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Evaluation of bacterial diversity recovered from petroleum samples using different physical matrices
Bruna Martins Dellagnezze1, Suzan Pantaroto de Vasconcellos2, Itamar Soares de Melo3
1Division of Microbial Resources, Research Center for Chemistry, Biology, Agriculture (CPQBA), University of Campinas - UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
Summary
Microbial enrichments using support materials like polyurethane foam enhance DNA recovery from petroleum reservoirs. This method improves the study of low-density microbial communities, revealing diverse bacteria.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Environmental Science
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Studying microbial diversity in petroleum reservoirs is challenging due to low cellular density.
- DNA extraction from crude oil requires improved methodologies.
- Microbial enrichments can enhance DNA recovery for microbiological analyses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate different matrices (arenite, shale, polyurethane foam) as support materials for microbial growth and biofilm formation.
- To compare microbial biomass yield, DNA recovery efficiency, and diversity among enrichments.
- To characterize microbial communities in petroleum enrichments under sulfate-reducing conditions.
Main Methods:
- Microbial enrichments using a biodegraded petroleum sample and various support materials.
- DNA extraction and purification protocol.
- Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM), Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE), and 16S rRNA gene libraries for diversity characterization.
- Amplified Ribosomal DNA Restriction Analysis (ARDRA) for screening PCR products.
- Sequencing and phylogenetic analyses.
Main Results:
- Support materials increased microbial biomass and biofilm formation.
- Polyurethane foam yielded the most diverse microbiota from biodegraded petroleum samples.
- Bacterial communities were primarily composed of genera Petrotoga, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Geobacillus, and Rahnella.
Conclusions:
- Support materials are effective for enhancing microbial biomass recovery from petroleum reservoir samples.
- Polyurethane foam is a promising material for maximizing microbial diversity recovery in petroleum enrichments.
- This approach facilitates the microbiological analysis of challenging environments like petroleum reservoirs.
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