How to get rid of nematodes contaminating cyanobacterial strains?

20 July 2023 1 10K Report

Dear everyone,

We have successfully isolated some cyanobacterial stains on the BG11 liquid medium. At the starting point cultures were nematode free according to microscopic observation, but one month later we found our media infested with nematodes. We tried increasing air flow in our cultures but it didn't work out. Please provide us with possible solutions, maybe some chemical compounds or physical processes to solve this contamination.

Thanks for any input,

Best regards

Mohd Ariff Ahmad Nazri

Nematodes can be a COMMON contaminant in cyanobacterial cultures and can negatively impact the growth and health of the strains. To get rid of nematode contamination in cyanobacterial cultures, you can follow these steps:

Isolate-Contaminated Cultures: Identify and separate the contaminated cyanobacterial cultures from the unaffected ones. This step helps prevent the further spread of nematodes to other cultures.

Microscopic Examination: Confirm the presence of nematodes in the contaminated cultures through microscopic examination. Nematodes are tiny, worm-like organisms, and their presence can be observed under a microscope.

Prepare a Clean Culture: Start a new, nematode-free culture of the cyanobacterial strain from a reliable and uncontaminated source. This step ensures you have a clean culture to work with.

Quarantine and Disinfect: Place the contaminated cultures in a separate quarantine area to prevent further spread. Disinfect all equipment and surfaces that came into contact with the contaminated cultures, including flasks, pipettes, and culture media containers. Use bleach or other appropriate disinfectants and thoroughly rinse with sterile water.

Temperature Treatment: Nematodes are sensitive to temperature fluctuations. Raising the temperature of the cultures to around 35-37°C for a short period (several hours) can help eliminate the nematodes without harming the cyanobacteria. However, avoid exceeding the tolerable temperature for your cyanobacterial strain.

Filter Sterilization: If the cyanobacterial culture is axenic (free from other contaminants), filter the culture through a 0.2-micron filter to remove nematodes and other microorganisms.

Use Nematode-Repelling Substances: Some substances, like the antibiotic ampicillin, can repel nematodes without harming cyanobacteria. Add such substances to the culture media to deter nematode growth.

Cyclical Subculturing: Periodically subculture your cyanobacterial strains to keep them young and healthy. Frequent subculturing can prevent nematode populations from becoming established.

Maintain Proper Culture Conditions: Provide optimal growth conditions for the cyanobacteria, including light intensity, temperature, and nutrient levels. Healthy cyanobacterial cultures are more resistant to contamination.

Practice Good Laboratory Hygiene: Implement strict hygiene protocols to minimize the risk of contamination. Always work in a clean environment, use sterile techniques, and regularly clean and disinfect equipment.

Remember that preventing contamination is always better than trying to eliminate it. Maintaining aseptic techniques and regularly inspecting your cyanobacterial cultures can help minimize the risk of nematode contamination and maintain healthy cultures.

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