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Optimized Aluminum Hydroxide Adsorption–Precipitation for Improved Viral Detection in Wastewater

Author

Listed:
  • Karla Farmer-Diaz

    (Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, St. George’s University, St George P.O Box 7, Grenada)

  • Makeda Matthew-Bernard

    (Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, St. George’s University, St George P.O Box 7, Grenada)

  • Sonia Cheetham

    (Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, St. George’s University, St George P.O Box 7, Grenada)

  • Kerry Mitchell

    (Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, St. George’s University, St George P.O Box 7, Grenada)

  • Calum N. L. Macpherson

    (School of Graduate Studies, St. George’s University, St George P.O Box 7, Grenada)

  • Maria E. Ramos-Nino

    (Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, St. George’s University, St George P.O Box 7, Grenada)

Abstract

Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is a valuable tool for monitoring pathogen spread in communities; however, current protocols mainly target non-enveloped viruses. This study addresses the need for standardized methods to detect both enveloped and non-enveloped viruses by testing four aluminum hydroxide adsorption–precipitation techniques. Wastewater samples were spiked with an enveloped virus surrogate (Φ6 bacteriophage) and a non-enveloped virus surrogate (MS2 coliphage), and viral recovery was assessed using reverse-transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). The highest recovery for the enveloped virus was achieved with AlCl 3 at pH 3.5, a 15 min flocculation time, and a 3% elution solution concentration. For the non-enveloped virus, optimal recovery was found with AlCl 3 at pH 6.0, no flocculation time, and a 10% elution solution. The best method for recovering both virus types used AlCl 3 at pH 6.0, 15 min flocculation, and a 3% elution solution concentration. This study shows that while optimal conditions vary between virus types, a standardized AlCl 3 flocculation protocol can efficiently recover both, providing a cost-effective approach for outbreak monitoring in Grenada.

Suggested Citation

  • Karla Farmer-Diaz & Makeda Matthew-Bernard & Sonia Cheetham & Kerry Mitchell & Calum N. L. Macpherson & Maria E. Ramos-Nino, 2025. "Optimized Aluminum Hydroxide Adsorption–Precipitation for Improved Viral Detection in Wastewater," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(2), pages 1-13, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:22:y:2025:i:2:p:148-:d:1573909
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