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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 2, 2026

Electrochemically and Bioelectrochemically Induced Ammonium Recovery

Electrochemically and Bioelectrochemically Induced Ammonium Recovery

Published on: January 22, 2015

Ammonia-oxidizing bacteria in wastewater.

Micol Bellucci¹, Thomas P Curtis

¹School of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.

Methods in Enzymology

|April 26, 2011

Summary

Genomic methods are essential for studying ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) in wastewater treatment. Techniques like FISH, qPCR, and PCR-DGGE allow for the detection and analysis of these crucial bacteria in environmental samples.

Area of Science:

Environmental microbiology
Wastewater treatment technologies
Molecular biology techniques

Background:

Ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) are critical for converting ammonia to nitrite in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs).
Direct isolation of AOB from environmental samples is challenging, necessitating molecular approaches for community characterization.
Understanding AOB dynamics is vital for optimizing nitrogen removal processes in WWTPs.

Purpose of the Study:

To review and summarize commonly applied genomic methods for analyzing AOB communities in wastewater.
To highlight the advantages and limitations of each method for AOB detection and quantification.
To provide a guide for researchers studying AOB in WWTP environments.

Main Methods:

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using 16S rRNA-targeted probes for AOB detection and quantification in biofilms and activated sludge.

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Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) targeting 16S rRNA or amoA genes to determine AOB abundance.

Polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) for evaluating temporal and spatial changes in AOB community structure.

Main Results:

FISH offers robust visualization and quantification of AOB populations within complex microbial communities.
qPCR provides accurate and sensitive measurement of AOB numbers through gene amplification.
PCR-DGGE enables the differentiation of AOB community members and tracking of shifts over time and space.

Conclusions:

Genomic methods are indispensable for characterizing AOB in wastewater due to isolation difficulties.
FISH, qPCR, and PCR-DGGE are valuable tools with distinct strengths for AOB analysis.
Effective application of these techniques aids in understanding and managing AOB in WWTPs.