title: Potential for detection of microorganisms and heavy metals in potable water using electronic nose technology.
abstract: Studies have been carried out to determine the potential for the detection of different microbial species (Enterobacter aerogenes, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa), alone and in the presence of low concentrations of different heavy metals (As, Cd, Pb and Zn) in bottled, reverse osmosis (RO) and tap water, using an electronic nose. Studies show that it is possible to discriminate control water samples from water contaminated with 0.5 ppm of a mixture of metals. The presence of heavy metals may modify the activity of microorganisms and thus the volatile production patterns. Bacterial species at 10(2)-10(4) colony forming units (CFUs) ml(-1) could be detected after 24 h of incubation. Work is in progress to identify the limits of detection for a range of other microorganisms, including, fungi and cyanobacteria, and chlorinated phenols using electronic nose technology.
authors.affiliation: Applied Mycology Group, Institute of BioScience and Technology, Cranfield University, Bedfordshire MK45 4DT, Silsoe, UK. o.canhoto.s00@cranfield.ac.uk
authors.forename: Olinda F
authors.initials: OF
authors.lastname: Canhoto
authors.forename: Naresh
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Magan
mesh_terms: D032701:Biomimetics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D021902:Enterobacter aerogenes / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006092:Gram-Negative Facultatively Anaerobic Rods / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D007220:Industrial Waste / Q000032:analysis; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis*; D009812:Odorants / Q000032:analysis*; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014159:Transducers; D014867:Water / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D014871:Water Microbiology; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis; D014881:Water Supply / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D007220:Industrial Waste; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D014867:Water