ESTIMATING SIZE AND DIVERSITY OF NITRIFYING COMMUNITIES IN DEODORIZING FILTERS USING PCR AND IMMUNOFLUORESCENCE

An exploration of the characteristics of the nitrifying bacterial comm unity, and more specifically the genus Nitrobacter, colonizing biologi cal filters, was carried out using an immunofluorescence (IF) procedur e and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) together with the most proba ble number (MPN) technique. The biofilters were made of activated carb on (AC) or peat as the packing material, through which ammonia or indu strial gaseous effluents were introduced. Serological diversity amongs t Nitrobacter was investigated by the IF procedure. The PCR method was rapid, efficient, and allowed the detection and enumeration of Nitrob acter species in different biological filters on the laboratory and in dustrial scale. An evaluation of species distribution in this genus wa s also made in the column. Although the results were promising, it wil l be necessary to limit DNA and cell losses if the PCR method is to be used for the enumeration of the Nitrobacter population.