Compositions of maple sap microflora and collection system biofilms evaluated by scanning electron microscopy and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis

International Journal of Food Microbiology
Luc LagacéDenis Roy

Abstract

The bacterial microflora of maple sap and biofilms in collection system tubing were studied through the use of bacterial counts, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of surfaces and the analysis of 16S rRNA gene by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). Samples were taken at five times during the 2002 and 2003 seasons in order to follow the changes in the microflora of this complex ecosystem. Bacterial counts showed the growth of bacterial populations as the season advanced. These populations were mainly composed of psychrotrophic bacteria and Pseudomonas spp. SEM results confirmed the suspected presence of biofilms on the inner surfaces of tubing samples. Bacterial colonization and biofilm formation progressively increased during the season for both lateral and main line surfaces, and biofilms were mainly composed of rod shape bacteria. The bacterial microflora profiles obtained for sap and corresponding biofilm by DGGE showed up to 12 major bands. The Shannon-Weaver index of diversity (H) calculated from DGGE bands were statistically higher for sap samples compared to biofilm. The diversity index was relatively stable or increasing for lateral line sap and biofilm samples during the season while the diversity index for...Continue Reading

Citations

Apr 10, 2008·Environmental Microbiology·Daniela MinerdiAngelo Garibaldi
Feb 14, 2012·FEMS Microbiology Ecology·Sergio Alvarez-PérezClara de Vega
Jul 16, 2008·Food Microbiology·Annelies JustéKris A Willems
Dec 10, 2016·The ISME Journal·Marie FilteauChristian R Landry
Jun 29, 2021·Journal of Food Biochemistry·Mohamed Fawzy RamadanMohamed A Farag

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