Detection of Bacterial Endospores in Soil by Terbium Fluorescence
Spore formation is a survival mechanism of microorganisms when facing unfavorable environmental conditions resulting in “dormant” states. We investigated the occurrence of bacterial endospores in soils from various locations including grasslands (pasture, meadow), allotment gardens, and forests, as...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2011-01-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Microbiology |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2011/435281 |
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| author | Andrea Brandes Ammann Linda Kölle Helmut Brandl |
| author_facet | Andrea Brandes Ammann Linda Kölle Helmut Brandl |
| author_sort | Andrea Brandes Ammann |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Spore formation is a survival mechanism of microorganisms when facing unfavorable environmental conditions resulting in “dormant” states. We investigated the occurrence of bacterial endospores in soils from various locations including grasslands (pasture, meadow), allotment gardens, and forests, as well as fluvial sediments. Bacterial spores are characterized by their high content of dipicolinic acid (DPA). In the presence of terbium, DPA forms a complex showing a distinctive photoluminescence spectrum. DPA was released from soil by microwaving or autoclaving. The addition of aluminium chloride reduced signal quenching by interfering compounds such as phosphate. The highest spore content (up to 109 spores per gram of dry soil) was found in grassland soils. Spore content is related to soil type, to soil depth, and to soil carbon-to-nitrogen ratio. Our study might provide a basis for the detection of “hot spots” of bacterial spores in soil. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-9242381ecc994cc0837650a53df000ed |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1687-918X 1687-9198 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2011-01-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Microbiology |
| spelling | doaj-art-9242381ecc994cc0837650a53df000ed2025-02-03T00:58:54ZengWileyInternational Journal of Microbiology1687-918X1687-91982011-01-01201110.1155/2011/435281435281Detection of Bacterial Endospores in Soil by Terbium FluorescenceAndrea Brandes Ammann0Linda Kölle1Helmut Brandl2Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies (IEU), University of Zurich, Winterthurerstraße 190, CH-8057 Zurich, SwitzerlandInstitute of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies (IEU), University of Zurich, Winterthurerstraße 190, CH-8057 Zurich, SwitzerlandInstitute of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies (IEU), University of Zurich, Winterthurerstraße 190, CH-8057 Zurich, SwitzerlandSpore formation is a survival mechanism of microorganisms when facing unfavorable environmental conditions resulting in “dormant” states. We investigated the occurrence of bacterial endospores in soils from various locations including grasslands (pasture, meadow), allotment gardens, and forests, as well as fluvial sediments. Bacterial spores are characterized by their high content of dipicolinic acid (DPA). In the presence of terbium, DPA forms a complex showing a distinctive photoluminescence spectrum. DPA was released from soil by microwaving or autoclaving. The addition of aluminium chloride reduced signal quenching by interfering compounds such as phosphate. The highest spore content (up to 109 spores per gram of dry soil) was found in grassland soils. Spore content is related to soil type, to soil depth, and to soil carbon-to-nitrogen ratio. Our study might provide a basis for the detection of “hot spots” of bacterial spores in soil.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2011/435281 |
| spellingShingle | Andrea Brandes Ammann Linda Kölle Helmut Brandl Detection of Bacterial Endospores in Soil by Terbium Fluorescence International Journal of Microbiology |
| title | Detection of Bacterial Endospores in Soil by Terbium Fluorescence |
| title_full | Detection of Bacterial Endospores in Soil by Terbium Fluorescence |
| title_fullStr | Detection of Bacterial Endospores in Soil by Terbium Fluorescence |
| title_full_unstemmed | Detection of Bacterial Endospores in Soil by Terbium Fluorescence |
| title_short | Detection of Bacterial Endospores in Soil by Terbium Fluorescence |
| title_sort | detection of bacterial endospores in soil by terbium fluorescence |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2011/435281 |
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