MICROBIAL-DEGRADATION OF PHTHALATE-ESTERS .6. APPLICATION OF FLUORESCENT-ANTIBODY TECHNIQUE TO TRACE THE MICROORGANISM INOCULATED IN BIOLOGICAL TREATMENT SYSTEMS

The fluorescent antibody technique was used to trace an inoculated Nocardia erythropolis strain which was capable of rapidly degrading phthalate esters in soil column and activated sludge systems, The reaction of antibody to Nocardia erythropolis S-l was highly strain specific, /. only one of twelve other strain of N. erythropolis was stained with this fluorescent antibody. All other species of Nocardia and other genera of bacteria and a strain of Candida were not stained. Using this technique it was demonstrated that N. erythropolis S-l inoculated into activated sludge and soil column systems was successfully distinguished from many other microorganisms in mixed culture systems, and the distribution of this strain was appreciated. © 1979 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.