Report on analytical microbial determination in Project samples

In this deliverable, the definition and evaluation of bio-molecular methods for the quantification of biological contaminations in treatment systems for wastewater reuse is summarized. In details, complete protocols for the quantitative estimation by Q-PCR of ARGs and pathogens, in water sample with different contamination level, were defined and evaluated including the following steps: - Evaluation of sample concentration and DNA recovery protocols for water with different level of contamination - Evaluation and monitoring of Q-PCR assays performances (amplification efficiencies sensitivity and precision) - Analysis of the factors affecting Q-PCR sensitivity raw and treated wastewaters (assays sensitivity, endogenous DNA, QPCR inhibitory compounds) - Definition of Salmonella and ARGs lower quantifiable level by QPCR in water samples with different contamination level - Assessment of ARGs and Salmonella presence and diffusion in raw and treated wastewater from W4Cs treatment systems for water reuse. The defined and optimized methods contributed to assess the performance of the different applied wastewater treatment solutions of the project in terms of required hygienic aspects.