Enteric bacterial contamination and survival on produce during irrigation with dairy wastewater in the field

Faezeh D. Manshadi, Martin Karpiscak, Charles P. Gerba

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

The goals of this study were to quantify enteric bacterial contamination and survival on several different types of produce during irrigation with wastewater from a dairy operation. Dairy wastewater was used to irrigate three different types of vegetable crops: lettuce, carrot, and bell pepper. This study was conducted over two consecutive growing seasons. Irrigation water and vegetable samples were examined for Escherichia coli and Clostridium perfringens. In the dairy wastewater, E. coli and C. perfringens concentrations averaged 8.2× 107 MPN/100 mL and 5.0× 104 CFU per 100 mL, respectively. Analysis of variance test results indicated that E. coli and C. perfringens concentrations detected on the three crops after irrigation were statistically different (p < 0.0001). The greatest contamination occurred on the carrots followed by lettuce and bell peppers. E. coli and C. perfringens were recovered from the carrots, bell peppers, and soil 49 days after wastewater irrigation of the plots had ceased. Moisture content of the soil was statistically significantly related to survival of the organisms in the soil.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)102-110
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Water Reuse and Desalination
Volume3
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 2013

Keywords

  • Clostridium perfringens
  • Dairy wastewater
  • Escherichia coli
  • Irrigation water
  • Lettuce
  • Produce

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Water Science and Technology
  • Filtration and Separation

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Enteric bacterial contamination and survival on produce during irrigation with dairy wastewater in the field'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this