Inactivation and subsequent reactivation of Aspergillus species by the combination of UV and monochloramine: Comparisons with UV/chlorine

Ultraviolet (UV)/monochloramine (NH₂Cl) as an advanced oxidation process was firstly applied for Aspergillus spores inactivation. This study aims to: i) clarify the inactivation and photoreactivation characteristics of UV/NH₂Cl process, ii) compared with UV/Cl₂ in inactivation efficiency, photoreactivation and energy consumption. The results illustrated that UV/NH₂Cl showed better inactivation efficiency than that of UV alone and UV/Cl₂, and could effectively control the photoreactivation. For instance, the inactivation rates for Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus fumigatus in the processes of UV/NH₂Cl (2.0 mg/L) was 0.034, 0.030 and 0.061 cm²/mJ, respectively, which were higher than that of UV alone (0.027, 0.026 and 0.024 cm²/mJ) and UV/Cl₂ (0.023, 0.026 and 0.031 cm²/mJ). However, there was no synergistic effect for Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus fumigatus. As for Aspergillus niger, the best synergistic effect can reach 1.86-log₁₀. This may be due to their different resistance to disinfectants, which were related to the size, an outer layer of rodlets (hydrophobins) and pigments. After UV/NH₂Cl inactivation, the degree of cell membrane damage and intracellular reactive oxygen species were higher than that of UV alone. UV/NH₂Cl had the advantages of high inactivation efficiency and inhibition of photoreactivation, which provides a new entry point for the disinfection of waterborne fungi.     

紫外线消毒中的光复活作用

近年来,紫外线消毒技术在水处理中得到了越来越广泛的应用,它主要是利用短波紫外对微生物的伤害作用,通过在DNA中形成环丁烷嘧啶二聚体,阻碍基因的正常复制,从而导致细菌失活.但是细菌体内的光裂解酶在远紫外光和可见光作用下能够使失活的细菌重新获得活性,这就是光复活作用.低压消毒设备处理后大肠杆菌表现出了一定的光复活能力,但中压消毒设备能够有效的抑制其光复活作用;而噬肺军团菌在低压和中压设备处理后都表现出了很强的光复活能力.在应用紫外线消毒技术时光复活作用的影响不容忽视.