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Identification of Microbial Indicators and Free Living Protozoa in Natural Mineral Water Using Cultural and Molecular Methods.

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Submitted:

31 July 2017

Posted:

03 August 2017

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Abstract
Italian Directives recommends the good quality of natural mineral waters but literature data assert a potential risk from several microorganisms colonizing wellsprings and mineral water bottling plants. Aim of study is the identification of microorganisms from spring waters (SW) and bottled mineral waters (BMW) samples. Methods: Routine microbiological indicators, Legionella spp., Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), protozoa (FLA) and physical-chemical parameters were assessed in 24 SW and 10 BMW samples performing culture methods and molecular tests as PCR and qPCR. Results: In 33 out of 34 samples no cultivable bacteria were isolated with the exception of 83 CFU/L of Mycobacterium gilvum, detected in one warm rich-mineralized SW. qPCR showed the presence of Legionella genomic units in 24% of samples (mean 2,9x102±1,7x102 GU/L) and NTM genomic units in 18% of samples (mean 5,7x103±4,1x103 GU/L). Vermamoeba vermiformis and Acanthamoeba polyphaga were recovered respectively in 70% of BMW samples (counts from 1,3x103 to 1,2x105) and 42% of SW samples (counts from 1,1x103 to 1,3x104). Vahlkampfia spp. was detected in 42% of SW and 70% of BMW samples (mean 1,3x104 ±2,9x103 GU/L). Conclusion: The study highlights a low rate of microbial risk and the importance of risk assessment in natural mineral waters.
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Subject: Biology and Life Sciences  -   Immunology and Microbiology
Copyright: This open access article is published under a Creative Commons CC BY 4.0 license, which permit the free download, distribution, and reuse, provided that the author and preprint are cited in any reuse.
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