Molecular monitoring of microbial populations during bioremediation of contaminated soils

摘要

Molecular techniques, such as DNA fingerprinting, have greatly expanded the ability to profile the complexities of natural microbial communities without dependency upon cultured-based techniques. Protocols were developed and used for the direct extraction of total soil community DNA from the original contaminated soils and from four bioreactor slurries. PCR protocols and amplification conditions were developed using prokaryotic universal primers that amplify whole community 16S ribosomal genes. PCR products were cleaved with restriction endonucleases using three different enzymes, Ava II, Hha I and Rsa I. The resulting whole community DNA fingerprints showed unique banding patterns over time as well as between control and treatments. This study has shown that molecular techniques can provide enhanced resolution and understanding of the dynamics of the microbial community and were used to monitor biotic changes during bioremediation of contaminated soils.