Project Number: 6435-43440-042-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Dec 14, 2009
End Date: Dec 06, 2012

Objective:
The proposed research seeks to develop a means to eliminate off-flavor metabolites without regard for the producing species using bioremediation. To accomplish this goal, we will pursue the following objectives: 1) Physiological characterization and improvement of existing microbial strains for the bioremediation of the off-flavor chemicals, 2-methylisoborneol (MIB) and geosmin, and discovery of new bacterial strains. 2) Development and testing of characterized bacteria for bioremediation under field conditions.

Approach:
Identification and characterization of degradative enzymes and genes encoding them, identification and characterization of regulatory mechanisms, and construct/select, isolate, and characterize constitutive (unregulated) mutants, and isolation and characterization of new bacterial strains having different or improved properties. Pre-characterization of selected strains for their ability to succeed in aquaculture, development, and use of methods for cultivation and application of large quantities of bacteria, for treatment of aquaculture sites and determination of bioremediation effects in aquaculture systems.