Antarctic and agricultural soil samples treated with dispersant solutions 16S rRNA gene sequencing
We assessed the impact of four different dispersant solutions (Tween-80, sodium chloride, sodium citrate, and sodium pyrophosphate) on the extraction of microbial communities from Antarctic and agricultural soils. We employed metataxonomics to evaluate differences in microbial diversity and abundance associated with each dispersant treatment. Our goal was to identify which solution provides a more representative extraction of soil microbiomes. By elucidating the effects of dispersant solutions on microbial extraction, our findings aim to improve soil microbiome research methodologies. This has significant implications for soil health assessments, microbial ecology studies, and applications such as microbiome transplantation for soil restoration. Optimizing extraction protocols will enhance the accuracy of soil microbial analyses, contributing to better-informed strategies for managing and rehabilitating soils in the face of global environmental challenges.