Human waste water and human-derived pathogen scouting tool
Inventors
Turbe, Mary M. • Cahoon, Lawrence B.
Assignees
University of North Carolina at Wilmington
Publication Number
US-11828708-B2
Publication Date
2023-11-28
Expiration Date
2038-09-27
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Abstract
The present subject matter provides processes and kits for identifying the presence of waste water or human-derived pathogens, particularly those associated with the presence of human fecal matter, in surface or subsurface water sources.
Core Innovation
The invention provides processes and kits for identifying the presence of human-derived pathogens, especially those associated with human fecal matter, in surface or subsurface water sources. The invention addresses the detection of human waste contaminants and pathogens by using the association of optical brighteners, commonly found in laundry detergents, as tracers for waste water. The detection method leverages solid phase extraction techniques and fluorescence analysis to rapidly determine contamination.
A problem highlighted is the lack of a rapid field test that provides on-site results for the presence and source of human fecal matter and associated pathogens in water. Existing methods for microbial source tracking are not well suited for real-time, in-field deployment, which complicates efforts to identify contamination sources and makes timely mitigation difficult. The invention remedies this by establishing a field-deployable process and composing specialized kits for on-site application.
The process involves collecting water samples, filtering them, and applying the samples to a solid phase extraction cartridge packed with optical brightener absorbing material. Interfering natural fluorescing compounds are reduced with a weak base, followed by elution and concentration of the optical brighteners using a polar or non-polar organic solvent such as methanol or PEG 400. The resulting eluent is analyzed with a fluorometric detector, where increased fluorescence is a positive indicator for the presence of waste water and associated human pathogens. The corresponding kits include all materials required for the process, enabling rapid detection at or near the point of sample collection.
Claims Coverage
There is one independent claim defining the primary inventive features of the invention.
Kit for identifying presence of human fecal matter, waste water, and human pathogens in water samples containing optical brighteners
The inventive feature consists of a kit comprising: - At least one solid-phase extraction cartridge. - Optical brightener absorbing packing material for the solid-phase extraction cartridge. - A fluorometric detector. - At least one aliquot of at least one weak base. - At least one aliquot of at least one solvent selected from the group including a polar organic solvent and a non-polar organic solvent. Optionally, the solid-phase extraction cartridge may be pre-packed with the optical brightener absorbing packing material.
The inventive feature centers on a kit assembled for detecting human fecal matter, waste water, and associated human pathogens in water samples by leveraging solid-phase extraction, specific packing materials, a fluorometric detector, weak base, and solvent.
Stated Advantages
The process and kits provide a rapid, real-time field method for determining the presence of waste water and associated human pathogens and fecal matter.
The invention offers a safe, cost-effective, and selective method for detecting human-derived pathogens in water sources.
Documented Applications
Analyzing water samples from natural or human-made sources such as ponds, rivers and streams, lakes, standing water, and outflow from septic systems to detect human-derived pathogens and optical brighteners.
Testing water samples from various locations of the same water source to aid in determining the point source of human waste and pathogens.
Use in field settings to provide on-site results for the presence of waste water and associated human pathogens.
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