The Experts below are selected from a list of 225 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Roy Macleod - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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“Strictly for the Birds”: Science, the Military and the Smithsonian's Pacific Ocean Biological Survey Program, 1963–1970
Journal of the History of Biology, 2001Co-Authors: Roy MacleodAbstract:Between 1963 and 1970, the Smithsonian Institution held a grant from the US Army to observe migratory patterns of pelagic birds in the Central Pacific. For six years, the Pacific Ocean Biological Survey Program (POBSP) collected a vast amount of data from a quarter of the globe little known to science, and difficult for civilians to access. Its reports were (and remain) of great value to science. In 1969, however, the Program became embroiled in controversy. Some alleged that the Smithsonian, by accepting the military's coin, had violated its own rules governing the receipt of government funds and the publication of research. Recent investigations have pointed to a number of unexplained relationships between the POBSP and the Army, during a period of intense activity in chemical and Biological weapons testing. The controversy marked a watershed in Smithsonian-military relations. As yet, its history is incomplete. What is known, however, suggests that the POBSP involved a highly problematic mesalliance between science and secrecy during the height of the Cold War. Its gradual unfolding prompts questions of contemporary relevance that await contemporary answers.
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Strictly for the birds : Science, the military and the Smithsonian's pacific ocean Biological Survey program, 1963-1970
Boston studies in the philosophy of science, 2001Co-Authors: Roy MacleodAbstract:Between 1963 and 1970, the Smithsonian Institution held a grant from the US Army to observe migratory patterns of pelagic birds in the Central Pacific. For six years, the Pacific Ocean Biological Survey Program (POBSP) collected a vast amount of data from a quarter of the globe little known to science, and difficult for civilian access. Its reports were (and remain) of great value to science. In 1969, however, the Program became embroiled in controversy. Some alleged that the Smithsonian, by accepting the military's coin, had violated its own rules governing the receipt of government funds and the publication of research. Recent investigations have pointed to a number of unexplained relationships between the POBSP and the Army, during a period of intense activity in chemical and Biological weapons testing. The controversy marked a watershed in Smithsonian-military relations. As yet, its history is incomplete. What is known, however, suggests that the POBSP involved a highly problematic misalliance between science and secrecy during the height of the Cold War. Its gradual unfolding prompts questions of contemporary relevance, that await contemporary answers.
Vittorio Colizzi - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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microBiological quality and genotoxicity of domestic water sources a combined approach using micro Biological Survey method and mutagenesis assay micronucleus test in root tips of vicia faba in the west region of cameroon
PLOS ONE, 2021Co-Authors: Rodrigue Biguioh Mabvouna, Sali Ben Béchir Adogaye, Martin Sanou Sobze, Jean Blaise Kemogne, Patrick Pete Nkamedjie, Andrillene Laure Deutou Wondeu, Vittorio ColizziAbstract:At least 2.1 billion people around the world use contaminated drinking water, causing 485,000 diarrheal deaths each year, mostly among children under 5 years old. A study conducted 10 years ago in Bafoussam (West Cameroon) recorded concentrations of bacteria among surface and groundwater. High levels of bicarbonates, phosphates, chlorides and suspended matters were also found. The aim of this study was to assess the microBiological and chemical qualities of domestic water sources in 5 localities of the West region of Cameroon. Water samples from 22 water sources (wells, springs, water drilling and river) were aseptically collected in plastic bottles and transferred in 50 ml sterile tubes. For chlorinated water sources, 1 ml of Thiosulfate was added to the water sample; immediately placed in an ice box and transported to the laboratory for analysis. Water temperature and pH were measured on site. The microBiological quality of water was determined by testing Total Coliforms (TC) using the Micro Biological Survey method. 1 ml of each water sample was inoculated in the MBS vial initially rehydrated with 10 ml of sterile distilled water. The initial color of the vials is red. Color changes were monitored at three different time intervals (12h, 19h and 24h), corresponding to three levels of contamination. The chemical quality of water was assessed using micronucleus (MN) test in selected Vicia faba seeds secondary root tips permanently mounted in Dibutylphthalate Polystyrene Xylene mountant for histology after 72 hours of direct exposition in water samples and in dark. The mitotic indices and MN frequencies were evaluated in 10 root tips per site analysing 5000 cells per tip. Statistical analyses were done using Stata IC/15.0 software. The Student t-test was used for mean comparison and the significance level was set at 1%. The majority of samples were collected from wells (63.6%). The mean water pH ranged from 5.5 to 8.3 and the temperature varied from 23 to 26°C. A very high concentration of TC [>103 CFU/ml] was found in 8 (36.4%) samples. 10 (45.5%) and 2 (9.1%) samples turned yellow at 19 and 24 hours respectively after incubation corresponding to TC concentration of [10
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MicroBiological quality of water sources in the West region of Cameroon: quantitative detection of total coliforms using Micro Biological Survey method.
BMC public health, 2020Co-Authors: Rodrigue Mabvouna Biguioh, Sali Ben Béchir Adogaye, Patrick Martial Nkamedjie Pete, Martin Sanou Sobze, Jean Blaise Kemogne, Vittorio ColizziAbstract:Adequate supply of safe drinking-water remains a critical issue in most developing countries. The whole western region of Cameroon doesn’t have a sustainable continuous water supply system, which leads most people to use potentially contaminated water sources to meet their daily water needs. Previous, studies carried out in similar areas of Cameroon have highlighted the poor bacteriological quality of water sources used as drinking-water by the local populations. This study used the Micro Biological Survey method, a rapid colorimetric test for the quantitative detection of Coliforms in water samples. 22 water sources (12 improved and 10 unimproved) were identified; 1 water sample of 50 ml was collected in sterile plastic tubes, immediately kept in a refrigerator box and transported to the laboratory for analysis. 1 ml of each sample was inoculated in the Coliforms Micro Biological Survey (Coli MBS) vials initially rehydrated with 10 ml of sterile distilled water. The Coli MBS vials were closed, shaken for about 30 s for homogenization and then incubated at 37 °C. From the initial red color of the Coli MBS vials, changes in color of the reaction vials were monitored at three different time intervals (12 h, 19 h and 24 h), corresponding to three levels of contamination. The average distance (8.7 m) of the latrines from the nearest water source was less than the minimal recommended distance (15 m) to ovoid external contamination. The pH of water samples ranged from 5.5 to 8.3 and the maximum temperature found (26 °C) was almost at level favorable to outbreaks of waterborne diseases such as cholera. The presence of Total Coliforms was detected in 90.91% of the samples. 40% of samples were positive 12 h after the analysis beginning. High level of contamination was observed in unimproved water sources, 50% after 12 h corresponding to Total Coliforms concentration of 10
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Field Application of the Micro Biological Survey Method for a Simple and Effective Assessment of the MicroBiological Quality of Water Sources in Developing Countries.
International journal of environmental research and public health, 2015Co-Authors: Alyexandra Arienzo, Francesca Losito, Martin Sanou Sobze, Vittorio Colizzi, Raoul Emeric Guetiya Wadoum, Giovanni AntoniniAbstract:According to the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, "safe drinking-water must not represent any significant risk to health over a lifetime of consumption, including different sensitivities that may occur between life stages". Traditional methods of water analysis are usually complex, time consuming and require an appropriately equipped laboratory, specialized personnel and expensive instrumentation. The aim of this work was to apply an alternative method, the Micro Biological Survey (MBS), to analyse for contaminants in drinking water. Preliminary experiments were carried out to demonstrate the linearity and accuracy of the MBS method and to verify the possibility of using the evaluation of total coliforms in 1 mL of water as a sufficient parameter to roughly though accurately determine water microBiological quality. The MBS method was then tested "on field" to assess the microBiological quality of water sources in the city of Douala (Cameroon, Central Africa). Analyses were performed on both dug and drilled wells in different periods of the year. Results confirm that the MBS method appears to be a valid and accurate method to evaluate the microBiological quality of many water sources and it can be of valuable aid in developing countries.
Giovanni Antonini - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Rapid MicroBiological Assessment in Raw Milk. Validation of a Rapid Alternative Method for the Assessment of MicroBiological Quality in Raw Milk.
2020Co-Authors: Nicla Marri, Francesca Losito, Simonetta Amatiste, Gilberto Giangolini, Loris Le Boffe, Lorenza Murgia, Alyexandra Arienzo, Giovanni AntoniniAbstract:The consumption of dairy products and the dairy industry is one of the main global agro-food sectors for size, economic importance and level of technology. MicroBiological quality of pasteurized milk or other milk products is dependent on microBiological quality of raw milk. A variety of microBiological count methods is available for monitoring the hygienic quality of raw milk. Among them, the pour plate method is the official essay for counting the number of colony forming units in milk samples according to ISO 4833-1:2013. The aim of the present study is the validation of the Micro Biological Survey (MBS) method, against the reference plate count method, for the assessment of the microBiological quality of raw milk. This comparative study, performed in collaboration with the “Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana M. Aleandri” (IZSLT), demonstrates the accuracy of this alternative method for the determination of total viable bacterial count in cow’s raw milk. The results obtained with the MBS method highlighting its potential as a valid tool for reliable microBiological analysis in dairy industries.
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Field application of the Micro Biological Survey method for the assessment of the microBiological safety of different water sources in Tanzania.
Journal of public health in Africa, 2018Co-Authors: Matteo Gionfriddo, Lorenza Murgia, Alyexandra Arienzo, Beatrice Nicolosi, Laura De Gara, Giovanni AntoniniAbstract:Access to safe water is stated within human rights as essential for life, as water can be a source of severe enteric infections threatening human health, in particular children from Developing Countries. Along with reference methods, need is pressing for alternative methods to flank reference ones to improve water safety on-site monitoring and in the absence of scientific facilities or even electricity supply. The Micro Biological Survey (MBS) method has already been successfully applied to water safety assessment in Developing Countries. A total of 18 water samples were collected from different sources (rivers, dug wells, tap water) within the Rukwa Region, Tanzania, and underwent analysis for Total Coliforms following the MBS method. Globally, rivers showed more frequently contamination, followed by dug wells, tap water and tanks. Results demonstrate the need for continuous monitoring of water sources, even in difficult frameworks lacking electric supply, to help improve control over water quality, possibly using alternative methods to simplify existing protocols.
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Integrating running water monitoring tools with the Micro Biological Survey (MBS) method to improve water quality assessment.
PloS one, 2017Co-Authors: Lorenzo Traversetti, Francesca Losito, Giovanni Antonini, Alyexandra Arienzo, Ottavia Stalio, Massimiliano ScaliciAbstract:Running water habitats are among the most altered aquatic systems by human activities driving an increase in the organic components and the associated bacterial load as well. To contribute in improving the monitoring activities in running waters, here we tested the validity of the new Micro Biological Survey (MBS) method to specifically assess the bacterial load in running waters focusing on Total Viable Counts (at 22°C and 37°C) and Escherichia coli (at 44°C) in order to propose a new prognostic tool for watercourses. MBS method is an alternative colorimetric method for counting bacterial load in water and food samples that is easy to use and leads to a reliable and simple interpretation of results, being also faster and less expensive than traditional methods. Then, we compared MBS with the traditionally used reference method for the bacterial load, and with the most used biotic index for Italian watercourses based on the benthic invertebrates: the Extended Biotic Index (EBI). The last comparison was performed to validate the use of MBS in biomonitoring activities since the benthic invertebrate multi-species assemblage (and then EBI) alter own structure mainly depending on the organic component variation. During the first part of the study, the assessment of both linearity (regressions among bacterial concentrations) and accuracy (significant correlation between a measured value and a value used as reference) confirmed the validity of the MBS method. Second, the linear regressions between the three investigated microbial parameters vs. both physical-chemical descriptors and EBI, revealed the usefulness of MBS as a valid tool for routine microBiological analyses involved in rapid and easy field monitoring activities. This represents the first attempt to evaluate the river microbial status by exploiting the innovative MBS on running waters to propose it as new valuable monitoring tool in the biomonitoring field.
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Field application of the Micro Biological Survey method for the assessment of the microBiological safety of different water sources in Horn of Africa and the evaluation of the effectiveness of Moringa oleifera in drinking water purification
Journal of public health in Africa, 2017Co-Authors: Francesca Losito, Lorenza Murgia, Alyexandra Arienzo, Ottavia Stalio, Daniela Somma, P. Zuppi, Elisabetta Rossi, Giovanni AntoniniAbstract:Water monitoring requires expensive instrumentations and skilled technicians. In developing Countries as Africa, the severe economic restrictions and lack of technology make water safety monitoring approaches applied in developed Countries, still not sustainable. The need to develop new methods that are suitable, affordable, and sustainable in the African context is urgent. The simple, economic and rapid Micro Biological Survey (MBS) method does not require an equipped laboratory nor special instruments and skilled technicians, but it can be very useful for routine water analysis. The aim of this work was the application of the MBS method to evaluate the microBiological safety of different water sources and the effectiveness of different drinking water treatments in the Horn of Africa. The obtained results have proved that this method could be very helpful to monitor water safety before and after various purification treatments, with the aim to control waterborne diseases especially in developing Countries, whose population is the most exposed to these diseases. In addition, it has been proved that Moringa oleifera water treatment is ineffective in decreasing bacterial load of Eritrea water samples.
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Field Application of the Micro Biological Survey Method for a Simple and Effective Assessment of the MicroBiological Quality of Water Sources in Developing Countries.
International journal of environmental research and public health, 2015Co-Authors: Alyexandra Arienzo, Francesca Losito, Martin Sanou Sobze, Vittorio Colizzi, Raoul Emeric Guetiya Wadoum, Giovanni AntoniniAbstract:According to the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, "safe drinking-water must not represent any significant risk to health over a lifetime of consumption, including different sensitivities that may occur between life stages". Traditional methods of water analysis are usually complex, time consuming and require an appropriately equipped laboratory, specialized personnel and expensive instrumentation. The aim of this work was to apply an alternative method, the Micro Biological Survey (MBS), to analyse for contaminants in drinking water. Preliminary experiments were carried out to demonstrate the linearity and accuracy of the MBS method and to verify the possibility of using the evaluation of total coliforms in 1 mL of water as a sufficient parameter to roughly though accurately determine water microBiological quality. The MBS method was then tested "on field" to assess the microBiological quality of water sources in the city of Douala (Cameroon, Central Africa). Analyses were performed on both dug and drilled wells in different periods of the year. Results confirm that the MBS method appears to be a valid and accurate method to evaluate the microBiological quality of many water sources and it can be of valuable aid in developing countries.
Martin Sanou Sobze - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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microBiological quality and genotoxicity of domestic water sources a combined approach using micro Biological Survey method and mutagenesis assay micronucleus test in root tips of vicia faba in the west region of cameroon
PLOS ONE, 2021Co-Authors: Rodrigue Biguioh Mabvouna, Sali Ben Béchir Adogaye, Martin Sanou Sobze, Jean Blaise Kemogne, Patrick Pete Nkamedjie, Andrillene Laure Deutou Wondeu, Vittorio ColizziAbstract:At least 2.1 billion people around the world use contaminated drinking water, causing 485,000 diarrheal deaths each year, mostly among children under 5 years old. A study conducted 10 years ago in Bafoussam (West Cameroon) recorded concentrations of bacteria among surface and groundwater. High levels of bicarbonates, phosphates, chlorides and suspended matters were also found. The aim of this study was to assess the microBiological and chemical qualities of domestic water sources in 5 localities of the West region of Cameroon. Water samples from 22 water sources (wells, springs, water drilling and river) were aseptically collected in plastic bottles and transferred in 50 ml sterile tubes. For chlorinated water sources, 1 ml of Thiosulfate was added to the water sample; immediately placed in an ice box and transported to the laboratory for analysis. Water temperature and pH were measured on site. The microBiological quality of water was determined by testing Total Coliforms (TC) using the Micro Biological Survey method. 1 ml of each water sample was inoculated in the MBS vial initially rehydrated with 10 ml of sterile distilled water. The initial color of the vials is red. Color changes were monitored at three different time intervals (12h, 19h and 24h), corresponding to three levels of contamination. The chemical quality of water was assessed using micronucleus (MN) test in selected Vicia faba seeds secondary root tips permanently mounted in Dibutylphthalate Polystyrene Xylene mountant for histology after 72 hours of direct exposition in water samples and in dark. The mitotic indices and MN frequencies were evaluated in 10 root tips per site analysing 5000 cells per tip. Statistical analyses were done using Stata IC/15.0 software. The Student t-test was used for mean comparison and the significance level was set at 1%. The majority of samples were collected from wells (63.6%). The mean water pH ranged from 5.5 to 8.3 and the temperature varied from 23 to 26°C. A very high concentration of TC [>103 CFU/ml] was found in 8 (36.4%) samples. 10 (45.5%) and 2 (9.1%) samples turned yellow at 19 and 24 hours respectively after incubation corresponding to TC concentration of [10
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MicroBiological quality of water sources in the West region of Cameroon: quantitative detection of total coliforms using Micro Biological Survey method.
BMC public health, 2020Co-Authors: Rodrigue Mabvouna Biguioh, Sali Ben Béchir Adogaye, Patrick Martial Nkamedjie Pete, Martin Sanou Sobze, Jean Blaise Kemogne, Vittorio ColizziAbstract:Adequate supply of safe drinking-water remains a critical issue in most developing countries. The whole western region of Cameroon doesn’t have a sustainable continuous water supply system, which leads most people to use potentially contaminated water sources to meet their daily water needs. Previous, studies carried out in similar areas of Cameroon have highlighted the poor bacteriological quality of water sources used as drinking-water by the local populations. This study used the Micro Biological Survey method, a rapid colorimetric test for the quantitative detection of Coliforms in water samples. 22 water sources (12 improved and 10 unimproved) were identified; 1 water sample of 50 ml was collected in sterile plastic tubes, immediately kept in a refrigerator box and transported to the laboratory for analysis. 1 ml of each sample was inoculated in the Coliforms Micro Biological Survey (Coli MBS) vials initially rehydrated with 10 ml of sterile distilled water. The Coli MBS vials were closed, shaken for about 30 s for homogenization and then incubated at 37 °C. From the initial red color of the Coli MBS vials, changes in color of the reaction vials were monitored at three different time intervals (12 h, 19 h and 24 h), corresponding to three levels of contamination. The average distance (8.7 m) of the latrines from the nearest water source was less than the minimal recommended distance (15 m) to ovoid external contamination. The pH of water samples ranged from 5.5 to 8.3 and the maximum temperature found (26 °C) was almost at level favorable to outbreaks of waterborne diseases such as cholera. The presence of Total Coliforms was detected in 90.91% of the samples. 40% of samples were positive 12 h after the analysis beginning. High level of contamination was observed in unimproved water sources, 50% after 12 h corresponding to Total Coliforms concentration of 10
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Field Application of the Micro Biological Survey Method for a Simple and Effective Assessment of the MicroBiological Quality of Water Sources in Developing Countries.
International journal of environmental research and public health, 2015Co-Authors: Alyexandra Arienzo, Francesca Losito, Martin Sanou Sobze, Vittorio Colizzi, Raoul Emeric Guetiya Wadoum, Giovanni AntoniniAbstract:According to the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, "safe drinking-water must not represent any significant risk to health over a lifetime of consumption, including different sensitivities that may occur between life stages". Traditional methods of water analysis are usually complex, time consuming and require an appropriately equipped laboratory, specialized personnel and expensive instrumentation. The aim of this work was to apply an alternative method, the Micro Biological Survey (MBS), to analyse for contaminants in drinking water. Preliminary experiments were carried out to demonstrate the linearity and accuracy of the MBS method and to verify the possibility of using the evaluation of total coliforms in 1 mL of water as a sufficient parameter to roughly though accurately determine water microBiological quality. The MBS method was then tested "on field" to assess the microBiological quality of water sources in the city of Douala (Cameroon, Central Africa). Analyses were performed on both dug and drilled wells in different periods of the year. Results confirm that the MBS method appears to be a valid and accurate method to evaluate the microBiological quality of many water sources and it can be of valuable aid in developing countries.
Alyexandra Arienzo - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Application of the Micro Biological Survey analytical method for the determination of bacterial load in cow raw milk.
Italian journal of food safety, 2020Co-Authors: Alessandra Cornacchia, Francesca Losito, Nicla Marri, Maria Antonietta Saletti, Violeta Di Marzio, Romolo Salini, Cristina Marfoglia, Elga Tieri, Nicola D'alterio, Alyexandra ArienzoAbstract:The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of "Micro Biological Survey - MBS Test" in the enumeration of bacterial load in cow raw milk. The MBS test is based on a colorimetric method recently developed and patented by "Roma Tre" University, Italy. The evaluation of the performance of the MBS method was carried out by comparison with plate count at 30°C (gold standard) and flow cytometry. Thirteen independent set of experiments were performed analyzing a total of 104 samples of cow raw milk with the selected methods. Results obtained using the MBS method are comparable with those obtained with the plate count method at 30°C (CFU/mL) and flow cytometry technology; in particular, the results obtained with the MBS method are very close to plate count's at 30°C. On the other hand, there are statistically significant differences between these two methods' and flow cytometry technology's results that could be due to the different experimental conditions.
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Rapid MicroBiological Assessment in Raw Milk. Validation of a Rapid Alternative Method for the Assessment of MicroBiological Quality in Raw Milk.
2020Co-Authors: Nicla Marri, Francesca Losito, Simonetta Amatiste, Gilberto Giangolini, Loris Le Boffe, Lorenza Murgia, Alyexandra Arienzo, Giovanni AntoniniAbstract:The consumption of dairy products and the dairy industry is one of the main global agro-food sectors for size, economic importance and level of technology. MicroBiological quality of pasteurized milk or other milk products is dependent on microBiological quality of raw milk. A variety of microBiological count methods is available for monitoring the hygienic quality of raw milk. Among them, the pour plate method is the official essay for counting the number of colony forming units in milk samples according to ISO 4833-1:2013. The aim of the present study is the validation of the Micro Biological Survey (MBS) method, against the reference plate count method, for the assessment of the microBiological quality of raw milk. This comparative study, performed in collaboration with the “Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana M. Aleandri” (IZSLT), demonstrates the accuracy of this alternative method for the determination of total viable bacterial count in cow’s raw milk. The results obtained with the MBS method highlighting its potential as a valid tool for reliable microBiological analysis in dairy industries.
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Field application of the Micro Biological Survey method for the assessment of the microBiological safety of different water sources in Tanzania.
Journal of public health in Africa, 2018Co-Authors: Matteo Gionfriddo, Lorenza Murgia, Alyexandra Arienzo, Beatrice Nicolosi, Laura De Gara, Giovanni AntoniniAbstract:Access to safe water is stated within human rights as essential for life, as water can be a source of severe enteric infections threatening human health, in particular children from Developing Countries. Along with reference methods, need is pressing for alternative methods to flank reference ones to improve water safety on-site monitoring and in the absence of scientific facilities or even electricity supply. The Micro Biological Survey (MBS) method has already been successfully applied to water safety assessment in Developing Countries. A total of 18 water samples were collected from different sources (rivers, dug wells, tap water) within the Rukwa Region, Tanzania, and underwent analysis for Total Coliforms following the MBS method. Globally, rivers showed more frequently contamination, followed by dug wells, tap water and tanks. Results demonstrate the need for continuous monitoring of water sources, even in difficult frameworks lacking electric supply, to help improve control over water quality, possibly using alternative methods to simplify existing protocols.
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Integrating running water monitoring tools with the Micro Biological Survey (MBS) method to improve water quality assessment.
PloS one, 2017Co-Authors: Lorenzo Traversetti, Francesca Losito, Giovanni Antonini, Alyexandra Arienzo, Ottavia Stalio, Massimiliano ScaliciAbstract:Running water habitats are among the most altered aquatic systems by human activities driving an increase in the organic components and the associated bacterial load as well. To contribute in improving the monitoring activities in running waters, here we tested the validity of the new Micro Biological Survey (MBS) method to specifically assess the bacterial load in running waters focusing on Total Viable Counts (at 22°C and 37°C) and Escherichia coli (at 44°C) in order to propose a new prognostic tool for watercourses. MBS method is an alternative colorimetric method for counting bacterial load in water and food samples that is easy to use and leads to a reliable and simple interpretation of results, being also faster and less expensive than traditional methods. Then, we compared MBS with the traditionally used reference method for the bacterial load, and with the most used biotic index for Italian watercourses based on the benthic invertebrates: the Extended Biotic Index (EBI). The last comparison was performed to validate the use of MBS in biomonitoring activities since the benthic invertebrate multi-species assemblage (and then EBI) alter own structure mainly depending on the organic component variation. During the first part of the study, the assessment of both linearity (regressions among bacterial concentrations) and accuracy (significant correlation between a measured value and a value used as reference) confirmed the validity of the MBS method. Second, the linear regressions between the three investigated microbial parameters vs. both physical-chemical descriptors and EBI, revealed the usefulness of MBS as a valid tool for routine microBiological analyses involved in rapid and easy field monitoring activities. This represents the first attempt to evaluate the river microbial status by exploiting the innovative MBS on running waters to propose it as new valuable monitoring tool in the biomonitoring field.
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Field application of the Micro Biological Survey method for the assessment of the microBiological safety of different water sources in Horn of Africa and the evaluation of the effectiveness of Moringa oleifera in drinking water purification
Journal of public health in Africa, 2017Co-Authors: Francesca Losito, Lorenza Murgia, Alyexandra Arienzo, Ottavia Stalio, Daniela Somma, P. Zuppi, Elisabetta Rossi, Giovanni AntoniniAbstract:Water monitoring requires expensive instrumentations and skilled technicians. In developing Countries as Africa, the severe economic restrictions and lack of technology make water safety monitoring approaches applied in developed Countries, still not sustainable. The need to develop new methods that are suitable, affordable, and sustainable in the African context is urgent. The simple, economic and rapid Micro Biological Survey (MBS) method does not require an equipped laboratory nor special instruments and skilled technicians, but it can be very useful for routine water analysis. The aim of this work was the application of the MBS method to evaluate the microBiological safety of different water sources and the effectiveness of different drinking water treatments in the Horn of Africa. The obtained results have proved that this method could be very helpful to monitor water safety before and after various purification treatments, with the aim to control waterborne diseases especially in developing Countries, whose population is the most exposed to these diseases. In addition, it has been proved that Moringa oleifera water treatment is ineffective in decreasing bacterial load of Eritrea water samples.