Identification of bacteria contaminating pulp and a paper machine in a Canadian paper mill

Over 100 bacteria from pulp and slime samples in a Canadian paper mill were identified by partial sequencing of their 16S rDNAs. Seventy-one percent of the isolates could be assigned to a bacterial genus with a high level of confidence. Another 12% exhibited at least 95% similarity within their 16S rDNA sequence with unidentified organisms that originate from warm or wet environments. Pseudomonas, Bacillus, and Pseudoxanthomonas isolates were represented at a relatively high proportion in both pulp and slime samples. This is the first time that Pseudoxanthomonas strains have been isolated from pulp and slime samples on a paper machine.