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Methods for Facilitating Microbial Growth on Pulp Mill Waste Streams and Characterization of the Biodegradation Potential of Cultured Microbes
Published on: December 12, 2013
Bacterial community diversity in paper mills processing recycled paper
Ulf Granhall1, Allana Welsh, Ingela Noredal Throbäck
1Department of Microbiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7025, 75007 Uppsala, Sweden.
Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology
|June 15, 2010
Summary
Biofouling in paper mills is common. This study used DNA analysis to identify bacteria in process water and biofilms, finding distinct microbial communities at different mill locations, especially on paper machines.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Environmental Science
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Biofouling in paper mills processing recycled paper causes significant operational and product quality issues.
- Understanding the bacterial communities involved is crucial for mitigating these problems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the total bacterial community composition and identify specific taxa in process water and biofilms within a recycled paper mill.
- To compare microbial profiles between different locations (stock preparation, paper machine) and sample types (water, biofilm).
- To investigate potential general trends in bacterial communities across different mills and over time.
Main Methods:
- DNA-based approaches, including terminal-restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis of bacterial community profiles.
- 16S rRNA gene clone library generation and RFLP analysis for detailed taxonomic identification.
- Sequencing of representative clones to determine bacterial phyla and species.
Main Results:
- Bacterial community profiles in process water showed similarities between mills, but overall composition was mill-specific.
- Distinct microbial communities were observed based on location and sample type, with paper machine biofilms being the most divergent.
- Bacteroidetes (45%) and Actinobacteria (23%) were the dominant phyla. Organisms implicated in biofouling were present even without active problems, suggesting they are part of the natural community.
- Many sequences showed low homology to known bacteria, indicating potential for discovering novel organisms.
Conclusions:
- Paper mill microbial communities are unique to each mill but share some common dominant bacterial groups.
- Biofilm communities, particularly on paper machines, are distinct from planktonic communities in process water.
- The presence of known biofouling bacteria suggests a baseline level of risk, and the discovery of novel bacteria highlights the potential for bioprospecting in paper mills.
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