Use of bioluminescence markers to detect Pseudomonas spp. in the Rhizosphere

Journal Article · Sun Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 1991 · Applied and Environmental Microbiology; (United States)

OSTI ID:5968663

De Weger, L A; Lugtenberg, B J.J. ^[1]; Dunbar, P; Sayler, G S ^[2]; Mahafee, W F ^[3]

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1. Leiden Univ. (Netherlands)
2. Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville (United States)
3. Auburn Univ., AL (United States)

The use of bioluminescence as a sensitive marker for detection of Pseudomonas spp. in the rhizosphere was investigated. Continuous expression of the luxCDABE genes, required for bioluminescence, was not detectable in the rhizosphere. However, when either a naphthalene-inducible luxCDABE construct or a constitutive luxAB construct (coding only for the luciferase) was introduced into the Pseudomonas cells, light emission could be initiated just prior to measurement by the addition of naphthalene or the substrate for luciferase, n-decyl aldehyde, respectively. These Pseudomonas cells could successfully be detected in rhizosphere by using autophotography or optical fiber light measurement techniques. Detection required the presence of 10{sup 3} to 10{sup 4} CFU/cm of root, showing that the bioluminescence technique is at least 1,000-fold more sensitive than {beta}-galactosidase-based systems.

• OSTI ID: 5968663
• Journal Information: Applied and Environmental Microbiology; (United States), Vol. 57:12; ISSN 0099-2240
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BIOLUMINESCENCE
PERFORMANCE
PSEUDOMONAS
DETECTION
BIOLOGICAL MARKERS
GENES
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
NAPHTHALENE
USES
AROMATICS
BACTERIA
CONDENSED AROMATICS
HYDROCARBONS
LUMINESCENCE
MICROORGANISMS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
540210* - Environment
Terrestrial- Basic Studies- (1990-)
550200 - Biochemistry
560300 - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology