Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Identification, enrichment, and isolation ofThiothrix spp. from environmental samples

  • Published:
Current Microbiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We have developed a method to enrich, isolate, and identifyThiothrix spp. in environmental samples. This procedure employs low concentrations of organic compounds, the addition of reduced sulfur compounds (sulfide or thiosulfate), and preparation with spring water that containsThiothrix spp. The enrichment enhanced identification ofThiothrix spp. by promoting deposition of intracellular sulfur granules and inhibiting overgrowth by other bacteria. The relatively high calcium content of the spring water contributed to the culture procedure. With this technique,Thiothrix spp. were observed in two activated sludge systems, a municipal water storage tank, three springs, and four underground freshwater caves in the phreatic zone of the Floridan aquifer. Two differentThiothrix cultures have been isolated from a freshwater cave and a water storage tank by this procedure. It appears that media prepared with spring water known to supportThiothrix spp. can be designed to provide highly selective methods for isolation ofThiothrix spp. from a wide range of environments.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Literature Cited

  1. Ford HW, Tucker DPH (1975) Blockage of drip irrigation filters and emitters by iron-sulfur-bacterial products. Hort Sci 10:62–64

    Google Scholar 

  2. Jenkins D, Richard MG, Daigger GT (1984) In: Manual on the Causes and Control of Activated Sludge Bulking and Foaming. Water Research Commission, Pretoria.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Jones JG, Jay FMS, Hilton J (1982) A note on the growth ofThiothrix in road drainage ditches. J Appl Bacteriol 53:427–430

    Google Scholar 

  4. Larkin JM (1980) Isolation ofThiothrix in pure culture and observation of a filamentous epiphyte onThiothrix. Curr Microbiol 4:155–158

    Google Scholar 

  5. Larkin JM, Strohl WR (1983)Beggiatoa, Thiothrix, andThioploca. Annu Rev Microbiol 37:341–367

    Google Scholar 

  6. McGlannan MF, Makemson JC (1990) HCO3 fixation by naturally occurring tufts and pure cultures ofThiothrix nivea. Appl Environ Microbiol 56:730–738

    Google Scholar 

  7. Shuttlesworth KL, Unz RF (1991) Influence of metals and metal speciation on the growth of filamentous bacteria. Water Res 25:1177–1186

    Google Scholar 

  8. Williams TM, Unz RF (1985) Isolation and characterization of filamentous bacteria present in bulking activated sludge. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 22:273–282

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida

    Robin L. Brigmon & Gabriel Bitton

  2. Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida

    Stephen G. Zam

  3. Interdisciplinary Center for Biotechnology Research, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida

    Bonnie O'Brien

  4. Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Aiken, South Carolina, USA

    Harris W. Martin

Authors
  1. Robin L. Brigmon
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Gabriel Bitton
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Stephen G. Zam
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Harris W. Martin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Bonnie O'Brien
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Florida Agricultural Experimentation Station, Journal Series Number R-03446.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Brigmon, R.L., Bitton, G., Zam, S.G. et al. Identification, enrichment, and isolation ofThiothrix spp. from environmental samples. Current Microbiology 28, 243–246 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01575968

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01575968

Keywords

Search

Navigation