M.S., Kumar, Manish SanthosKumar, Manish SanthosM.S.K., Kuroda, KeisukeKuroda, KeisukeK.A.K., Kumar Patel, Arbind KumarKumar Patel, Arbind KumarA.K.N., Patel, NidhiPatel, NidhiN.P., Bhattacharya, ProsunBhattacharya, ProsunP.M.N., Joshi, Madhvi N.Joshi, Madhvi N.M.N.C.G., Joshi, C. G.Joshi, C. G.C.G.2025-09-012025-09-01004896971879102610.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.1423292-s2.0-85091595834https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85091595834&doi=10.1016%2Fj.scitotenv.2020.142329&partnerID=40&md5=6b387cd5ebbadd10f885e76529ba810chttp://repository.iitgn.ac.in/handle/IITG2025/2936533254951For the first time, we present, i) an account of decay in the genetic material loading of SARS-CoV-2 during Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) treatment of wastewater, and ii) comparative evaluation of polyethylene glycol (PEG), and ultrafiltration as virus concentration methods from wastewater for the quantification of SARS-CoV-2 genes. The objectives were achieved through tracking of SARS-CoV-2 genetic loadings i.e. ORF1ab, N and S protein genes on 8th and 27th May 2020 along the wastewater treatment plant (106000 m3 million liters per day) equipped with UASB system in Ahmedabad, India. PEG method performed better in removing materials inhibiting RT-qPCR for SARS-CoV-2 gene detection from the samples, as evident from constant and lower C<inf>T</inf> values of control (MS2). Using the PEG method, we found a reduction >1.3 log<inf>10</inf> reduction in SARS-CoV-2 RNA abundance during UASB treatment, and the RNA was not detected at all in the final effluent. The study implies that i) conventional wastewater treatment systems is effective in SARS-CoV-2 RNA removal, and ii) UASB system significantly reduces SARS-CoV-2 genetic loadings. Finally, PEG method is recommended for better sensitivity and inhibition removal during SARS-CoV-2 RNA quantification in wastewater. � 2020 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.EnglishDiseasesEffluent treatmentEffluentsGenesPolymerase chain reactionReclamationRNASewage treatment plantsVirusesWater filtrationAhmedabad , indiaComparative evaluationsGenetic materialsSample concentrationUpflow anaerobic sludge blanketsVirus concentration methodsWastewater treatment plantsWastewater treatment systemWastewater treatmentmacrogolvirus RNAanoxic conditionscomparative studyconcentration (composition)epidemiologyinhibitionsludgeviral diseasewastewater treatmentanaerobic digestionArticlebiochemical oxygen demandconcentration (parameter)controlled studycoronavirus disease 2019effluentfiltrationIndianonhumanpriority journalretention timereverse transcription polymerase chain reactionRNA isolationsensitivity analysisSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2ultrafiltrationwaste water managementwaste water treatment plantwater qualityanaerobic growthbioreactorhumanpandemicsewagewaste waterSARS coronavirusAnaerobiosisBioreactorsCOVID-19HumansPandemicsSewageWaste Disposal, FluidWaste WaterArticlehttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/7490623https://v2.sherpa.ac.uk/id/publication/154872021142329ArticleArticle69