Rapid quantification and in situ detection of nitrifying bacteria in biofilms by monoclonal antibody method

Fluorescent antibody technique by the monoclonal antibody method is very useful and helpful for the rapid quantification and in situ detection of the specific bacteria like nitrifiers in a mixed bacterial habitat such as a biofilm. In this study, twelve monoclonal antibodies against Nitrosomonas europaea (IFO 14298) and sixteen against Nitrobacter winogradskyi (IFO 14297) were raised from splenocytes of mice (BALB/c). It was found that these antibodies exhibited little cross reactivity against various kinds of heterotrophic bacteria. The direct cell count method using monoclonal antibodies could exactly detect and rapidly quantify N. europaea and N. winogradskyi. Moreover, the distribution of N. europaea and N. winogradskyi in a biofilm could be examined by in situ fluorescent antibody technique. It was shown that most of N. winogradskyi existed near the surface part and most of N. europaea existed at the inner part of the polyethylene glycol (PEG) gel pellet, which had entrapped activated sludge and used in a landfill leachate treatment reactor. It was suggested that this monoclonal antibody method was utilized for estimating and controlling the population of nitrifying bacteria as a quick and favorable tool.