Can e-coli results be obtained faster with tryptophan fluorometry?

Parameters: Tryptophan

The microbial contamination of waterways by fecal microbes, and specifically, pathogenic microbes, presents a major problem in the United States and worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that diarrheal diseases account for 1.8 million of the 3.1 million water-related deaths per year worldwide (Yan et al. 2007). Recreational waters are susceptible to variety of microbial pollution sources containing pathogenic microorganisms that can cause GI, upper respiratory tract, ears, eyes, nasal cavity and skin infections (Seurinck et al. 2006). Existing approaches typically used for measuring fecal indicator bacteria take 18-24 hours, which is too long since water conditions may change rapidly putting swimmers at increased risk. More rapid methods for water quality determination include the use of lake-specific predictive models and expensive molecular methods. An alternative approach hereby considered uses tryptophan fluorescence real-time. Click here to read full presentation.

Author: Elkana Kurgat Institution: Eastern Kentucky University, Madison County, KY, USA