Open AccessIdentification of mixed bacterial DNA contamination in broad‐range PCR amplification of 16S rDNA V1 and V3 variable regions by pyrosequencing of cloned amplicons
Author(s) -
Grahn Niclas,
Olofsson Margaretha,
EllneboSvedlund Katarina,
Monstein HansJürg,
Jonasson Jon
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1016/s0378-1097(02)01190-4
Subject(s) - amplicon , biology , pyrosequencing , 16s ribosomal rna , stenotrophomonas , nucleic acid , microbiology and biotechnology , polymerase chain reaction , computational biology , pseudomonas , genetics , bacteria , gene
Using a sensitive and rapid method combining broad‐range PCR amplification of bacterial 16S rDNA fragments and pyrosequencing for detection, identification and typing, we have found contaminating bacterial DNA in our reagents used for PCR. Identified bacteria are the water‐borne bacterial genera Pseudomonas , Stenotrophomonas , Xanthomonas , Ralstonia and Bacillus . Our results are in concordance with recent reports of contaminated industrial water systems. In light of this conclusion, we believe that there is a need for increased awareness of possible contamination in uncertified widely used molecular biology reagents, including ultra‐pure water. Since sequence‐based 16S rDNA techniques are used in a variety of settings for bacterial typing and the characterization of microbial communities, we feel that future certification of molecular biology reagents, as free of nucleic acids, would be advantageous.