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Improved Enrichment and Isolation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH)-Degrading Microorganisms in Soil Using Anthracene as a Model PAH

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Abstract

Lack of attention to soil and microbial characteristics that influence PAHs degradation has been a leading cause of failures in isolation of efficient PAH degraders and bioaugumentation processes with microbial consortia. This study compared the classic method of isolation of PAHs-degraders with a modified method employing a pre-enrichment respirometric analysis. The modified enrichment of PAH degrading microorganisms using in vitro microcosm resulted to reduced enrichment period and more efficient PAH-degrading microbial consortia. Results indicate that natural soils with strong heterotrophic microbial activity determined through pre-enrichment analysis, are better suited for the isolation of efficient PAH degrading microorganisms with significant reduction of the enrichment period.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center of Rural Sciences, Federal University of Pampa, São Gabriel, RS, Brazil

    Rodrigo J. S. Jacques

  2. Department of Biology, Auburn University Montgomery, Montgomery, AL, 36124, USA

    Benedict C. Okeke

  3. Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil

    Fátima M. Bento

  4. Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil

    Maria C. R. Peralba

  5. Department of Environmental Science, University of California – Riverside, Geology Building 2442, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA

    Flávio A. O. Camargo

Authors
  1. Rodrigo J. S. Jacques
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  2. Benedict C. Okeke
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  3. Fátima M. Bento
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  4. Maria C. R. Peralba
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  5. Flávio A. O. Camargo
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Correspondence to Flávio A. O. Camargo.

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Jacques, R.J.S., Okeke, B.C., Bento, F.M. et al. Improved Enrichment and Isolation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH)-Degrading Microorganisms in Soil Using Anthracene as a Model PAH. Curr Microbiol 58, 628–634 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00284-009-9381-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00284-009-9381-3

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