Evaluation of positively charged alumina nanofibre cartridge filters for the primary concentration of noroviruses, adenoviruses and male-specific coliphages from seawater

J Appl Microbiol. 2010 Aug;109(2):635-641. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2672.2010.04691.x. Epub 2010 Feb 19.

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the electropositive, alumina nanofibre (NanoCeram) cartridge filter as a primary concentration method for recovering adenovirus, norovirus and male-specific coliphages from natural seawater.

Methods and results: Viruses were concentrated from 40 l of natural seawater using a NanoCeram cartridge filter and eluted from the filter either by soaking the filter in eluent or by recirculating the eluent continuously through the filter using a peristaltic pump. The elution solution consisted of 3% beef extract and 0.1 mol l(-1) of glycine. The method using a peristaltic pump was more effective in removing the viruses from the filter. High recoveries of norovirus and male-specific coliphages (>96%) but not adenovirus (<3%) were observed from seawater. High adsorption to the filter was observed for adenovirus and male-specific coliphages (>98%). The adsorption and recovery of adenovirus and male-specific coliphages were also determined for fresh finished water and source water.

Conclusion: The NanoCeram cartridge filter was an effective primary concentration method for the concentration of norovirus and male-specific coliphages from natural seawater, but not for adenovirus, in spite of the high adsorption of adenovirus to the filter.

Significance and impact of the study: This study demonstrates that NanoCeram cartridge filter is an effective primary method for concentrating noroviruses and male-specific coliphages from seawater, thereby simplifying collection and processing of water samples for virus recovery.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adenoviridae / isolation & purification*
  • Adsorption
  • Aluminum Oxide / chemistry
  • Coliphages / isolation & purification*
  • Filtration / instrumentation
  • Fresh Water / virology
  • Nanostructures / chemistry
  • Norovirus / isolation & purification*
  • Seawater / virology*
  • Water Microbiology
  • Water Purification / instrumentation*

Substances

  • Aluminum Oxide