title: Bactericidal and virucidal mechanisms in the alkaline disinfection of compost using calcium lime and ash.
abstract: In the present study, the bactericidal and virucidal mechanisms in the alkaline disinfection of compost with calcium lime and ash were investigated. Two indicator microorganisms, Escherichia coli and MS2 coliphage, were used as surrogates for enteric pathogens. The alkaline-treated compost with calcium oxide (CaO) or ash resulted primarily in damage to the outer membrane and enzyme activities of E. coli. The alkaline treatment of compost also led to the infectivity loss of the coliphage because of the partial capsid damage and RNA exteriorization due to a raised pH, which is proportional to the amount of alkaline agents added. These results indicate that the alkaline treatment of compost using calcium oxide and ash is effective and can contribute to the safe usage of compost from a mixing type dry toilet.
authors: Division of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, North 13, West 8, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-8628, Japan.
authors: Nowaki
authors: N
authors: Hijikata
authors: Division of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, North 13, West 8, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-8628, Japan.
authors: Rui
authors: R
authors: Tezuka
authors: New Industry Creation Hatchery Center, Tohoku University, Japan.
authors: Shinobu
authors: S
authors: Kazama
authors: Department of Human Environmental Science, Ochanomizu University, Japan.
authors: Masahiro
authors: M
authors: Otaki
authors: Division of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, North 13, West 8, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-8628, Japan.
authors: Ken
authors: K
authors: Ushijima
authors: Division of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, North 13, West 8, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-8628, Japan.
authors: Ryusei
authors: R
authors: Ito
authors: Division of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, North 13, West 8, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-8628, Japan.
authors: Satoshi
authors: S
authors: Okabe
authors: Division of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, North 13, West 8, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-8628, Japan. Electronic address: dsano@eng.hokudai.ac.jp.
authors: Daisuke
authors: D
authors: Sano
authors: Division of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, North 13, West 8, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-8628, Japan.
authors: Naoyuki
authors: N
authors: Funamizu
mesh_terms: D017610:Calcium Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D060729:Coal Ash / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003090:Coliphages / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D004203:Disinfection / Q000379:methods*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D010087:Oxides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry; D012988:Soil Microbiology
chemical_list: D017610:Calcium Compounds; D060729:Coal Ash; D010087:Oxides; D012987:Soil; C016538:lime
keywords: Alkaline disinfection; Ash; Calcium oxide; Compost; Dry toilet; Pathogen