13C-Labelling of lipids to investigate microbial communities in the environment.
The introduction of (13)C-labelled substrates to soils, sediments or cultures followed by (13)C analysis of phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) provides quantitative and chemotaxonomic information for the groups of microorganisms utilizing a given substrate. Gas chromatography-combustion-isotope ratio mass spectrometry has provided the high precision necessary to measure small isotopic changes (differences in the relative abundances of (13)C to (12)C expressed as delta(13)C values) for nanogram amounts of individual compounds, such as microbial PLFAs. This methodology constitutes a powerful new culture-independent method for investigating microbial communities in the environment. The information obtained is highly complementary to that obtained from gene-probe-based methods, and considerable possibilities exist to extend this methodology to include other biochemical components of microorganisms.
Evershed
Richard P
RP
Organic Geochemistry Unit, Bristol Biogeochemistry Research Centre, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK. r.p.evershed@bristol.ac.uk
Crossman
Zoe M
ZM
Bull
Ian D
ID
Mottram
Hazel
H
Dungait
Jennifer A J
JA
Maxfield
Peter J
PJ
Brennand
Emma L
EL
D001419:Bacteria / Q000378:metabolism; D015415:Biomarkers; D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D004783:Environmental Microbiology; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism
D015415:Biomarkers; D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D005227:Fatty Acids; D010743:Phospholipids