Abstract
The protocol describes the analysis and data interpretation of membrane phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) profiles as biomarkers for the characterisation of microbial communities in environmental samples, with special emphasis on soils and sediments contaminated with organic hydrocarbons. This simple method in microbial ecology studies provides an estimate of the viable microbial biomass, first indications of the structure of the microbial community, as well as the physiological status of the microbiota. In environmental biotechnological applications, PLFA analysis is a useful tool for monitoring bioremediation and allows direct validation of existing biological activities as well as hints for shifts in the microbiota caused by successful biological treatment strategies.
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Hachicho, N., Heipieper, H.J. (2014). Isolation and Analysis of Membrane Phospholipids as Biomarkers. In: McGenity, T., Timmis, K., Nogales , B. (eds) Hydrocarbon and Lipid Microbiology Protocols . Springer Protocols Handbooks. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/8623_2014_17
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/8623_2014_17
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