Deactivation of ascaris suum eggs using electroporation and sequential inactivation with chemical disinfection

Abstract

Electroporation has been evaluated as a potential backend wastewater treatment for deactivation of Ascaris suum eggs in buffer solution. Initial results indicate that eggshell permeability is affected by the pulse train electric field strength and duration. Coupling electroporation with chemical exposure, using low concentrations of commercially available disinfectants, allows oxidizing agents to pass through the complex strata of the A. suum eggshell, specifically reaching the innermost embryonic environment, which leads to successful deactivation compared to either method used separately. The aim of this work is to identify and develop an alternative technique that efficiently inactivates helminth eggs present in wastewater.