Enzyme activity, microbial biomass and community structure in a long-term restored soil under semi-arid conditions

Abstract

Our aim was to evaluate the long-term influences of urban organic amendments on the enzymes involved in the carbon cycle under semi-arid conditions, including changes in the biomass and structure of the microbial community. A soil was restored 24 years ago with an organic amendment based on domestic organic waste. Organic amendment was applied to soil in order to increase the content of total organic carbon (TOC) by 0.5% and 1.5% with respect to the original TOC content. Enzyme isoform composition was studied by using zymographic techniques based on protein extraction, separation by gel electrophoresis and further enzyme-specific, in-gel staining. Total cellulose and β-glucosidase activities, microbial biomass estimated by phospholipid-fatty acid analysis and the number of isoforms of each enzyme showed increases related to the initial amount of organic amendment and the consequent development of vegetation. The information obtained by enzyme activity assays may be improved by the use of zymographic techniques, which allow the investigation of the variety of isoforms of each enzyme. This information could improve the understanding of the relationship between the microbial community and carbon cycling in restored areas.