University of South Florida

Audrey Lynn Buttice

Norma Arcelia Alcantar

Daniel Restrepo

Nicholas S Laconi

Mark Lawrence Kayton

Michael Pierce Ebaugh

Babu Joseph

Kevin A Young

In recent years, a great deal of attention has been drawn to the issue of water contamination, particularly in developing countries, where an inexpensive, effective method of reducing waterborne pathogens and contaminants is needed. Experiments performed with mucilage extracted from the-cactus show that this mucilage is an effective tool for clearing contaminants from water supplies, including the removal ofandbacteria, and the reduction of arsenic concentrations with very low mucilage concentrations (5 mg/L and 10 mg/L). Results forandshow settling to be complete in approximately five to ten minutes with removal rates of up to 97%, when CaClis co-applied. Arsenic is removed at between 35% to 85% by increasing the contact time between the mucilage and the arsenic solutions depending on the pH and mucilage concentration.

Composition and method to reduce sediment and bacterial contamination from water

Provided herein is a method of reducing a microbial infection of a heparinized surface wherein heparin precipitation is reduced as compared to a control. In some embodiments a composition comprising ethanol and isopropanol is applied to the surface. In other embodiments, two or more ethanol compositions are applied and removed sequentially from the surface prior to contacting the surface with a biological fluid, tissue or vessel, wherein the composition in each successive administration comprises an increased amount of ethanol. Also provided is a method of reducing a microbial infection of a surface comprising applying a mucilage extract from anspecies to the surface.

Compositions and methods for reducing or preventing medical device-related infections

Growing community of inventors

Palmetto, FL, United States of America

Audrey Lynn Buttice