Development and application of 16S RRNA-targeted oligonucleotide probe for detection of the phosphateaccumulating bacterium microlunatus phosphovorus in an enhanced biological phosphorus removal process

Abstract

A 16S rRNA-targeted oligonucleotide probe (MP2) specific for the phosphate-accumulating bacterium (PAB) M. phosphovorus was designed and applied to a sludge from an enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) process. Probes specific for defined phylogenetic groups and the polyphosphate staining dye, DAPI (4', 6-diamidino-2-phenylmdol dihydrochloride) were also used to analyze the activated sludge community. M. phosphovorus was about 3% of the total bacteria in the EBPR sludge used. Proteobacteria belonging to the beta subclass were the most abundant. Many coccoid bacteria similar to M. phosphovorus were stained with DAPI. The percentage of PABs detected by DAPI stain was about 9% of the total bacteria.