Assessment of Microbial Community in Fluoride Contaminated Soils using Phospholipid Fatty Acid Analysis

A biochemical method that does not rely on culturing of microorganisms is phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis. The PLFA patterns give an indication of the composition of the microbial community and can be obtained relatively quickly and easily. The effects of fluoride (F-) pollution on soil microbial communities have always been a captivating area that has received little attention in the unique tropical Kuttanad agro-ecosystem. No study has utilized PLFA profiles as a means to detect changes in the soil microbial community structure caused by F-. In the present study, the microbial community in F- contaminated soils of Kuttanad was assessed using PLFA. PLFA analysis showed that different F- levels in the soil have an impact on the community structure of specific microbial groups. General bacteria and actinomycete PLFA a15 16:0 18:0 showed the highest abundance in low F- soil whereas most gram-negative bacteria, cyanobacteria and fungal PLFA a12 16:1ω4c increased in medium F- soil and most PLFA decreased or disappeared in high F- soil suggesting that the status of F- can change the structure of microbial communities in Kuttanad soils.