Microbial Presence

Laboratory analysis of site soils should be made to determine the presence and population density of naturally occurring microbes that are capable of degrading the contaminant. At a minimum, these analyses should include plate counts to determine the relative number of microbes of several types, the substrate (food) type that reflects the type of chemicals they are likely to consume, and if toxic substances are present. 

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A rapid, nondestructive method based on determination of the spatial distribution of ATP, as a potential bioindicator of microbial presence and activity on monuments, artworks, and other samples related to the cultural heritage, was developed [57], After cell lysis, ATP was detected using the bioluminescent firefly luciferin-luciferase system and the method was tested on different kinds of surfaces and matrices. Figure 3 reports the localization of biodeteriogen agents on a marble specimen. Sample geometry is a critical point especially when a quantitative analysis has to be performed however, the developed method showed that with opti-... 

Several important parameters control aquifer bioremediation projects. These include hydraulic conductivity, soil structure and stratification, groundwater mineral content, groundwater pH, temperature, microbial presence, and bench-scale testing, as further discussed below. 

Temperature influences microbial presence and activity because it allows the formation of microorganism colonies that can only live at a certain temperature range. Warm temperatures promote the chemical reaction rate of microbial metabolism and enzymatic breakdown of polymers [15]. 

Another microbial polysaccharide-based emulsifier is Hposan, produced by the yeast Candida lipolytica when grown on hydrocarbons (223). Liposan is apparentiy induced by certain water-immiscible hydrocarbons. It is composed of approximately 83% polysaccharide and 17% protein (224). The polysaccharide portion consists of D-glucose, D-galactose, 2-amino-2-deoxy-D-galactose, and D-galacturonic acid. The presence of fatty acyl groups has not been demonstrated the protein portion may confer some hydrophobic properties on the complex. 

The presence of many nonprotein amino acids has been reported in various living metaboUtes, such as in antibiotics, some other microbial products, and in nonproteinaceous substances of animals and plants (7). Plant amino acids (8) and seleno amino acids (9) have been reviewed. 

Enzymatic Determination and Microbial Assay. In these methods, only the desired amino acid is detected ia spite of the presence of other amino acids. No expensive tools are needed for these determiaations. The required nutrients for microorganisms and practical operations for the microbial assay of amino acids have been reviewed (134,135). 

Racemization also occurs in the presence of microbial racemase. As for other amino acids, the racemase that is specific for glutamic acid is found in... 

Sorbate combined with mild heat has a synergistic effect with regard to microbial destmction thus, in the presence of 0.025—0.06 wt % sorbate, products such as apple juice, peach and banana sHces, fmit salads, and strawberries can be treated with less severe heat treatments to extend shelf life (119,120). Sorbates increase the heat sensitivity of various spoilage fungi under varying conditions of pH and water activity (121—124). A similar synergistic effect has been reported for the combination of sorbate with irradiation (125). 

Polarimetric determination of the sucrose concentration of a solution is vaUd when sucrose is the only optically active constituent of the sample. In practice, sugar solutions are almost never pure, but contain other optically active substances, most notably the products of sucrose inversion, fmctose and glucose, and sometimes also the microbial polysaccharide dextran, which is dextrorotatory. Corrections can be made for the presence of impurities, such as invert, moisture, and ash. The advantage of polarization is that it is rapid, easy, and very reproducible, having a precision of 0.001°. 

Biofilms can promote corrosion of fouled metal surfaces in a variety of ways. This is referred to as microbiaHy influenced corrosion. Microbes act as biological catalysts promoting conventional corrosion mechanisms the simple, passive presence of the biological deposit prevents corrosion inhibitors from reaching and passivating the fouled surface microbial reactions can accelerate ongoing corrosion reactions and microbial by-products can be directly aggressive to the metal. 

Contamination. Manufacturers of cosmetics must be careful to guard against chemical and microbial contamination. Chemical contamination, which may result from the presence of undesirable impurities in raw materials, is avoidable by adhering to rigid specifications for raw materials. Compendial specifications and pubHcations by the CTFA and other professional societies form the basis of most intracompany raw material specifications. Moreover, all packaging components must meet not only physical and design specifications but also such chemical requirements as extractables and absence of dust and similar contaminants (see Packaging, cosLffiTics and pharmaceuticals). 

An entirely different type of contamination arises from the presence of microbiota in a product. As in the case of chemical contamination, compendial requirements for microbiological purity exists. Pharmacopoeial standards vary from country to country, and manufacturers must use the specifications and kill times that meet local requirements. As of this writing, the criteria in the British Pharmacopoeia are more stringent than those estabUshed by the CTFA, which are stricter than those in the United States Pharmacopoeia. In order to meet commonly accepted standards of microbial purity, manufacturing faciUties must be periodically cleaned and all products that can support microbial growth must contain an effective preservative (6). 

Biotransformations are carried out by either whole cells (microbial, plant, or animal) or by isolated enzymes. Both methods have advantages and disadvantages. In general, multistep transformations, such as hydroxylations of steroids, or the synthesis of amino acids, riboflavin, vitamins, and alkaloids that require the presence of several enzymes and cofactors are carried out by whole cells. Simple one- or two-step transformations, on the other hand, are usually carried out by isolated enzymes. Compared to fermentations, enzymatic reactions have a number of advantages including simple instmmentation reduced side reactions, easy control, and product isolation. 

If the pH level of drilling fluid drops and the hydrogen sulfide test result is negative, there is a good possibility that carbon dioxide will be present. Positive results of microbial activity tests (described later) also indicate the possibility of carbon dioxide presence. Carbon dioxide meters are also available commercially and can be used. 

Many inhibitors will lose their effectiveness in the presence of one or more of these effects. Indeed inhibitors may act as nutrient sources for some microbial organisms. In these circumstances it will be necessary to incorporate suitable baaericides in the inhibitor formulations. 

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