In situ analysis of native microbial communities in complex samples with high particulate loads

In the present study a procedure combining a cell extraction method and Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH) for molecular monitoring and quantification of bacteria in soil and aquifer samples is presented. FISH was applied to bacterial cells extracted from the matrix by density gradient centrifugation. This separation method was applied to soil and aquifer samples and produced high cell recovery of 76.5% +/- 4.4 and 78.0% +/- 3.2, respectively. FISH, performed on the harvested cells, permitted a perfect visualization and quantification of bacteria. This approach is therefore promising for in situ detection of indigenous bacterial communities in complex samples. (c) 2005 Federation of European Microbiological Societies. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.