Immunological detection of thymine dimers in indigenous genomic DNA from pre-disinfection drinking water as an ultraviolet disinfection dosimeter
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Blyth, J
Hazell, L
Templeton, MR
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Culture-based methods are the primary methods used for the routine detection and enumeration of bacteria and viruses in water samples. In the context of ultraviolet (UV) disinfection, they are also the basis for reactor validation in drinking water treatment systems. However, the majority of microorganisms in drinking water are not culturable. In UV disinfection, the DNA of both the culturable and non-culturable microbial populations will form pyrimidine dimers in response to UV photon absorbance. In this research an enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect thymine dimers in the extractable genomic DNA (gDNA) from the total microbial population in pre-disinfection drinking water as a UV disinfection dosimeter. The method was first optimised using “naked” (extracted prior to UV exposure) and in vivo (extracted post UV exposure) Escherichia coli gDNA, and then tested using water samples
from UK drinking water treatment plants. Samples were exposed to up to 120 mJ/cm2 of monochromatic (254 nm) UV light using a collimated beam device and an ELISA was applied to the gDNA. This approach, once optimised, resulted in linear relationships between the assay response and UV dose. This shows that ELISA-based enumeration of thymine dimers in total extractable gDNA from a mixed species population has the potential to provide a direct, relatively quick, sampling-based means of monitoring the UV disinfection dose being delivered by operating UV disinfection systems in drinking water treatment plants, without the need to spike a biodosimeter into the water nor take reactors out of service. Molecular techniques
2 measuring dimer formation may also offer the UV disinfection industry a method of demonstrating dose delivery where the culturing of target organisms is problematic.
from UK drinking water treatment plants. Samples were exposed to up to 120 mJ/cm2 of monochromatic (254 nm) UV light using a collimated beam device and an ELISA was applied to the gDNA. This approach, once optimised, resulted in linear relationships between the assay response and UV dose. This shows that ELISA-based enumeration of thymine dimers in total extractable gDNA from a mixed species population has the potential to provide a direct, relatively quick, sampling-based means of monitoring the UV disinfection dose being delivered by operating UV disinfection systems in drinking water treatment plants, without the need to spike a biodosimeter into the water nor take reactors out of service. Molecular techniques
2 measuring dimer formation may also offer the UV disinfection industry a method of demonstrating dose delivery where the culturing of target organisms is problematic.
Date Issued
2021-08-01
Date Acceptance
2021-08-01
Citation
Environmental Science: Water Research and Technology, 2021, 7 (11), pp.2010-2020
ISSN
2053-1400
Publisher
Royal Society of Chemistry
Start Page
2010
End Page
2020
Journal / Book Title
Environmental Science: Water Research and Technology
Volume
7
Issue
11
Copyright Statement
© The Royal Society of Chemistry 2021. This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence.
License URL
Identifier
https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2021/EW/D0EW00939C
Subjects
Science & Technology
Technology
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
Physical Sciences
Engineering, Environmental
Environmental Sciences
Water Resources
Engineering
Environmental Sciences & Ecology
UV DISINFECTION
IRRADIATION
CELLS
ASSAY
0399 Other Chemical Sciences
0905 Civil Engineering
0907 Environmental Engineering
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2021-09-07