University Microfilms International 300 N
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
INFORMATION TO USERS This was produced from a copy of a document sent to us for microfilming. While the most advanced technological means to photograph and reproduce this document have been used, the quality is heavily dependent upon the quality of the material submitted. The following explanation of techniques is provided to help you understand markings or notations which may appear on this reproduction. 1. The sign or “target” for pages apparently lacking from the document photographed is “ Missing Page(s)” . If it was possible to obtain the missing page(s) or section, they are spliced into the film along with adjacent pages. This may have necessitated cutting through an image and duplicating adjacent pages to assure you of complete continuity. 2. When an image on the film is obliterated with a round black mark it is an indication that the film inspector noticed either blurred copy because of movement during exposure, or duplicate copy. Unless we meant to delete copyrighted materials that should not have been film ed, you will find a good image of the page in the adjacent frame. If copyrighted materials were deleted you will find a target note listing the pages in the adjacent frame. 3. When a map, drawing or chart, etc., is part of the material being photo graphed the photographer has followed a definite method in “sectioning” the material. It is customary to begin filming at the upper left hand corner of a large sheet and to continue from left to ripbf. in equal sections with small overlaps. If necessary, sectioning is continued again—beginning below the first row and continuing on until complete. 4. For any illustrations that cannot be reproduced satisfactorily by xerography, photographic prints can be purchased at additional cost and tipped into your xerographic copy. Requests can be made to our Dissertations Customer Services Department. 5. Some pages in any document may have indistinct print. In all cases we have filmed the best available copy. University Microfilms International 300 N. ZEEB RD., ANN ARBOR, Ml 48106 8222068 Corder, Robert Elwin THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN INTEGRATED ANAEROBIC SYSTEM FOR THE CULTIVATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF METHANOGENIC BACTERIA The Ohio State University PH.D. 1982 University Microfilms International 300 N. Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, M I 48106 PLEASE NOTE: In all cases this material has been filmed in the best possible way from the available copy. Problems encountered with this document have been identified here with a check mark V . 1. Glossy photographs or pages 2. Colored illustrations, paper or print 3. Photographs with dark background ^ 4. Illustrations are poor copy______ 5. Pages with black marks, not original copy ______ 6. Print shows through as there is text on both sides of page______ 7. Indistinct, broken or small print on several pages ‘ ^ 8. Print exceeds margin requirements______ 9. Tightly bound copy with print lost in spine______ 10. Computer printout pages with indistinct print______ 11. Page(s)____________lacking when material received, and not available from school or author. 12. Page(s)____________seem to be missing in numbering only as text follows. 13. Two pages numbered ____________. Text follows. 14. Curling and wrinkled pages ______ 15. Other__________________________________________________________________________ University Microfilms International THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN INTEGRATED ANAEROBIC SYSTEM FOR THE CULTIVATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF METHANOGENIC BACTERIA DISSERTATION Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Robert Elwin Corder, B.S., M.S. ****** The Ohio State University 1982 Reading Committee: Approved By: Dr. James I. Frea Dr. Robert M. Pfister Dr. Chester I. Randles Dr. Melvin S. Rheins Advisor Department of Microbiologyiologv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank my advisor, Dr. J.I. Frea, for his assistance during my graduate career. I also thank Dr. C.I. Randles, Dr. M.S. Rheins, and Dr. R.M. Pfister for critiqueing this dissertation. Financial support from the Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University, and the State of Ohio was greatly appreciated and was vital to the completion of this work. Mr. Paul Hamilton supplied the agarose gel depicting the restriction analysis of different methanogens. Dr. L.A. Hook supplied the antibiotic sensitivities for the different methane producing cocci. Discussions with Dr. Hook and Mr. Hamilton were helpful and greatly appreciated. Finally, and most importantly, I thank my parents, Jack and Mary Corder, and my wife, Ruth Ann. Without their unwavering emotional support and constant encouragement, this dissertation would not have been possible. ii VITA July 14, 1953........................ Born, Cincinnati, Ohio 197 5 ................................. B.S., University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 1976 to 1978......................... Teaching Associate, Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 1978................................. M.S., The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 1978 to 1982........................ Teaching Associate, Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio FIELDS OF INTEREST Anaerobic physiology, microbial physiology, methanogenesis, and biomass conversion. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.............................................. ii VITA........................ iii LIST OF TABLES................................................ v LIST OF FIGURES............................................... vii INTRODUCTION................................................. 1 LITERATURE REVIEW............................................ 3 MATERIALS AND METHODS........................................ 28 Preparation of a Defined Medium......................... 28 Preparation of the Reducing Agent....................... 33 Transfer and Maintenance of Cultures......... 33 Use of the Anaerobic Chamber............................ 34 Growth of Methanogens on Plates......................... 38 Isolation of New Methanogens from Sediments............. 44 Determination of Dry Weight............................. 45 Serological Analysis of the Olentangy and Delta Isolates............................................ 46 Determination of Methane................................ 46 Determination of Formate Utilization by Methanogens....... 47 Determination of Vitamin Requirements of Methanogens 48 Sources of Known Strains of Methanogens................. 48 Electron Microscopy of the Delta and Olentangy Isolates.. 49 RESULTS....................................................... 50 Development of a Defined Growth Medium.................. 64 Isolation of New Methanogens............................ 92 Characterization of the Olentangy River Coccus and the Mississippi River Delta Coccus................. 95 DISCUSSION.................................................... 119 SUMMARY................ 141 LITERATURE CITED.............................................. 143 iv LIST OF TABLES Table No. Title Page 1 Vitamin requirements for Methanobrevibacter smithii strain PS, pre-grown on biotin and thiamine. Determinations were performed in 18 x 150 mm aluminum seal tubes in tripli cate. Methane determinations were performed immediately after stationary phase was achieved.......................................... 79 2 Vitamin requirements for Methanobrevibacter smithii PS pre-grown on thiamine only and incubated for 48 hours after stationary phase was achieved. Determinations were performed in 18 x 150 mm aluminum seal tubes in triplicate.................................... 82 3 Comparative growth characteristics of four teen methanogens grown on defined medium. (A) g(h) is the generation time in hours for the different organisms. (B) equals the nMoles of methane produced per mg dry weight of cells. All determinations were performed in triplicate.......................... 86 4 Vitamin requirements for Methanobacterium bryantii strain M.o.H. Determinations were performed in triplicate in 18 x 150 mm aluminum seal tubes.............................. b8 5 Vitamin requirements for Methanospirillum hungatei strain J.F. Determinations were performed in triplicate in 18 x 150 mm aluminum seal tubes.............................. 91 New methanogenic isolates, isolated using a defined medium................................... 94 v Table No. Title Page 7 Physiological characterization of the Olentangy isolate. Determinations were performed in triplicate in 18 x 150 mm aluminum seal tubes. + vitamins means all ten vitamins were added; Na acetate was used in a concentration of 0.25%; yeast extract, 0.2%; methanol, 10%, formate, 1%; and Na-butyrate, 0.25%. N.G. = no growth. g(h) = generation time in hours. O.D. = optical density at 580 n m .............. 108 8 Physiological characterization of the Delta isolate. Determinations were performed in triplicate in 18 x 150 mm aluminum seal tubes. All ten vitamins were added or were deleted as indicated. g(h) = generation time in hours O.D. = optical density at 580 nm .............. 110 9 Cross-reactivity of formalized whole cells of Olentangy and Delta isolate with anti serum S probes by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF)............................................. 113 10 Antibiotic sensitivities of the Olentangy, Delta, and Cuyahoga isolates and Methanococcus maripaludis and Methanococcus vannielii. (-) indicates no zone of inhibition, a blank means the sensitivity was not determined, and the numbers 1, 10, or 100