Quantitative analysis of the three main genera in effective microorganisms using qPCR

Mechanism of Microbial Detoxification of Heavy Metals: A Review

Heavy metal contamination from anthropogenic activities has an adverse effect on the environment due to its cytotoxicity, carcinogenicity and mutagenicity. Environment harbours microorganisms, some of which have been found to modify physico-chemical conditions of their surrounding environment through certain processes such as detoxification, metal homeostasis, precipitation, redox transformations etc. Investigations in the past have shown that short term contact with metals of certain bacteria causes the selection of resistant bacteria within weeks, while a prolonged exposure showed selected strains able to thrive better. Hence biotic methods could assist removal of heavy metals based on biosorption or bioaccumulation by microorganisms, which are cost-effective and environmental friendly in the long run. Microbial remediation is influenced by biotic and environmental factors as also the contamination site characteristics. The aim of this paper is to highlight and review some of the mechanisms of microbial remediation through techniques such as biostimulation, bioaugmentation etc.

Multiplex 16S rRNA-derived geno-biochip for detection of 16 bacterial pathogens from contaminated foods

Foodborne diseases caused by various pathogenic bacteria occur worldwide. To prevent foodborne diseases and minimize their impacts, it is important to inspect contaminated foods and specifically detect many types of pathogenic bacteria. Several DNA oligonucleotide biochips based on 16S rRNA have been investigated to detect bacteria; however, a mode of detection that can be used to detect diverse pathogenic strains and to examine the safety of food matrixes is still needed. In the present work, a 16S rRNA gene-derived geno-biochip detection system was developed after screening DNA oligonucleotide specific capture probes, and it was validated for multiple detection of 16 pathogenic strains that frequently occur with a signature pattern. rRNAs were also used as detection targets directly obtained from cell lysates without any purification and amplification steps in the bacterial cells separated from 8 food matrixes by simple pretreatments. Thus, the developed 16S rRNA-derived geno-biochip can be successfully used for the rapid and multiple detection of the 16 pathogenic bacteria frequently isolated from contaminated foods that are important for food safety.