Open AccessTransport and survival of alginate‐encapsulated and free lux‐lac marked Pseudomonas aeruginosa UG2Lr cells in soil
Author(s) -
Hall Bronagh M.,
McLoughlin Aidan J.,
Leung Kam Tin,
Trevors Jack T.,
Lee Hung
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
fems microbiology ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.377
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 1574-6941
pISSN - 0168-6496
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6941.1998.tb01561.x
Subject(s) - microcosm , biology , pseudomonas aeruginosa , microbiology and biotechnology , pseudomonadales , inoculation , pseudomonas , pseudomonadaceae , biological dispersal , bacteria , horticulture , ecology , genetics , population , demography , sociology
Transport and survival of alginate‐encapsulated and unencapsulated Pseudomonas aeruginosa UG2Lr through soil microcosms was examined. Bacterial cells encapsulated in alginate beads or mixed with soil were introduced into soil microcosms. Microbial cell survival and cell transport were monitored by destructive sampling and selective plating of the microcosms over a 9‐week period. Survival rates were greatest when using encapsulated P. aeruginosa UG2Lr cells. Water flow increased microbial cell dispersal from the site of inoculation. After 3 weeks, encapsulated and free cells showed similar distribution patterns. However, after 9 weeks microbial cell distribution was more extensive throughout the soil in the encapsulated treatments under all conditions. Therefore, alginate encapsulation is a suitable method to enhance survival and distribution of microbial inocula in the soil environment.