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Abstract Detail



Poster Session

Oliver, Jason P. [1], Janni, Kevin A. [2], Schilling, Jonathan S. [1].

Developing a qPCR approach to monitor fungal dominance in biofilms colonizing wood chip biofilters.

Microbial biofilms on organic media can be used effectively as low-cost biofilters to capture and treat odors and greenhouse gases from livestock production exhaust air.  Over the past 20 years investigative efforts have improved our understanding of key microbial oxidative processes in these biofilters, particularly for bacteria.  However, microbial responses to the dynamic abiotic conditions of these systems, their feedback on system performance, and the role of biofilter fungi remain poorly characterized.  It has been suggested that increasing the portion of fungi in the biofilm might improve biofilm resilience and biofilter performance in such dynamic environments, but this is poorly documented beyond bench-scale.  Fungi may be important components of gas-phase biofilter communities for several reasons.  1) Fungi have greater resistance than bacteria to the acidity generated from biodegradation of emissions and to the dry conditions that are common for biofilter media in operation.  2) Aerial fungal biomass can increase the effective surface area of biofilm in contact with the polluted airstream.  3) Physiochemical surface properties of the fungal mycelium and extracellular materials have been linked to improved capture of hydrophobic emissions.  These potential advantages provided by fungi would improve biofilter performance stability, pollutant impact potential, and overall capture of less soluble pollutants like methane.  To study fungal biofilm dynamics in full-scale biofilters we have optimized a sampling methodology and use of the biomarkers ergosterol and microbial C.   Additionally, we aim to develop a relevant real-time quantitative PCR approach to compliment this biofilter microbial monitoring and increase the resolution of functionally relevant groups.  In this poster, we outline preliminary findings based on primers for broad functional groups and seek feedback on development of relevant controls.


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1 - University of Minnesota, Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, Kaufert Laboratory, 2004 Folwell Avenue, Saint Paul, MN, 55108, USA
2 - University of Minnesota, Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Building, 1390 Eckles Avenue, Saint Paul, MN, 55108, USA

Keywords:
Biofilm
Biofilter
qPCR
Fungal Biomass
Bacterial Biomass.

Presentation Type: Offered Paper - Poster
Session: P4
Location: Lincoln Room/Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center
Date: Tuesday, June 10th, 2014
Time: 8:00 PM
Number: P4007
Abstract ID:78
Candidate for Awards:Graduate Student Poster Presentation Award


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