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This study confirms that microwave treatment of healthcare waste can significantly reduce the number of bacteria in a given sample. The bacterial reduction with duration of the application of radiation and the power of radiation has been quantified. In contrast to the previous experiments that showed mid 30 °C as favourable temperature range for the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, this study depicts that the bacteria are destroyed even at such temperatures, in the application of microwaves. Thus, it confirms that power of microwaves is an equally dominating factor as the duration of application and the temperature attained by the material. The empirical findings combined with SEM images indicate that there is a marked difference in the resistance against microwave radiation between G+ (S. aureus) and G− (E. coli) bacteria, which may be due to the convoluted cell wall of G+ (S. aureus) bacteria, which is much stronger and thicker than that of G− for (E. coli) bacteria. Thus, S. aureus is considered to be more resistant and less sensitive to microwave radiation than E. coli. The outcomes support the adoption of microwave technologies for the treatment and disinfection of healthcare waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Semiconductor photocatalysis has been applied to the remediation of an extensive range of chemical pollutants in water over the past 30 years. The application of this versatile technology for removal of micro-organisms and cyanotoxins has recently become an area that has also been the subject of extensive research particularly over the past decade. This paper considers recent research in the application of semiconductor photocatalysis for the treatment of water contaminated with pathogenic micro-organisms and cyanotoxins. The basic processes involved in photocatalysis are described and examples of recent research into the use of photocatalysis for the removal of a range of microorganisms are detailed. The paper concludes with a review of the key research on the application of this process for the removal of chemical metabolites generated from cyanobacteria. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The use of semiconductor photocatalysis for treatment of water and air has been the topic of intense research activity over the past 20 years. This powerful process has also been extended to the disinfection of environments contaminated with pathogenic micro-organisms. This review summarizes recent developments concerned with the photocatalytic treatment of water contaminated with pathogenic micro-organisms presenting a potential hazard to animals and human beings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]