AQUALITY

On-line industrial water quality analysis system for rapid and accurate detection of pathogens

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Currently the identification and quantification of pollutants in water are mostly carried out manually through sampling and subsequent laboratory analysis (off-line analysis), with methodologies of work that involve some significant costs in terms of displacement to sampling points, reagents and specialized personnel dedicated to the operation, leading to time consuming and economically challenging approaches, causing the number of analyses performed to be kept at the bare minimum. The industry therefore is calling for novel, cost-effective solutions to meet these new challenges: we propose to develop an online water monitoring device for microbiological contamination analysis, that allows industries and environmental protection agencies to replace the routine activities of sampling and laboratory testing of pathogens. The new system, which will be produced in two versions, both for online and for offline measurements, will be able to real time monitor the quality of industrial process water and effluents basing on an opto-ultrasonic device and on a lipid-based diagnostic kit. The novelty of our approach is the use of engineered liposomes for detecting bacteria in water: these are nanoparticles formed by a lipid bilayer enclosing an aqueous compartment displaying features that can be different (pH, ionic strength, composition) with respect to the bulk. We will load liposomes with a chromophore and will engineer them in order to make them specifically react with one target bacteria; this is the simple operating system of the AQUALITY system, which is completed by an ultrasonic unit to concentrate bacteria and an optical unit for detecting the sample colour change following to the interaction between liposomes and bacteria.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

EU researchers have created and tested a prototype biosensor that can rapidly detect bacterial pathogens in water.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Currently, the methods used to monitor water and determine its pollutants are manual, involving laborious sampling and costly laboratory assays carried out by specialists. The EU's Water Framework Directive (WFD) and the Directive on Environmental Quality Standards (EQSD) call for new approaches to monitor industrial process water and wastewater. Thus, there is an urgent need for real-time detection of waterborne pathogens.

With the support of EU funding, the 'On-line industrial water quality analysis system for rapid and accurate detection of pathogens' (http://aquality-project.eu (AQUALITY)) project proposed an online monitoring system that rapidly screens water for microbes.

The novelty of the AQUALITY method lies in the detection of bacteria using microscopic fat bubbles known as liposomes. These liposomes are to be engineered on a particular sensor to release a specific dye on interaction with different bacterial pathogens. The project aimed to develop liposomes specific for Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Salmonella species.

After identifying end-user needs, partners designed the architecture of the monitoring device with respect to output data, alarms in detecting bacteria, size and sensitivity. They also selected the most effective liposome and dye combinations.

A prototype device was built and successfully tested in the laboratory, followed by an industrial prototype installed at a water treatment plant in Norway. After three weeks, the AQUALITY prototype compared favourably with traditional water quality monitoring in terms of cost, time and sensitivity.

The AQUALITY system will serve as a replacement to existing methods for water monitoring, providing continuous and reliable screening of drinking water.