Methods of decontamination of ship ballast water with polyguanidine disinfectant

Purpose: The search for chemical compounds characterized by inertness and low toxicity to people and having high activity against most microorganisms in ballast water is ongoing. The disinfectant of choice in our study were representatives of polyguanidine group. With relative safety for animals and humans, these compounds have antimicrobial, antiviral, antifungal effects. A wide range of biocide action is due to the presence in the repeated links of macromolecules of polymers of guanidine groups, which are the active beginning of some natural and synthetic drugs and antibiotics. The purpose of study is development of decontamination methods of ships ballast water with disinfectant of polyguanidine group. Methods & Materials: Cultures of E. coli, S. aureus, toxigenic strains of V. сholera served as test for developing decontamination method. The suspension test with a neutralizer - sodium laurylsarcosinate - in accordance with the National Manual 4.2.2643-10 was used for antibacterial characteristic of the testing disinfectant. Results: In vitro the polyguanidine disinfectant in concentrations of 0.01 - 0.1% has a pronounced antibacterial effect against test microorganisms - S. aureus, E. coli and V. cholerae, and can be considered as a promising disinfectant for the decontamination of ship ballast water. When V. cholerae O1 and O139 are detected in the ballast water of vessel, decontamination can be carried out in three methods: by spraying of empty tanks, by adding of working concentration disinfectant in the full ballast water tanks and by combined method. According to approximate calculations for a ship decontamination by spraying empty tanks working concentration of 0.01% will require a 1.0 liter of 20% disinfectants on 6000 m2, the method of adding the working solution concentration of 1000 tons of ballast – 500 liters of 20% disinfectants, which in monetary terms will amount to from 300,000 to 1,000,000 rubles (4750-15780 $). Conclusion: In vitro experiment established that at concentrations of 0.01-0.1% the preparation has a pronounced antibacterial effect against the test microorganisms, and can be considered as a promising disinfectant for decontamination of ballast water, allowing us to offer methods of decontamination of ship ballast