Rupture of bacteria by explosive decompression

Supercritical CO2 sterilization: An effective treatment to reprocess FFP3 face masks and to reduce waste during COVID-19 pandemic

The outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic unveiled an unprecedented scarcity of personal protective equipment (PPE) available in sanitary premises and for the population worldwide. This situation fostered the development of new strategies to reuse PPE that would ensure sterility and, simultaneously, preserve the filtering properties of the materials. In addition, the reuse of PPEs by reprocessing could reduce the environmental impact of the massive single-use and disposal of these materials. Conventional sterilization techniques such as steam or dry heat, ethylene oxide, and gamma irradiation may alter the functional properties of the PPEs and/or leave toxic residues. Supercritical CO₂ (scCO₂)-based sterilization is herein proposed as a safe, sustainable, and rapid sterilization method for contaminated face masks while preserving their performance. The functional (bacterial filtration efficiency, breathability, splash resistance, straps elasticity) properties of the processed FFP3 face masks were evaluated after 1 and 10 cycles of sterilization. Log-6 sterilization reduction levels were obtained for face masks contaminated with Bacillus pumilus endospores at mild operating conditions (CO₂ at 39 °C and 100 bar for 30 min) and with low contents of H₂O₂ (150 ppm). Physicochemical properties of the FFP3 face masks remained unchanged after reprocessing and differences in efficacy were not observed neither in the filtration tests, following UNE-EN 14683, nor in the integrity of FFP3 filtration after the sterilization process. The herein presented method based on scCO₂ technology is the first reported protocol achieving the reprocessing of FFP3 masks up to 10 cycles while preserving their functional properties.

Shaving and breaking bacterial chains with a viscous flow

Some food and ferment manufacturing steps such as spray-drying result in the application of viscous stresses to bacteria. This study explores how a viscous flow impacts both bacterial adhesion functionality and bacterial cell organization using a combined experimental and modeling approach. As a model organism we study Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) "wild type" (WT), known to feature strong adhesive affinities towards beta-lactoglobulin thanks to pili produced by the bacteria on cell surfaces, along with three cell-surface mutant strains. Applying repeated flows with high shear-rates reduces bacterial adhesive abilities up to 20% for LGG WT. Bacterial chains are also broken by this process, into 2-cell chains at low industrial shear rates, and into single cells at very high shear rates. To rationalize the experimental observations we study numerically and analytically the Stokes equations describing viscous fluid flow around a chain of elastically connected spheroidal cell bodies. In this model setting we examine qualitatively the relationship between surface traction (force per unit area), a proxy for pili removal rate, and bacterial chain length (number of cells). Longer chains result in higher maximal surface tractions, particularly at the chain extremities, while inner cells enjoy a small protection from surface tractions due to hydrodynamic interactions with their neighbors. Chain rupture therefore may act as a mechanism to preserve surface adhesive functionality in bacteria.

A new era for sterilization based on supercritical CO2 technology

The increasing complexity in morphology and composition of modern biomedical materials (e.g., soft and hard biological tissues, synthetic and natural-based scaffolds, technical textiles) and the high sensitivity to the processing environment requires the development of innovative but benign technologies for processing and treatment. This scenario is particularly applicable where current conventional techniques (steam/dry heat, ethylene oxide, and gamma irradiation) may not be able to preserve the functionality and integrity of the treated material. Sterilization using supercritical carbon dioxide emerges as a green and sustainable technology able to reach the sterility levels required by regulation without altering the original properties of even highly sensitive materials. In this review article, an updated survey of experimental protocols based on supercritical sterilization and of the efficacy results sorted by microbial strains and treated materials was carried out. The application of the supercritical sterilization process in materials used for biomedical, pharmaceutical, and food applications is assessed. The opportunity of supercritical sterilization of not only replace the above mentioned conventional techniques, but also of reach unmet needs for sterilization in highly sensitive materials (e.g., single-use medical devices, the next-generation biomaterials, and medical devices and graft tissues) is herein unveiled.

Petit-High Pressure Carbon Dioxide stress increases synthesis of S-Adenosylmethionine and phosphatidylcholine in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Petit-High Pressure Carbon Dioxide (p-HPCD) is a promising nonthermal technology for foods pasteurization. Cluster analysis of gene expression profiles of Saccharomyces cerevisiae exposed to various stresses exhibited that gene expression profile for p-HPCD stress (0.5MPa, 25°C) was grouped into a cluster including profiles for Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate and Roundup herbicide. Both are detergents that can disorder membrane structurally and functionally, which suggests that cell membrane may be a target of p-HPCD stress to cause cell growth inhibition. Through metabolomic analysis, amount of S-Adenosylmethionine (AdoMet) that is used as methyl donor to participate in phosphatidylcholine synthesis via phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) methylation pathway, was increased after p-HPCD treatment for 2h. The key gene OPI3 encoding phospholipid methyltransferase that catalyzes the last two steps in PE methylation pathway was confirmed significantly induced by RT-PCR. Transcriptional expression of genes (MET13, MET16, MET10, MET17, MET6 and SAM2) related to AdoMet biosynthesis was also significantly induced. Choline as the PC precursor and ethanolamine as PE precursor in Kennedy pathway were also found increased under p-HPCD condition. We also found that amounts of most of amino acids involving protein synthesis were found decreased after p-HPCD treatment for 2h. Moreover, morphological changes on cell surface were observed by scanning electron microscope. In conclusion, the effects of p-HPCD stress on cell membrane appear to be a very likely cause of yeast growth inhibition and the enhancement of PC synthesis could contribute to maintain optimum structure and functions of cell membrane and improve cell resistance to inactivation.

Reduction of aerobic and lactic acid bacteria in dairy desludge using an integrated compressed CO2 and ultrasonic process

Current treatment routes are not suitable to reduce and stabilise bacterial content in some dairy process streams such as separator and bactofuge desludges which currently present a major emission problem faced by dairy producers. In this study, a novel method for the processing of desludge was developed. The new method, elevated pressure sonication (EPS), uses a combination of low frequency ultrasound (20 kHz) and elevated CO2 pressure (50 to 100 bar). Process conditions (pressure, sonicator power, processing time) were optimised for batch and continuous EPS processes to reduce viable numbers of aerobic and lactic acid bacteria in bactofuge desludge by ≥3-log fold. Coagulation of proteins present in the desludge also occurred, causing separation of solid (curd) and liquid (whey) fractions. The proposed process offers a 10-fold reduction in energy compared to high temperature short time (HTST) treatment of milk.

Viability and adaptation potential of indigenous microorganisms from natural gas field fluids in high pressure incubations with supercritical CO2

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is currently under debate as large-scale solution to globally reduce emissions of the greenhouse gas CO2. Depleted gas or oil reservoirs and saline aquifers are considered as suitable reservoirs providing sufficient storage capacity. We investigated the influence of high CO2 concentrations on the indigenous bacterial population in the saline formation fluids of a natural gas field. Bacterial community changes were closely examined at elevated CO2 concentrations under near in situ pressures and temperatures. Conditions in the high pressure reactor systems simulated reservoir fluids i) close to the CO2 injection point, i.e. saturated with CO2, and ii) at the outer boundaries of the CO2 dissolution gradient. During the incubations with CO2, total cell numbers remained relatively stable, but no microbial sulfate reduction activity was detected. After CO2 release and subsequent transfer of the fluids, an actively sulfate-respiring community was re-established. The predominance of spore-forming Clostridiales provided evidence for the resilience of this taxon against the bactericidal effects of supercritical (sc)CO2. To ensure the long-term safety and injectivity, the viability of fermentative and sulfate-reducing bacteria has to be considered in the selection, design, and operation of CCS sites.

High gas pressure: an innovative method for the inactivation of dried bacterial spores

In this article, an original non-thermal process to inactivate dehydrated bacterial spores is described. The use of gases such as nitrogen or argon as transmission media under high isostatic pressure led to an inactivation of over 2 logs CFU/g of Bacillus subtilis spores at 430 MPa, room temperature, for a 1 min treatment. A major requirement for the effectiveness of the process resided in the highly dehydrated state of the spores. Only a water activity below 0.3 led to substantial inactivation. The solubility of the gas in the lipid components of the spore and its diffusion properties was essential to inactivation. The main phenomenon involved seems to be the sorption of the gas under pressure by the spores' structures such as residual pores and plasma membranes, followed by a sudden drop in pressure. Observation by phase-contrast microscopy suggests that internal structures have been affected by the treatment. Some parallels with polymer permeability to gas and rigidity at various water activities offer a few clues about the behavior of the outer layers of spores in response to this parameter and provide a good explanation for the sensitivity of spores to high gas pressure discharge at low hydration levels. Specificity of microorganisms such as size, organization, and composition could help in understanding the differences between spores and yeast regarding the parameters required for inactivation, such as pressure or maintenance time.

Supercritical Fluid Pasteurization and Food Safety

Supercritical fluid pasteurization has been studied for over 20 years and the state of science and technology is such that it is now a viable and economical alternative to thermal pasteurization for a number of food products. The manufacture and distribution of food faces increasingly strict demands in terms of both safety and quality. Traditional thermal pasteurization is both effective and well-accepted by the public for milk and other products. However, thermal treatment is less effective and sometimes infeasible for certain products, such as fruit juices, seafoods and fresh vegetables. This is particularly true when the food products are packaged and shipped long distances. Supercritical fluid technology, a non-thermal, low temperature process, has been shown to reduce the viability of a number of pathogenic organisms important to the food industry. In addition, supercritical fluids, particularly CO2, have promise in deactivating subcellular pathogens such as prions and viruses. Numerous basic science investigations reveal the mechanism of supercritical fluid pasteurization and how it differs from thermal methods. Several commercial companies have issued patents and built demonstration plants based on the technology. In addition, certain supercritical fluids may provide additional benefits for food processors. This chapter provides a comprehensive review of both science and technology of supercritical fluid technology as applied to foods.

Application of Supercritical Fluid Extraction in Biotechnology

In the present paper recent investigations on the applications of supercritical fluid extraction (SCE) from post fermentation biomass or in situ extraction of inhibitory fermentation products as a promising method for increasing the yield of extraction have been reviewed. Although supercritical CO2 (SC-CO2) is unfriendly, or even toxic, for some living cells and precludes direct fermentation in dense CO2, it does not rule out other useful applications for in situ extraction of inhibitory fermentation products and fractional extraction of biomass constituents. This technique is a highly desirable method for fractional extraction of biomass constituents, and intracellular metabolites due to the potential of system modification by physical parameters and addition of co-solvents to selectively extract compounds of different polarity, volatility and hydrophilicity without any contamination.

High pressure carbon dioxide inactivation of microorganisms in foods: The past, the present and the future

Thermal pasteurization is a well known and old technique for reducing the microbial count of foods. Traditional thermal processing, however, can destroy heat-sensitive nutrients and food product qualities such as flavor, color and texture. For more than 2 decades now, the use of high-pressure carbon dioxide (HPCD) has been proposed as an alternative cold pasteurization technique for foods. This method presents some fundamental advantages related to the mild conditions employed, particularly because it allows processing at much lower temperature than the ones used in thermal pasteurization. In spite of intensified research efforts the last couple of years, the HPCD preservation technique has not yet been implemented on a large scale by the food industry until now. This review presents a survey of published knowledge concerning the HPCD technique for microbial inactivation, and addresses issues of the technology such as the mechanism of carbon dioxide bactericidal action, the potential for inactivating vegetative cells and bacterial spores, and the regulatory hurdles which need to be overcome. In addition, the review also reflects on the opportunities and especially the current drawbacks of the HPCD technique for the food industry.

Mammalian cell survival and processing in supercritical CO(2)

We demonstrate that mammalian cells can survive for 5 min within high-pressure CO(2)(.) Cell survival was investigated by exposing a range of mammalian cell types to supercritical CO(2) (scCO(2)) (35 degrees C, 74 bar; 1 bar = 100 kPa) for increasing exposure and depressurization times. The myoblastic C2C12 cell line, 3T3 fibroblasts, chondrocytes, and hepatocytes all displayed appreciable but varying metabolic activity with exposure times up to 1 min. With depressurization times of 4 min, cell population metabolic activity was >/=70% of the control population. Based on survival data, we developed a single-step scCO(2) technique for the rapid production of biodegradable poly(dl-lactic acid) scaffolds containing mammalian cells. By using optimum cell-survival conditions, scCO(2) was used to process poly(dl-lactic acid) containing a cell suspension, and, upon pressure release, a polymer sponge containing viable mammalian cells was formed. Cell functionality was demonstrated by retention of an osteogenic response to bone morphogenetic protein-2 in C2C12 cells. A gene microarray analysis showed no statistically significant changes in gene expression across 4,418 genes by a single-class t test. A significance analysis of microarrays revealed only eight genes that were down-regulated based on a delta value of 1.0125 and a false detection rate of 0.

Non-thermal bacterial inactivation with dense CO(2)

The use of CO(2) under pressure (dense CO(2)) is one of the most promising techniques to achieve cold pasteurization and/or sterilization of liquid and solid materials, and is likely to replace or partially substitute currently and widely applied thermal processes. Although the ability of CO(2) to inactivate microorganisms has been known since the 1950's, only within the last 15 years it has received special attention, and the scientific and economic interest towards practical applications is presently growing more and more. Here we collect and discuss the relevant current knowledge about the potentials of dense CO(2) as a non-thermal technology in the field of microbial inactivation. We summarize the state of the art, including definitions, description of the equipment, relevant applications, in both simple suspensions and complex media, for the treatment of a wide range of microorganisms in both liquid and solid substrates. Finally, we also summarize and discuss the different hypotheses about the mechanisms of inactivation.

Loss of salt-tolerance and transformation efficiency in Escherichia coli associated with sub-lethal injury by centrifugation

Sub-lethal injury of Escherichia coli has been detected following centrifugation at g-forces between 5 and 30 kg. The extent of injury was measured either as a reduction in colony forming ability when plated onto NaCl-containing plates (2% w/v), or as a reduction in transformation efficiency associated with plasmid pBR322 encoding ampicillin resistance. In both cases, the extent of sub-lethal injury was found to increase with increasing centrifugal force and probably reflects structural damage to the cell envelope.

Rupture of the cell envelope by induced intracellular gas phase expansion in gas vacuolate bacteria

Using a new approach, we estimated the physical strength of the cell envelopes of three species of gram-negative, gas vacuolate bacteria (Microcyclus aquaticus, Prosthecomicrobium pneumaticum, and Meniscus glaucopis). Populations of cells were slowly (0.5 to 2.9 h) saturated with argon, nitrogen, or helium to final pressures up to 100 atm (10, 132 kPa). The gas phases of the vesicles remained intact and, upon rapid (1 to 2 s) decompression to atmospheric pressure, expanded and ruptured the cells; loss of colony-forming units was used as an index of rupture. Because the cell envelope is the cellular component most likely to resist the expanding intracellular gas phase, its strength can be estimated from the minimum gas pressures that produce rupture. The viable counts indicated that these minimum pressures were between 25 and 50 atm; the majority of the cell envelopes were ruptured at pressures between 50 and 100 atm. Cells in which the gas vesicles were collapsed and the gas phases were effectively dissolved by rapid compression tolerated decompression from much higher gas saturations. Cells that do not normally possess gas vesicles (Escherichia coli) or that had been prevented from forming them by addition of L-lysine to the medium (M. aquaticus) were not harmed by decompression from gas saturation pressures up to 300 atm.

Isolation of deoxyribonucleic acid from Mycobacterium avium by rapid nitrogen decompression

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of high molecular weight could be isolated from cells of Mycobacterium avium if the cells were exposed to nitrogen gas at 1,500 lb/in2 for 30 min and then brought to atmospheric pressure by rapid decompression. DNA isolated from the cells had a molecular weight of 4.8 x 10(6) to 17.4 x 10(6). DNA was also released into the fluid in which the cells were suspended during nitrogen decompression. One-half of this DNA, representing 3% of the total DNA phosphorus in the cells had a uniform molecular weight of 4.2 x 10(6). This DNA was linear in conformation, and removal of associated carbohydrates did not change its sedimentation rate. The biological function or significance of the 4-megadalton DNA was not determined.

Comparison of Chemical Components of Cell Walls of Brucella abortus Strains of Low and High Virulence

Amino acid, carbohydrate, and lipid components of cell walls of Brucella abortus strain 19A (low virulence) and strain 2308 (high virulence) were compared by thin layer chromatography (TLC) and by use of an amino acid analyzer. A total of 15 amino acids were detected by both chromatographic methods. Each amino acid was present in greater amounts in strain 2308 than in strain 19A when equal amounts of hydrolysates of cell wall and endotoxin-containing preparations were analyzed. A component with the same R F value as ethanolamine was present in strain 2308 cell wall hydrolysates but was not revealed by TLC of strain 19A cell wall hydrolysates. This component was not detected with the amino acid analyzer. TLC of cell walls tagged with 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene prior to hydrolysis showed that phenylalanine was a terminal amino acid in cell walls of B. abortus strains 19A and 2308, B. suis strain 1776, and B. melitensis strain 2500. Carbohydrates detected in cell walls of strains 19A and 2308 by TLC were tentatively identified as glucose, mannose, rhamnose, and galactose. Colorimetric tests were also positive for 2-keto-3-deoxy-octulosonic acid, heptose, and dideoxyhexose. At least seven lipid components were detected by TLC of ether extracts of cell walls of strains 19A and 2308. It is suggested that one or more lipids is important in maintaining cell wall structure, because isolated cell walls rapidly became fragmented after exposure to ether.

Role of bacterial chemical components in immunofluorescence

Jones, Wallis L. (Communicable Disease Center, Atlanta, Ga.), and Vester J. Lewis. Role of bacterial chemical components in immunofluorescence. J. Bacteriol. 91:1700-1704. 1966.-The problem of heterologous staining of bacteria in pure culture and in clinical specimens by fluorescein-labeled antisera for Corynebacterium diphtheriae was examined by observing the presence of particular cellular components in the bacteria involved. Decreases in the degree of staining of C. diphtheriae, diphtheroids, and cocci by the immunofluorescent reagent were shown to accompany hydrolytic removal from the cells of specific compounds, the identities of which varied from those of the treated organisms.