Bacterial Removal from Inexpensive Portable Water Treatment Systems for Travelers

摘要: Background:There are many personal portable water treatment systems for travelers on the market, including chemical agents, iodine resin purifiers and filters. However, information real efficacy of these in field is often lacking. We have therefore estimated capabilities several inexpensive to remove bacteria various situations quality, using stressed indigenous strains bacteria. Methods: Four agents (Drinkwell chlorine®, Hydroclonazone,® Aqoatabs,® 2% ethanol), two (the straw PentaPure Outdoor M1-E,® Traveler® purifying filtration system) four filters flexible bottle Pres2Pure,® hand-pump Mini Ceramic,®, First Need Deluxe® WalkAbout®) were evaluated triplicate both turbid clear at 25°C. Bacteria counted by conventional culturing techniques, colorimetric fluorescent assays coliforms Escherichia colt enzyme activities (Colilert®/Quantitray® method), viable but not culturable assessed quantitatively 5-cyano-2,3-dilotyl-tetrazolium staining. Results:The best three filters, Ceramic,® Deluxe,® WalkAbout.® All had a submicron element that completely removed 3 log (99.9%) or more bacteria, no E. coliwere detected effluent. The PentaPureTraveler® than 99.3% bacteria.The only gave bacterial inactivation over 2 Drinkwell chlorine® Aquatabs,® ethanol. other devices, performed poorly, as coli treated Colilert® method. poorly raw river water; water. Conclusion:These data demonstrate differences between tested. effectiveness devices market should also be tested, so help hikers select most appropriate system.