and B (T2B). The N1 acrylic resin exhibited statistically lower microhardness when compared to the colorless acrylic resin (P<0.05). The highest microhardness and roughness alterations were observed for groups IV and V. Both disinfection and storage periods statistically reduced the microhadness values and increased the roughness values of the samples (P<0.05). Color alteration was... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Submitted by Élida Maeli Fernandes Quirino (maely_sax@hotmail.com) on 2018-06-15T19:50:05Z No. of bitstreams: 1 CLENILSON FERREIRA DA SILVA - DISSERTAÇÃO PPGEA 2004..pdf: 17082584 bytes, checksum: a09a08f2e0b07031cb1ef45f2c5c6b73 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-06-15T19:50:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 CLENILSON FERREIRA DA SILVA - DISSERTAÇÃO PPGEA 2004..pdf: 17082584 bytes, checksum: a09a08f2e0b07031cb1ef45f2c5c6b73 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2004-09 / Este trabalho teve, como objetivo a desinfecção do lodo anaeróbio oriundo de Digestores Anaeróbio de Fluxo Ascendente (DAFA), instalado no PROSAB/ Campina Grande-Pb, através da vermicompostagem com minhocas vermelhas da Califórnia. O experimento foi realizado durante o período de junho a outubro de 2002. O delineamento foi em blocos inteiramente causalizados, em esquema fatorial [(3 x 2) + 1], representado por três umidades (60, 70 e 80%) e dois compostos de lodo (lodo anaeróbio e lodo anaeróbio+bagaço de cana-de-açúcar), mais uma testemunha: absoluta (lodo anaeróbio a 85%), com quatro repetições. Após a desidratação do lodo anaeróbio. A vermicompostagem promoveu a remoção dos coliformes fecais em todos os tratamentos aplicados. Para os helmintos, a maior redução foi obtida quando da utilização do substrato sem bagaço de cana-de-açúcar, já em relação ao teor de umidade, a maior redução de helmintos foi conseguida a uma umidade de 70%. Quanto ao teor de metais pesados determinados nas amostras do vermicomposto, ficaram muito abaixo do máximo permissível para uso agrícola do lodo (USEPA, 1992). Observou-se também que, ao final do experimento a produtividade da Eisenia fétida (minhoca vermelha da Califónia) foi bastante satisfatório em alguns tratamentos. / This vvork had, as objective the disinfection of the anaerobic mud originating frora of Anaerobic Digestores of Ascending Flow (DAFA), installed in PROSAB / Campina Grande-Pb, through the vermicompostagem with red earthworms of Califórnia. The experiment was accomplished during the period of June to October of 2002. The delineamento was in blocks entirely causalizados, in factorial outline [(3 x 2) + 1], acted by three humidities (60, 70 and 80%) and two composed of mud (anaerobic mud and mud sugarcane anaeróbio+bagaço), one more witness: absolute (anaerobic mud to 85%), with four repetitions. After the dehydration of the anaerobic mud. The vermicompostagem promoted the removal of the fecal coliformes in ali of the applied treatments. For the helmintos, the largest reduction was obtained when of the use of the subsrratum without sugarcane pulp, already in relation to the humidity tenor, the largest helmintos reduction was gotten her/it a humidity of 70%. as for the tenor certain metais in the samples of the vermicomposto, they were a lot below the permissible maximum for agricultural use of the mud (USEPA, 1992). it was also Observed that, at the end of the experiment the productivity of fetid Eisenia (red earthworm of Califónia) it was quite satisfactory in some treatments.

Home based interventions are advocated in rural areas against a variety of diseases. The combination of different interventions might have synergistic effects in terms of health improvement and cost effectiveness. However, it is crucial to ensure cultural acceptance. The aim of the study was to develop an effective and culturally accepted home-based intervention package to reduce diarrhoea and lower respiratory illnesses in children. In two rural Peruvian communities we evaluated the performance and acceptance of cooking devices, household water treatments (HWT) and home–hygiene interventions, with qualitative and quantitative methods. New ventilated stove designs reduced wood consumption by 16%. The majority of participants selected solar water disinfection as HWT in a blind tasting. In-depth interviews on hygiene improvement further revealed a high demand for kitchen sinks. After one year of installation the improved chimney stoves and kitchen sinks were all in use. The intervention package was successfully adapted to local customs, kitchen-, home–and hygiene management. High user satisfaction was primarily driven by convenience gains due to the technical improvements and only secondarily by perceived health benefits. / Revisión por pares.

abstract: Disinfection byproducts are the result of reactions between natural organic matter (NOM) and a disinfectant. The formation and speciation of DBP formation is largely dependent on the disinfectant used and the natural organic matter (NOM) concentration and composition. This study examined the use of photocatalysis with titanium dioxide for the oxidation and removal of DBP precursors (NOM) and the inhibition of DBP formation. Water sources were collected from various points in the treatment process, treated with photocatalysis, and chlorinated to analyze the implications on total trihalomethane (TTHM) and the five haloacetic acids (HAA5) formations. The three sub-objectives for this study included: the comparison of enhanced and standard coagulation to photocatalysis for the removal of DBP precursors; the analysis of photocatalysis and characterization of organic matter using size exclusion chromatography and fluorescence spectroscopy and excitation-emission matrices; and the analysis of photocatalysis before GAC filtration. There were consistencies in the trends for each objective including reduced DBP precursors, measured as dissolved organic carbon DOC concentration and UV absorbance at 254 nm. Both of these parameters decreased with increased photocatalytic treatment and could be due in part to the adsorption to as well as the oxidation of NOM on the TiO2 surface. This resulted in lower THM and HAA concentrations at Medium and High photocatalytic treatment levels. However, at No UV exposure and Low photocatalytic treatment levels where oxidation reactions were inherently incomplete, there was an increase in THM and HAA formation potential, in most cases being significantly greater than those found in the raw water or Control samples. The size exclusion chromatography (SEC) results suggest that photocatalysis preferentially degrades the higher molecular mass fraction of NOM releasing lower molecular mass (LMM) compounds that have not been completely oxidized. The molecular weight distributions could explain the THM and HAA formation potentials that decreased at the No UV exposure samples but increased at Low photocatalytic treatment levels. The use of photocatalysis before GAC adsorption appears to increase bed life of the contactors; however, higher photocatalytic treatment levels have been shown to completely mineralize NOM and would therefore not require additional GAC adsorption after photocatalysis. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.S. Civil and Environmental Engineering 2011

This research used the tracer study method to determine more accurate disinfectant contact times in the City of Carbondale Water Treatment Plant. In this investigation, three clarifiers were selected to be the experimental segments. Water samples coming from each clarifier and the confluence of the three clarifiers were analyzed to obtain the disinfectant contact times. Based on a continuous source of infinite duration model and the tool "Solver" in Microsoft Excel, this study optimized the experimental data. The experimental data and the optimized data were then analyzed to determine the disinfectant contact times using the graphical method and the numerical method. The disinfectant contact times obtained between using the experimental data and the optimized data, and between using the graphical method and the numerical method were then compared. The results from the numerical method on the optimized data were most accurate and reliable according to these comparisons. The results suggested that the disinfectant contact times were 192.7 min for the first clarifier when its flow rate was 5.72 ML/d; 161.46 min for the second clarifier when its flow rate was 5.99 ML/d; 156.06 min for the third clarifier when its flow rate was 6.26 ML/d; and 168.48 min for the confluence of all clarifiers when its flow rate was 17.5 ML/d, respectively. The feed flows increase down the distribution manifold changing the disinfectant contact times for the clarifiers.

Bacterial contamination of platelet concentrates (PCs) represents the highest post-transfusion infectious risk. The skin flora bacterium Staphylococcus epidermidis has been reported to be the predominant aerobic contaminant of PCs. The Ramirez' group has shown that S. epidermidis can form surface-attached bacterial aggregates known as biofilms, and can outcompete other coagulase-negative staphylococci, such as Staphylococcus capitis, in PCs. The ability of S. epidermidis to form biofilms has been linked to increased pathogenicity and missed detection during PC screening with an automated culture system (BacT/ALERT). This thesis aimed at investigating the proliferative advantage and resistance mechanisms displayed by S. epidermidis in the PC milieu. Furthermore, in an effort to enhance PC safety for transfusion patients, I studied the anti-biofilm properties of essential oils and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). My studies aimed at improving PC safety by focussing on both the point of introduction of bacterial contaminants (blood collection), and the stage at which bacterial contaminants can form biofilms and proliferate (PC storage). S. epidermidis can be found in the skin of blood donors as biofilms, which are resistant to the blood donor skin disinfectant currently used by Canadian Blood Services, chlorhexidine-gluconate and isopropyl alcohol (CHG-IPA). Here, several plant-extracted essential oils were evaluated for their ability to enhance the anti-biofilm activity of CHG-IPA. Data revealed that the Lavandula multifida oil and its main component (linalool) greatly enhanced the activity of CHG-IPA against S. epidermidis biofilms. Furthermore, the ability of a combination of three synthetic AMPs to inhibit S. epidermidis biofilm formation during PC storage was assessed These results showed that the combination of AMPs could inhibit biofilm formation but was ineffective against pre-formed S. epidermidis biofilms. The accumulation associated protein (Aap) encoded by the aap gene, found in most S. epidermidis strains and absent in S. capitis, plays a role in biofilm formation. When S. epidermidis aap is transformed into S. capitis, this bacterium displayed increased biofilm formation and proliferated to higher concentrations compared to untransformed S. capitis and to a S. epidermidis aap deletion mutant. Based on these results, aap appears to play a role in providing S. epidermidis a proliferative advantage in PCs by enhancing biofilm formation. Lastly, the GraRS system and SepA were studied for their role in S. epidermidis resistance to platelet-derived AMPs using the synthetic AMP PD4 as a model molecule. Results indicate that the GraS mechanism is involved in resistance towards PD4. The work presented in my thesis provides further insights into why S. epidermidis has a proliferative advantage in the PC storage environment and allows for the proposal of alternative methods to enhance PC safety for transfusion patients.

Submitted by Emanuel Varela Cardoso (emanuel.varela@ufcg.edu.br) on 2018-08-16T17:40:05Z No. of bitstreams: 1 MARIANA RODRIGUES DE MEDEIROS – TESE (PPGEQ) 2018.pdf: 3274227 bytes, checksum: 32fe55d706b3471787e10976b906a72f (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-16T17:40:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 MARIANA RODRIGUES DE MEDEIROS – TESE (PPGEQ) 2018.pdf: 3274227 bytes, checksum: 32fe55d706b3471787e10976b906a72f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-04-10 / Capes / A inativação de bactérias patogênicas é um requisito fundamental no tratamento de água potável. Os avanços na pesquisa de tratamento de água têm sido direcionados para a aplicação de tecnologias que usam menos reagentes químicos, reduzindo assim a formação de subprodutos tóxicos e reduzindo o tempo de operação. Para tanto, objetivou-se projetar e avaliar a eficiência de um reator eletrolítico de bancada, composto pelo par de eletrodos: esponja de níquel (ânodo) e fibra de carbono (cátodo), operando de forma contínua, na desinfecção da bactéria indicadora Escherichia coli (E. coli). Inicialmente, os ensaios foram realizados com água de abastecimento público do LABDES/UFCG, contaminada em laboratório com uma concentração constante, avaliando os efeitos da aplicação das diferenças de potenciais (ddp) de 3,0 V, 5,0 V, 7,0 V e 9,0 V nos respectivos tempos médios de residência (tm): 46,8 s, 65,4 s, 82,2 s e 121,8 s, estimados experimentalmente através do método de injeção de uma solução traçadora (NaCl), nas vazões de 0,5, 1,0, 1,5 e 2,0 L.min-1, respectivamente, nos parâmetros físico-químicos e na desinfecção de E. coli dessa água. Posteriormente, foi proposto o estudo do desempenho do reator em relação aos mesmos parâmetros (condutividade elétrica, pH, turbidez e cor), acrescentando a análise de concentração de cloreto (Cl-). Nessa etapa, foram consideradas maiores faixas de ddp e um tempo médio de residência constante (121,8s), e avaliando diferentes tipos de águas (deionizada, solução de NaCl, água de abastecimento público de Campina Grande) sem e com contaminação de E. coli. Os resultados obtidos, em termos de percentuais de desinfecção de E. coli na água do LABDES, mostraram que sob as ddp de 5,0 e 7,0 V, esses percentuais foram de 99,84 e 99,40%, respectivamente para o maior tempo de residência (121,8 s). Nos experimentos realizados com as outras águas, chegou-se a 100% de desinfecção de E. coli na solução de NaCl contaminada com 103UFC.mL-1, nas densidades de corrente de 9,4 e 11,89 mA.cm-2, respectivamente, e na água de abastecimento público de Campina Grande nessa mesma ordem de concentração de bactéria, a desinfecção se mostrou 100% eficaz nas densidades de corrente de 9,92, 11,1 e 11,7 mA.cm-2. Os resultados mostram que a proposta do trabalho em remover grande parte ou 100% de E. coli de águas, principalmente as águas de consumo humano, foi alcançada. / Inactivation of pathogenic bacteria is a fundamental requirement in the treatment of drinking water. Advances in water treatment research have been directed toward the application of technologies that use fewer chemical reagents, thereby reducing the formation of toxic byproducts and reducing the time of operation. The objective of this study was to design and evaluate the efficiency of an electrolytic bench reactor composed of the electrode pair: nickel sponge (anode) and carbon fiber (cathode), continuously operating in the disinfection of the indicator bacterium Escherichia coli (E. coli). Initially, the tests were carried out with LABDES / UFCG public contaminated water in a laboratory with a constant concentration, evaluating the effects of applying the potential differences (ddp) of 3.0 V, 5.0 V, 7.0 V and 9,0 V in the respective average residence times (tm): 46.8 s, 65.4 s, 82.2 s and 121.8 s, estimated experimentally by the method of injection of a tracer solution (NaCl) at the flow rates of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 L.min-1, respectively, in the physico-chemical parameters and in the disinfection of E. coli from this water. Subsequently, it was proposed to study the performance of the reactor in relation to the same parameters (electrical conductivity, pH, turbidity and color), adding the analysis of chloride concentration (Cl-). In this step, we considered greater ranges of ddp and a mean constant residence time (121.8s), and evaluating different types of water (deionized, NaCl solution, public supply water of Campina Grande) without and with E. contamination. coli. The results obtained, in terms of percentages of disinfection of E. coli in LABDES water, showed that under the ddp of 5.0 and 7.0 V, these percentages were 99.84 and 99.40%, respectively, for the highest time of residence (121.8 s). In the experiments performed with the other waters, 100% disinfection of E. coli was achieved in NaCl solution contaminated with 103 CFU.mL -1, at current densities of 9.4 and 11.89 mA.cm-2, respectively, and in the public supply water of Campina Grande in the same order of concentration of bacteria, disinfection was 100% efficient at current densities of 9.92, 11.1 and 11.7 mA.cm-2. The results show that the proposal of the work to remove much or 100% of E. coli from waters, mainly waters of human consumption, was reached.