Zero-Valent Iron and Sand Filtration Reduces Levels of <i>Cyclospora cayetanensis</i> Surrogates, <i>Eimeria tenella</i> and <i>Eimeria acervulina</i>, in Water

Zero-Valent Iron and Sand Filtration Reduces Levels of <i>Cyclospora cayetanensis</i> Surrogates, <i>Eimeria tenella</i> and <i>Eimeria acervulina</i>, in Water

Recurring outbreaks of cyclosporiasis linked to fresh produce demonstrate the need to develop interventions to reduce <i>C. cayetanensis</i> in irrigation water. <i>C. cayetanensis</i> is resistant to commonly used irrigation water treatments, such as chemical sanitizers, mak...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Alan Gutierrez, Matthew S. Tucker, Christina Yeager, Valsin Fournet, Mark C. Jenkins, Jitender P. Dubey, Kalmia E. Kniel, Benjamin M. Rosenthal, Manan Sharma
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Microorganisms
Subjects:
<i>Cyclospora cayetanensis</i>
zero-valent iron
<i>Eimeria</i>
water treatment
irrigation water
produce safety
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/12/11/2344
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Summary:Recurring outbreaks of cyclosporiasis linked to fresh produce demonstrate the need to develop interventions to reduce <i>C. cayetanensis</i> in irrigation water. <i>C. cayetanensis</i> is resistant to commonly used irrigation water treatments, such as chemical sanitizers, making removal of oocysts by filtration the most suitable intervention. This study evaluated the reduction of <i>Eimeria tenella</i> and <i>E. acervulina</i>, as surrogates for <i>C. cayetanensis</i>, in water using filters packed with sand alone or mixtures of sand and zero-valent iron (ZVI). Water inoculated with <i>Eimeria</i> spp. oocysts was filtered through laboratory-scale (PVC column) and field-scale (swimming pool filter) filters packed with either 100% sand or 50% ZVI/50% sand (<i>v</i>/<i>v</i>). Filtered and backflush water was examined microscopically for oocysts. Laboratory-scale filters with 50% ZVI significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.05) reduced 99.9% of <i>E. tenella</i> oocysts compared to 55.3% with filters containing 100% sand. At the field-scale level, 50% ZVI filters significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.05) reduced 70.5% of <i>E. acervulina</i> oocysts compared to 54.5% by 100% sand filters. Filters were backflushed to examine the recovery of these parasites during routine filter-media cleaning procedures. Backflush recovery of oocysts ranged from 4.42–16.7%. The addition of ZVI significantly improved the reduction of <i>Eimeria</i> spp. oocysts at both filter scales. and should be further investigated as a potential irrigation water intervention to reduce <i>C. cayetanensis</i>.
ISSN:2076-2607

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