Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 20, 2025

A Novel Bioreactor for High Density Cultivation of Diverse Microbial Communities
Published on: December 25, 2015
Aerobic denitrifying using actinobacterial consortium: Novel denitrifying microbe and its application
Haihan Zhang1, Wanqiu Yang1, Ben Ma1
1Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Environmental Engineering, Key Laboratory of Northwest Water Resource, Environment and Ecology, MOE, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, China; School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, China.
This study explored nitrogen and carbon removal by mixed aerobic denitrifying actinobacteria (Mix-CADA) from urban lakes. These microbial communities, dominated by Streptomyces, effectively purified micro-polluted water.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Microbiology
- Water Treatment Technologies
- Bioremediation
Background:
- Aerobic denitrification by actinomycete strains is known, but less is understood about mixed-cultured aerobic denitrifying actinobacteria (Mix-CADA) communities.
- Investigating nitrogen and carbon substrate removal by Mix-CADA is crucial for understanding their role in water purification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and characterize Mix-CADA consortiums from urban lakes.
- To evaluate the efficiency of these consortiums in removing nitrate, dissolved organic carbon, and other pollutants from micro-polluted water.
- To identify key microbial species and their contributions to pollutant removal.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of three Mix-CADA consortiums (Y23, X21, Y27) from urban lake water.
- Assessment of nitrate and dissolved organic carbon removal efficiencies.
- Illumina Miseq sequencing for community composition analysis.
- Network analysis to determine the role of dominant species.
Main Results:
- Mix-CADA consortiums achieved >97% nitrate and >90% dissolved organic carbon removal.
- Streptomyces was the dominant genus, with Streptomyces exfoliates identified as a core species contributing significantly to pollutant reduction.
- Consortiums removed 78% of total nitrogen and 61% of the permanganate index from micro-polluted water.
- Humic-like substances were utilized, and one consortium (Y27) also consumed aromatic protein and soluble microbial by-product-like compounds.
Conclusions:
- Mix-CADA consortiums, particularly those dominated by Streptomyces, demonstrate high potential for purifying micro-polluted raw water.
- The identified core species play a vital role in the degradation of various organic pollutants and nitrogen removal.
- This research offers a novel approach for effective water purification using microbial communities.
Related Concept Videos
Metabolism of Chemolithotrophs
Environmental Applications of Microorganisms
Overview of Nitrogen Metabolism
The largest pool of nitrogen available in the terrestrial ecosystem is gaseous nitrogen (N2) from the air, but this...
Inorganic Nitrogen Assimilation
Bioremediation
Carbon-dioxide Fixation

