Microcosm enrichment of biphenyl-degrading microbial communities from soils and sediments.

ABSTRACT: A microcosm enrichment approach was employed to isolate bacteria which are representative of long-term biphenyl-adapted microbial communities. Growth of microorganisms was stimulated by incubating soil and sediment samples from polluted and nonpolluted sites with biphenyl crystals. After 6 months, stable population densities between 8 x 10(9) and 2 x 10(11) CFU/ml were established in the microcosms, and a large percentage of the organisms were able to grow on biphenyl-containing minimal medium plates. A total of 177 biphenyl-degrading strains were subsequently isolated and characterized by their ability to grow on biphenyl in liquid culture and to accumulate a yellow meta cleavage product when they were sprayed with dihydroxybiphenyl. Isolates were identified by using a polyphasic approach

SUBMITTER: Wagner-Dobler I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC106808 | biostudies-literature | 1998 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature