Evaluation of positively charged alumina nanofibre cartridge filters for the primary concentration of noroviruses, adenoviruses and male‐specific coliphages from seawater

AIM: To evaluate the electropositive, alumina nanofibre (NanoCeram) cartridge filter as a primary concentration method for recovering adenovirus, norovirus and male-specific coliphages from natural seawater. METHODS AND RESULTS: Viruses were concentrated from 40 l of natural seawater using a NanoCeram cartridge filter and eluted from the filter either by soaking the filter in eluent or by recirculating the eluent continuously through the filter using a peristaltic pump. The elution solution consisted of 3% beef extract and 0.1 mol l(-1) of glycine. The method using a peristaltic pump was more effective in removing the viruses from the filter. High recoveries of norovirus and male-specific coliphages (>96%) but not adenovirus (<3%) were observed from seawater. High adsorption to the filter was observed for adenovirus and male-specific coliphages (>98%). The adsorption and recovery of adenovirus and male-specific coliphages were also determined for fresh finished water and source water. CONCLUSION: The NanoCeram cartridge filter was an effective primary concentration method for the concentration of norovirus and male-specific coliphages from natural seawater, but not for adenovirus, in spite of the high adsorption of adenovirus to the filter. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study demonstrates that NanoCeram cartridge filter is an effective primary method for concentrating noroviruses and male-specific coliphages from seawater, thereby simplifying collection and processing of water samples for virus recovery.