Microbial enrichment using a container having a plurality of solid support particles

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for collecting and concentrating microbes from complex or dilute microbial populations in aqueous or terrestrial environments. The present invention also relates to a method for collecting and concentrating microbes using monomers of polymeric substances conjugated to surface materials.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A device for collecting a population of microorganisms from an environmental sample comprising a solid support having a surface for attaching a selectable microbial enrichment media.  
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the selectable microbial enrichment media comprises a microbial attractant.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the microbial attractant is selected from the group consisting of glucosamine, cellulose, pentanoic or other acids, xylan, lignin, chitin, alkanes, aromatics, chloroorganics, sulphonyls and heavy metals.  
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the selectable microbial enrichment media comprises a growth inhibitor for eukaryotic organisms.  
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein a growth inhibitor specific for eukaryotic organisms is selected from the group consisting of nystatin, cycloheximide and pimaricin.  
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the selectable microbial enrichment media comprises a growth inhibitor for prokaryotic organisms.  
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein a growth inhibitor specific for prokaryotic organisms is selected from the group consisting of polymyxin, penicillin and rifampin.  
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the solid support is selected from the group consisting of glass beads, silica aerogels, agarose, Sepharose, Safeties, nitrocellulose, polyethylene, dextran, nylon, natural and modified cellulose, polyacrylamide, polystyrene, polypropylene, and microporous polyvinylidene difluoride membrane.  
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the population of microorganisms is a population of uncultivated microorganisms.  
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the uncultivated microorganisms comprise a mixture of terrestrial microorganisms, a mixture of marine microorganisms, or a mixture of terrestrial microorganisms and marine microorganisms.  
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the uncultivated microorganisms are extremophiles.  
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the extremophiles are selected from the group consisting of thermophiles, hyperthermophiles, psychrophiles, halophiles, acidophiles, barophiles and psychrotrophs.  
     
     
         13 . A method for isolating a population of microorganisms from an environmental sample comprising: 
 a) contacting the sample with a device having a solid support and a surface for attaching a selectable microbial enrichment media; and    b) isolating the population from the device.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the selectable microbial enrichment media comprises a microbial attractant.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the microbial attractant is selected from the group consisting of glucosamine, cellulose, pentanoic or other acids, xylan, lignin, chitin, alkanes, aromatics, chloroorganics, sulphonyls and heavy metals.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the selectable microbial enrichment media comprises a growth inhibitor for eukaryotic organisms.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein a growth inhibitor specific for eukaryotic organisms is selected from the group consisting of nystatin, cycloheximide and pimaricin.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the selectable microbial enrichment media comprises a growth inhibitor for prokaryotic organisms.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein a growth inhibitor specific for prokaryotic organisms is selected from the group consisting of polymyxin, penicillin and rifampin.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the solid support is selected from the group consisting of glass beads, silica aerogels, agarose, sepharose, safeties, nitrocellulose, polyethylene, dextran, nylon, natural and modified cellulose, polyacrylamide, polystyrene, polypropylene, and microporous polyvinylidene difluoride membrane.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the population of microorganisms is a population of uncultivated microorganisms.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the uncultivated microorganisms comprise a mixture of terrestrial microorganisms, a mixture of marine microorganisms, or a mixture of terrestrial microorganisms and marine microorganisms.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the uncultivated microorganisms are extremophiles.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the extremophiles are selected from the group consisting of thermophiles, hyperthermophiles, psychrophiles, halophiles, acidophiles, barophiles and psychrotrophs.