biostudies-literatureUnknown64(8)Wagner-Dobler IA 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 approachApplied and environmental microbiology3014-22https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC106808biostudies-literatureMicrocosm enrichment of biphenyl-degrading microbial communities from soils and sediments.PMC106808Bennasar AMoore ERStrompl CWagner-Dobler IBrummer IGrammel IVancanneyt MEichner CfalseMicrocosm enrichment of biphenyl-degrading microbial communities from soils and sediments.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 approach1998-01-01T00:00:00Z1998 Aug2025-04-04T09:52:51.921Z2019-03-27T00:16:54ZS-EPMC106808968746610.1128/AEM.64.8.3014-3022.1998