Development of early and quantitative detection method of earthy-musty odor producing microorganisms in water source utilizing quantitative polymerase chain reaction

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24760440
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Civil and environmental engineering
• Research Institution: National Institute of Public Health
• Principal Investigator: Kishida Naohiro 国立保健医療科学院, その他部局等, その他 (10533359)
• Research Collaborator: SHIMIZU Kazuya
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 水道 / カビ臭 / 遺伝子

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The specificity of quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays targeting geosmin synthase gene was evaluated using cyanobacterial strains isolated form domestic water sources. Then selected high specific qPCR assay was applied to analyze water samples obtained from one water reservoir where geosmin producing cyanobacteria often occurs.
The geosmin synthase gene was successfully detected even when geosmin concentration was low. In addition, the number of geosmin synthase genes analyzed by the qPCR was well correlated with geosmin concentration in the water reservoir. These results demonstrated that the qPCR assay can be used as an early, easy and quantitative detection method of geosmin-producing cyanobacteria in drinking water sources.

Free Research Field

土木環境システム