Population analysis of a binary bacterial culture by multi-parametric flow cytometry.

To study the degradation of a xenobiotic that requires a mixed culture it is essential to monitor the proportions and to control the population dynamics of the component strains. For these purposes fluorochromising techniques and multi-parametric flow cytometry were used to follow Rhodococcus erythropolis K2-3 and Ochrobactrum anthropi K2-14, both of which are needed to degrade 4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)butyric acid (2,4-DB). Although the two strains can grow in constant proportions in mixed cultures on other substrates, 2,4-DB could not be degraded as a sole substrate in a continuous process and R. erythropolis K2-3 was clearly impaired in the binary mixture. Addition of a second, easily assimilable substrate (xylitol) in appropriate concentrations (empirically determined) helped this strain survive, and thus facilitated complete degradation of the xenobiotic. This combination of substrates was found to stabilise the growth of R. erythropolis K2-3 and, consequently promoted the action of O. anthropi K2-14. Thus, the two organisms became established in constant proportions in a continuous process until reaching steady state. Consequently, multiplication and cell division activities of the two components of the binary culture were high and reached similar values to those attained when they are grown in pure culture.