Endotoxins are among the constituents of the outer cell wall of gram-negative bacteria and some cyanobacteria. Endotoxin, which is known to cause various symptoms in humans typically via intravenous exposure including fever, diarrhea, and vomiting existed widely in raw water and treated tap water.In this study, we examined behavior of endotoxin activity in drinking water purification process in a water purification plant employing advanced water purification process in japan, evaluated endotoxin producing potential of heterotrophic bacteria isolated from actual biological activated carbon (BAC) filters at the water purification plant, as well as their predominance in the BAC filter using 16s rRNA gene sequencing analysis.We revealed removal characterization of endotoxin activity in each drinking water purification process, and proposed a method for controlling endotoxin activity. Thirteen genera were identified among 105 individual strains obtained from BAC filter and/or its backwashing water samples. The endotoxin producing capability of each eight genera were also characterized.

View full abstract

[in Japanese]

View full abstract