Microbial DNA sample preservation and possible artifacts for field-based research in remote tropical peatlands

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Environmental Science
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Microbial community analysis requires sample collection and storage, often challenging in remote locations.
• Preservation buffers offer an alternative to cryopreservation for maintaining sample integrity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of different preservation buffers for bacterial and archaeal communities in peat soil.
• To identify optimal methods for preserving microbial communities reflective of their original state.

Main Methods:

• Tested commercial and homemade preservation buffers alongside an optimal DNA extraction kit for peat soil.
• Assessed microbial community shifts over time in various preservation treatments.
• Utilized metrics to quantify variations in community composition across different buffers.

Main Results:

• Non-optimal buffers or lack of preservation led to significant community shifts, reduced diversity, and evenness within three days.
• Specific phyla exhibited growth-driven artifacts in suboptimal preservation conditions.
• Certain buffers effectively preserved microbial community composition close to the original state.

Conclusions:

• Buffer choice is critical for accurately preserving bacterial and archaeal communities, especially in challenging environments like peat soils.
• Methodological assessment of preservation buffers is essential to avoid introducing biases and artifacts in microbiome studies.
• Understanding buffer chemistry and its impact on microbial communities ensures reliable data in environmental microbiology.