Combining flow cytometry and 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing: a promising approach for drinking water monitoring and characterization

E I Prest; J El-Chakhtoura; F Hammes; P E Saikaly; M C M van Loosdrecht; J S Vrouwenvelder

doi:10.1016/j.watres.2014.06.020

Combining flow cytometry and 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing: a promising approach for drinking water monitoring and characterization

Water Res. 2014 Oct 15:63:179-89. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2014.06.020. Epub 2014 Jun 24.

Authors

E I Prest¹, J El-Chakhtoura², F Hammes³, P E Saikaly⁴, M C M van Loosdrecht⁵, J S Vrouwenvelder⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, Julianalaan 67, 2628 BC Delft, The Netherlands. Electronic address: E.I.E.D.Prest@tudelft.nl.
² Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, Julianalaan 67, 2628 BC Delft, The Netherlands; Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division, Water Desalination and Reuse Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia.
³ Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Ueberlandstrasse 133, CH-8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland.
⁴ Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division, Water Desalination and Reuse Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia.
⁵ Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, Julianalaan 67, 2628 BC Delft, The Netherlands.
⁶ Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, Julianalaan 67, 2628 BC Delft, The Netherlands; Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division, Water Desalination and Reuse Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia; Wetsus, Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Agora 1, P.O. Box 1113, 8900 CC Leeuwarden, The Netherlands.

PMID: 25000200
DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2014.06.020

Abstract

The combination of flow cytometry (FCM) and 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing data was investigated for the purpose of monitoring and characterizing microbial changes in drinking water distribution systems. High frequency sampling (5 min intervals for 1 h) was performed at the outlet of a treatment plant and at one location in the full-scale distribution network. In total, 52 bulk water samples were analysed with FCM, pyrosequencing and conventional methods (adenosine-triphosphate, ATP; heterotrophic plate count, HPC). FCM and pyrosequencing results individually showed that changes in the microbial community occurred in the water distribution system, which was not detected with conventional monitoring. FCM data showed an increase in the total bacterial cell concentrations (from 345 ± 15 × 10(3) to 425 ± 35 × 10(3) cells mL(-1)) and in the percentage of intact bacterial cells (from 39 ± 3.5% to 53 ± 4.4%) during water distribution. This shift was also observed in the FCM fluorescence fingerprints, which are characteristic of each water sample. A similar shift was detected in the microbial community composition as characterized with pyrosequencing, showing that FCM and genetic fingerprints are congruent. FCM and pyrosequencing data were subsequently combined for the calculation of cell concentration changes for each bacterial phylum. The results revealed an increase in cell concentrations of specific bacterial phyla (e.g., Proteobacteria), along with a decrease in other phyla (e.g., Actinobacteria), which could not be concluded from the two methods individually. The combination of FCM and pyrosequencing methods is a promising approach for future drinking water quality monitoring and for advanced studies on drinking water distribution pipeline ecology.

Keywords: 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing; Biological stability; Drinking water quality monitoring; Flow cytometry; Fluorescence fingerprints; Transport network.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

DNA Fingerprinting*
DNA, Bacterial / genetics
Drinking Water / microbiology*
Environmental Monitoring / methods*
Flow Cytometry*
Netherlands
RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / genetics
Sequence Analysis, DNA
Water Quality*
Water Supply

Substances

DNA, Bacterial
Drinking Water
RNA, Ribosomal, 16S