26 research outputs found

    Monitoring of microbial indicator groups in caves through the use of RIDA®COUNT kits

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    RIDA®COUNT kitsMeasurements of microbiological parameters are not currently widely used for protection, monitoring and preservation of caves although they indicate very well the recent human impact. Here we present a commercially available microbiological kit for cave ecologists, the RIDA®COUNT test kit (R-Biopharm AG, Germany), as a supplementary tool for research and show examples. Simultaneously, lists of microbial indicator groups and cave microhabitats, where this methodology may be applied, are presented. Indicators include certain clinically important human-associated microbes such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp. and Staphylococcus aureus that are easy to quantify with basic cultivation methodology. Relatively higher bacterial counts compared to yeast and moulds on RIDA®COUNT test plates indicate recent and pronounced human impact. Swab samples allow detection of gradients of surface microbial colonization and determination of the microbial load on footprints and fingerprints in caves. In our tests, RIDA®COUNT plates for enumeration of yeast and moulds revealed a similar microbial load between unwashed caving boots and human fingerprints on a metal fence. Similarly, total bacterial counts were comparable between these two surfaces, 5,890 CFU/100 cm2 for unwashed boots and 4,340 CFU/100 cm2 for fingerprints on metal fence. Bacterial counts on walking surfaces in show caves can exceed 10,000 CFU/100 cm2 (Postojna Cave). These examples show that quantification of microbial indicator groups revealed increased microbial load and possible biohazard in the underground. This procedure may be widely adopted as a part of a regular monitoring programme in caves

    Ovlivňuje obsah buněčných mastných kyselin a enzymů jeskynních bakterií potravní preferenci .i.Enchytraeus crypticus./i. (Oligochaeta, Enchytraeidae)?

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    Cellular fatty acid screening (MIDI System) of 93 bacterial strains isolated from the Domica Cave in the Slovak Karst region ( Slovakia) showed that three bacterial strains (.i.Chryseobacterium./i. sp., .i.Enterobacter amnigenus, Rhodococcus./i. sp.) produce polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) 18:3w6 and 20:4w6. These species (along with a non PUFA producer, .i.Rhizobium./i. sp.) were isolated from the gut content or body surface of .i.Mesoniscus graniger./i. (Frivaldsky, 1865) (Crustacea: Isopoda). Bacterial strains were tested for activity of nine saccharolytic enzymes. .i.Chryseobacterium./i. sp. showed amylase, maltase and cellobiase activity, other bacterial species only had amylase activity. As PUFA and enzymes may be essential for animal growth and development, colonies of the four strains were grown for further use in laboratory food selection and reproduction experiments with .i.E. crypticus./i.

    Culture Collection of Soil Actinomycetes in the Institute of Soil Biology BC ASCR, v.v.i. České Budějovice

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    The Culture Collection of Actinomycetes in České Budějovice (CCACB) was established in 2006 that serves as a depository for cultures of soil actinomycetes. The cultures can be used for research, industrial applications, education and general scientific interest. Cultures are preserved mainly in glycerol or freeze-dried conserves. CCACB will offer strains of actinomycetes, namely streptomycetes (more than 900 cultures at the present moment), in catalogue of cultures www.upb.cas.cz, www.actinomycetes.cz
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