MECHANISM OF MICROBIOLOGICAL CONTAMINATION OF JET FUEL AND DEVELOPMENT OF TECHNIQUES FOR DETECTION OF MICROBIOLOGICAL CONTAMINATION
Abstract
This study is concerned with the detection of microorganisms in fuel water-environments and with the mechanisms by which these microorganisms cause problems in fuel systems of aircraft. The laboratory detection methods studied were the esterase approach, tetrazolium reduction, O2 consumption and CO2 evolution. The techniques which appear to have the greatest chance of success are the esterase approach and tetrazolium reduction. For field detection, the work is continuing on the electrophoresis-pulse polarization technique. These studies have been extremely successful in finding techniques which should be useful for rapidly detecting small numbers of viable microorganisms in fuel water bottoms. The esterase technique now can detect viable cells in about 5 minutes and it is expected that the tetrazolium technique will determine the number of organisms which can utilize fuel. All that remains to be done now is to establish the criteria, such as the length of time required for color to develop, which will indicate when the microbial contamination has reached a harmful level.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0606771
Entities
People
- Gordon C. Blanchard
Organizations
- Melpar