Parameters affecting spore recovery from wipes used in biological surface sampling
Sandra M Da Silva1, James J Filliben, Jayne B Morrow
1Biochemical Science Division, Chemical Science Technology Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Dr., Mail Stop 8312, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8312, USA. sdasilva@nist.gov
Applied and Environmental Microbiology
|February 8, 2011
Summary
Optimizing Bacillus anthracis spore extraction from wipe materials is crucial for biothreat detection. Tween 80 in extraction solutions significantly enhances spore recovery, outperforming other methods and materials.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Microbiology
- Surface Chemistry
Background:
- Accurate detection of biothreat agents like Bacillus anthracis is critical for public health and security.
- Biological surface sampling methods exhibit variability, necessitating optimization for reliable contaminant collection.
- Understanding the factors influencing spore extraction efficiency from sampling materials is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine parameters affecting Bacillus anthracis Sterne spore extraction from common wipe materials.
- To apply interfacial energy concepts and surface thermodynamics to predict and understand sampling performance.
- To identify optimal extraction solutions and physical dissociation methods for maximizing spore recovery.
Main Methods:
- Wipe materials (polyester, cotton, polyester-rayon) were inoculated with B. anthracis spores.
- Spores were extracted using various solutions (water, water with Tween 80, PBS, PBS with Tween 80) via sonication or vortexing.
- Extraction efficiency was analyzed statistically, considering wipe material, extraction solution, and dissociation method.
Main Results:
- Extraction solutions containing the surfactant Tween 80 significantly improved spore recovery (P < 0.05).
- Tween 80's effectiveness was attributed to reduced spore adhesion via attractive interfacial energy.
- Extraction solution was the most critical factor, followed by wipe material; vortexing yielded higher recovery than sonication in certain solutions.
Conclusions:
- The use of Tween 80 in extraction solutions is highly recommended for efficient Bacillus anthracis spore recovery from wipe samples.
- Extraction solution composition is a primary determinant of sampling efficiency, more so than wipe material.
- Surface thermodynamics provides a valuable framework for understanding and optimizing biological surface sampling techniques.
