Study of the radiation effect of 99Mo/99mTc generator on Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus pumilus species

• Published in: Applied radiation and isotopes Vol. 107; pp. 33 - 39
• Main Authors: Fukumori, Neuza T.O., Endo, Erica M.M., Felgueiras, Carlos F., Matsuda, Margareth M.N., Osso Junior, João A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01-01-2016
• Subjects: 99Mo/99mTc generator; Aluminum Oxide; Bacillus - radiation effects; Bacillus subtilis - radiation effects; Bacterial Load - methods; Humans; Ionizing radiation effect; Microbial recovery; Microorganisms; Molybdenum - administration & dosage; Radiation Dosage; Radioisotopes - administration & dosage; Radiopharmaceuticals - administration & dosage; Spectrophotometry; Spores, Bacterial - radiation effects; Sterilization; Technetium - administration & dosage; 99Mo/99mTc generator; Microorganisms; Microbial recovery; Ionizing radiation effect; Sterilization; Mo/(99m)Tc generator
• ISSN: 0969-8043; 1872-9800
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2015.09.007

In this work, molybdenum-99 loaded columns were challenged with Bacillus subtilis vegetative cells and Bacillus pumilus spores inside and outside the alumina column, and microbial recovery and radiation effect were assessed. Alumina was a barrier for the passage of microorganisms regardless the species, whilst spores were more retained than vegetative cells with a lower microbial recovery, without significant differences between 9.25 and 74GBq generators. Bacillus pumilus biological indicator showed lower recoveries, suggesting a radiation inactivating effect on microorganisms.
•Microorganisms in radionuclide generator may impair the quality of the product.•Killing of Bacillus pumilus was not complete even after 20 days of exposition.•Alumina column was a physical barrier for the microbial recovery.•An alternative biological indicator based on B. pumilus spores is proposed.