< X-Article-Number: bionet.microbiology Msg # 2071
< I am involved in trying to set up a post doc research project ba-
< sed on novel methods of treating water and wastewater. One aspect
< of this is the possibility that ultra sound may have a useful role
< to play in reducing microbial levels without the production of
< byproducts as produced by chemical disinfection.
< Ultra sound can quite happily bust open parasites and bacteria but
< what about viruses? Has anyone any information on the survival of
< viruses (and other microorganisms would be helpful) when sonica-
< ted.
< The application of ultra sound in water and wastewater treatment
< seems to have not been widely used - is this because nobody has
< thought of it, it's too expensive or does it not work? Any info
< would be welcome. I have come across one reference to ultrasound
< being used on a full plant scale somewhere in the southern US (si-
< te not named). Has anyone any data on such plants?
< Ray Morris <wmorris at cix.compulink.co.uk ("William Raymond Morr")>
It is a good old problem, and I can illustrate it with old publica-
tions.
1. INHIBITION. Protozoa, yeasts, and bacteria can be destroyed with
ultra sound [1-5]. Viruses can be inactivated [6]. It has been sug-
gested that the effect reached by cavitation inside of liquid media
[1,7].
2. STIMULATION. Cells were not destroyed if the medium had been de-
gased preliminary [7]. And - a stimulation was shown sometimes [8]!
3. STERILIZATION. During II World War Dr.S.I.Kusnetzov (1900-1987)
investigated the problem. Later he was my Teacher, and I keep his
data on device, frequency, energy, termin of effect, etc.
4. PERSPECTIVES. The sterilization was worse (or - at least - more
expensive) than other methods (chlorination, etc.). But!- YOU CAN
USE IT FOR SPECIAL APPLICATIONS. For example, see: Grant Program on
environmental and microbiological safety of space station - you can
use it for re-sterilization of closed water container/system there.
1. Dognon A., Biancani E., Biancani H. Compt.rend.Societe de Biologie,
1932, p.754.
2. Marinesco N. Le Genie Civil, 1938, v.113, p.317.
3. Harvey E.N., Loomis A.L. J.gen.Physiol., 1931, v.15, p.147.
4. Chambers L., Flasdoff I. Proc.Soc.Exper.Biol.a.Med., 1936, v.34,
p.631.
5. Marinesco N., Trillat J. Compt.rend.Acad.Scien., 1933, v.196,
p.858.
6. Takahashi.., Christensen.. Science, 1935, v.80, p.415.
7. Stanley W.M. Science, 1934, v.79, p.339.
8. Jaoi.., Nakahara.. Japanese J.Exper.Med., 1934, p.131.
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Mikhail Vainshtein <vain at ibpm.serpukhov.su>
Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms,
Russ.Acad.Sci., Pushchino;
Fac.of Environ.Sci.& Biotechnology, Pushchino State University.
