title: Application of quantitative real-time PCR for quantification of Rhodococcus sp. EH831 in a polyurethane biofilter.
abstract: Rhodococcus sp. EH831 is a microbial species that can degrade volatile organic compounds. We optimized a method for monitoring quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) of EH831 that was incorporated into a polyurethane (PU) biofilter. When the genomic DNA of EH831 was directly extracted from a PU sample with immobilized EH831, the recovery efficiency was very low due to DNA absorption into the PU. DNA amplification during PCR was also inhibited by PU impurities. Therefore, a pre-treatment step was necessary. We successfully recovered cells from the PU by squeezing the matrix, adding sterilized water, and vortexing. The recovery efficiency ranged from 105 to 144%, and there was no statistically significant difference. We designed a novel TaqMan probe for EH831 and demonstrated its high specificity for EH831. The detection range for EH831 was 10(5)-10(11) CFU ml(-1). The method described in this study can be used to investigate the relationship between quantitative analysis of Rhodococcus sp. EH831 and PU biofilter performance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: E H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: H W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Ryu
mesh_terms: D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000737:chemistry; D005374:Filtration / Q000295:instrumentation; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D011140:Polyurethanes; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000737:chemistry; D012240:Rhodococcus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D011140:Polyurethanes; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S