Role of relic DNA and primer choice for targeted sequencing surveys of anaerobic sewage sludge
To improve DNA-based monitoring for operators of anaerobic digesters, this study explored how the presence of DNA from dead microbial biomass carried over with feed sludge may mislead process-relevant biomarkers, and whether primer choice impacts such assessments. Two universal and two domain-specific primers were used to pepare 240 amplicon libraries from environmental DNA of three digested sludges sourced from three full-scale anaerobic digesters in Victoria, Australia.