Online detection of pathogen-like water pollution using faecal pigments (Fec-Online)

Fluorescence of a faecal pigment

Fec-Online is an Indo-German research project aimed at developing a method to promptly detect faecal contamination in water.

A promising alternative for time-consuming measurements of pathogens in water is the detection of fecal pigments (FP) as indicator compounds by 2D fluorescence spectroscopy. Pigment analysis is very effective and has long been used for early warning against cyanotoxins in water. While algae pigments can be measured directly, fecal pigments are of lower concentration, so that the sensitivity and selectivity of the method must be improved.

As a result, a method based on the complexation of FP with transition metals has been developed which leads to a significant increase in the sensitivity of FP fluorescence. The limits of detection and determination of the fluorescence spectroscopic method is 28 ng/L and 77 ng/L, respectively.

The suitability of FP fluorescence as an indicator for fecal bacteria (enterococci, E. coli) was investigated within the framework of a monitoring program at various surface waters as well as wastewater treatment plant inflows and outflows. The fluorescence spectroscopic analyses were verified not only by bacteriological investigations but also by a chromatographic method (LC-MS) for FP detection. The results showed significant correlations between FP fluorescence and microbiological parameters (enterococci, E. coli).

Furthermore, bbe Moldaenke was able to develop and manufacture a prototype for an onsite device that determines FP by fluorescence. In the context of the monitoring program, it could be shown that it is suitable in principle for the determination of FP fluorescence.

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