ARS | Publication request: The Survival of Bacterial and Viral Pathogens in Manure and Biosolids in the Southeastern United States

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: July 16, 2010
Publication Date: July 16, 2010
Citation: Brooks, J.P., McLaughlin, M.R. 2010. The survival of bacterial and viral pathogens in manure and biosolids in the Southeastern United States (abstract). Presentation Bioactive Food Components for Optimal Health, Food Safety, and Improving Food Quality, and Value, July 16-17, 2010, Chicago, IL. CD-ROM.

Technical Abstract: This study aims to determine the survival of bacterial pathogens after the application of fecal derived fertilizer sources such as municipal biosolids or manure. The purpose is to elucidate the effect of fecal source on the prolonged viability of pathogens in soil. Soils will be applied and incorporated or not incorporated with pathogen inoculated manure or biosolids at agronomic rates as dictated by soil test results for food crops. Climate and day and night cycles will be strictly maintained. Microbial measurement will comprise cultural methods and molecular methods. Direct molecular detection will be used to determine the discrepancy between cultural and molecular methodologies and will be exclusively used to enumerate norovirus. Inactivation rates will be calculated accordingly for each respective organism and treatment combination. Data collected from this study will be used by to conduct environmental risk analyses in determining future pathogen-based environmental regulations and recommendations.