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Isolation, characterization of bacteriophages specific to Microlunatus phosphovorus and their application for rapid

S H Lee1, M Onuki, H Satoh

  • 1Institute of Environmental Studies, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan. shlee@uwf.edu

Letters in Applied Microbiology
|February 16, 2006
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Researchers isolated two bacteriophages specific to Microlunatus phosphovorus. Fluorescently labelled phages (FLPs) were prepared and successfully used for rapid detection of M. phosphovorus in activated sludge samples.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Environmental Science
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Microlunatus phosphovorus is a key bacterium in activated sludge processes.
  • Accurate detection of M. phosphovorus is crucial for optimizing wastewater treatment.
  • Bacteriophages offer a specific and potentially rapid detection method.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To isolate and characterize bacteriophages targeting Microlunatus phosphovorus.
  • To develop fluorescently labelled phages (FLPs) for detecting M. phosphovorus.
  • To assess the utility of FLPs in activated sludge environments.

Main Methods:

  • Isolation of bacteriophages from activated sludge supernatants using plaque assays.
  • Characterization of isolates using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and electron microscopy.
  • Preparation of fluorescently labelled phages (FLPs) using SYBR Green I staining.

Main Results:

  • Thirteen bacteriophage isolates were obtained, yielding two distinct types: phiMP1 and phiMP2.
  • Both phages possess double-stranded DNA and exhibit host specificity for M. phosphovorus.
  • FLPs successfully detected M. phosphovorus cells spiked into activated sludge samples.

Conclusions:

  • Two novel bacteriophages specific to M. phosphovorus were isolated and identified as Siphoviridae.
  • Fluorescently labelled phages (FLPs) provide a viable method for rapid detection of M. phosphovorus in activated sludge.
  • Bacteriophages can influence bacterial populations in activated sludge and serve as diagnostic tools.

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