Characterization of Filamentous Foaming in Activated Sludge Systems using Oligonucleotide Hybridization Probes and Antibody Probes

Abstract

A quantitative method was developed for estimating Gordona mass in activated sludge foam and mixed liquor samples. The technique involves in situ hybridization with a genus-specific fluorescently labeled oligonucleotide probe calibrated on pure cultures of Gordona. The immunofluorescent technique of Hernandez et al. was modified to allow staining with fluorescently labeled antibody and hybridization probes. The results of this technique were compared to those from membrane hybridization studies using radioactively-labeled oligonucleotide probes. Quantitative membrane hybridizations, in situ hybridizations, and antibody staining resulted in significantly different levels of Gordona in activated sludge foam, activated sludge mixed liquor, return activated sludge, and anaerobic digester sludge. Simultaneous staining with labeled antibodies and oligonucleotide probes provide a definitive identification for Gordona, and represents a new approach for in situ studies of this organism's role in foaming.

Department(s)

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering

Keywords and Phrases

Antibodies; Bacteria; Fluorescence; Foam control; Antibody probes; Filamentous bacteria; Activated sludge process; antibody; activated sludge; bacterium; foaming; activated sludge; anaerobic digestion; bacterium culture; hybridization; immunofluorescence; in situ hybridization; isotope labeling; nocardia; nonhuman; oligonucleotide probe; quantitative assay

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

0273-1223

Document Type

Article - Conference proceedings

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 1998 Elsevier Sci Ltd, Exeter, United Kingdom, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Jul 1998

Link to Full Text

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