posted on 2017-01-30, 12:24authored byHarald Handschuh, Michael P. Ryan, Jean O'Dwyer, Catherine C. Adley
The aim of this study was to determine and identify bacteria inhabiting the supply chain of an
airline's drinking water using phenotypic and 16S rDNA sequence-based analysis. Water
samples (n = 184) were sourced from long-haul and short-haul aircraft, the airline water
source and a water service vehicle. In total, 308 isolates were characterised and their identity
determined, which produced 82 identified bacterial species belonging to eight classes:
γ-Proteobacteria; β-Proteobacteria; α-Proteobacteria; Bacilli; Actinobacteria; Flavobacteria;
Sphingobacteria and Cytophaga. Statistical differences in bacterial diversity were found to
exist across sampling locations (X2 = 39.220, p = 0.009) and furthermore, differences were
observed (X2 = 15.475, p = 0.030) across aircraft type (long- or short-haul). This study demonstrates
the diverse nature of microorganisms within the aircraft drinking water supply
chain. To the best of our knowledge, this is the most extensive study undertaken to date of
microbial diversity in aircraft drinking water.