Cellulose Decomposition by Aerobic Mesophilic Bacteria from Soil

The biomass, community composition, and metabolic activity of soil microorganisms were studied in adjacent burnt and unburnt areas of spruce–fir subalpine forest razed 6 years previously by a moderately severe natural fire. Similar levels of microbial biomass were observed at comparable burnt and unburnt sites, although the ratio of fungal to bacterial biomass was higher in the unburnt soils. The decreased acidity of the surface horizons in the burn probably tended to favor the development of a bacterial flora rather than a fungal flora. Microbial biomass in the burnt sites peaked earlier in the season than in the unburnt sites in response to the warmer soil temperatures and earlier thaw in the spring in the burn area.Significant differences in the species composition of the mycoflora in the organic soil horizons were observed between the burnt and unburnt sites. Apparently, these were related to qualitative differences in the recent litter. Phoma, Cladosporium, and Botrytis, which are usually associated with early stages of decomposition of herbaceous litter, were more common in the burnt soil. The mycoflora of the mineral soil horizons varied considerably from one burn site to another, possibly reflecting the geographical variation in the intensity of the burn. In overall composition, however, the mycoflora in the mineral soil horizons of the burn was not appreciably different from that of the unburnt sites.Higher laboratory rates of respiration and cellulose decomposition were observed for soil samples from the undisturbed forest. However, the rate of decomposition of cellulose in the field was much higher in the burnt sites, probably as a result of the higher soil temperatures in the burn area. Low soil temperature was concluded to be the main factor limiting microbial activities in the study area, and the removal of the insulating plant canopy and increased heat absorption by the ash in the burn area were found to increase decomposition rates, at least at this stage in the succession following the disturbance of fire.

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Factors Influencing the Growth of Salmonella during Sprouting of Naturally Contaminated Alfalfa Seeds

Journal of Food Protection ◽

10.4315/0362-028x-71.5.888 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 71 (5) ◽

pp. 888-896 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

TONG-JEN FU ◽

KARL F. REINEKE ◽

STUART CHIRTEL ◽

OLIF M. VANPELT

Keyword(s):

Irrigation Water ◽

Effect Of Temperature ◽

Irrigation Frequency ◽

Mesophilic Bacteria ◽

Factors Influencing ◽

Alfalfa Seeds ◽

At Home

In this study, the factors that affect Salmonella growth during sprouting of naturally contaminated alfalfa seeds associated with two previous outbreaks of salmonellosis were examined. A minidrum sprouter equipped with automatic irrigation and rotation systems was built to allow sprouting to be conducted under conditions similar to those used commercially. The growth of Salmonella during sprouting in the minidrum was compared with that observed in sprouts grown in glass jars under conditions commonly used at home. The level of Salmonella increased by as much as 4 log units after 48 h of sprouting in jars but remained constant during the entire sprouting period in the minidrum. The effect of temperature and irrigation frequency on Salmonella growth was examined. Increasing the sprouting temperature from 20 to 30°C increased the Salmonella counts by as much as 2 log units on sprouts grown both in the minidrum and in the glass jars. Decreasing the irrigation frequency from every 20 min to every 2 h during sprouting in the minidrum or from every 4 h to every 24 h during sprouting in the glass jars resulted in an approximately 2-log increase in Salmonella counts. The levels of total aerobic mesophilic bacteria, coliforms, and Salmonella in spent irrigation water closely reflected those found in sprouts, confirming that monitoring of spent irrigation water is a good way to monitor pathogen levels during sprouting.

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