| Autor: |
Summerlin HN 3rd; Department of Biological & Agricultural Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA., Pola CC; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA., Chamakura KR; Center for Phage Technology, Texas A&M AgriLife, College Station, Texas, USA.; Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA., Young R; Center for Phage Technology, Texas A&M AgriLife, College Station, Texas, USA.; Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA., Gentry T; Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA., McLamore ES; Department of Agricultural Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA., Karthikeyan R; Department of Agricultural Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA., Gomes CL; Department of Biological & Agricultural Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA.; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA. |
| Abstrakt: |
Water reuse programs are being explored to close the gap between supply and demand for irrigation in agriculture. However, these sources could contain hazardous microbial contaminants, and pose risks to public health. This study aimed to grow and irrigate romaine lettuce with inoculated wastewater effluent to track AP205 bacteriophage prevalence through cultivation and post-harvest storage. AP205 is a bacteriophage and was used as a surrogate for enteric viruses. Low and high dosages (mean ± standard deviation) of AP205 at 4.8 ± 0.4 log PFU/mL and 6.6 ± 0.2 log PFU/mL; respectively, were prepared to examine viral load influence on contamination levels. Foliage, leachate, and soil contamination levels were directly related to AP205 concentrations in the effluent. AP205 concentrations increased throughout cultivation for foliage and leachate, suggesting bacteriophage accumulation. During post-harvest storage (14 day at 4 °C), there was a significant decrease in AP205 concentration on the foliage. Results show that wastewater effluents usage for leafy greens cultivation can pose risks to humans and additional steps are required to safely apply wastewater effluents to soils and crops. |
