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Furuta K, Byrne J, Luat K, Cheung C, Carter DO, Tipton L, Perrault Uptmor KA. Volatile organic compounds produced during postmortem processes can be linked via chromatographic profiles to individual postmortem bacterial species. J Chromatogr A 2024; 1728:465017. [PMID: 38797136 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2024.465017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2024] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Decomposition odor is produced during postmortem mammalian tissue breakdown by bacteria, insects, and intrinsic chemical processes. Past research has not thoroughly investigated which volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can be linked directly to individual bacterial species on decomposing remains. The purpose of this study was to profile the VOCs produced over time by individual species of bacteria using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC×GC) to expand our foundational knowledge of what each bacterial species contributes to decomposition odor. Five different species of bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Ignatzschineria indica, Ignatzschineria ureiclastica, Curtobacterium luteum, and Vagococcus lutrae) were cultured on standard nutrient agar individually and monitored daily using solid phase microextraction arrow (SPME Arrow) and GC×GC in combination with quadrupole mass spectrometry (qMS) and flame ionization detection (FID). The GC×GC-qMS/FID approach was used to generate rich VOC profiles that represented the bacterial species' metabolic VOC production longitudinally. The data obtained from the chromatographic output was used to compare with a prior study using one-dimensional GC-qMS, and also between each of the five species to investigate the extent of overlap between species. No single VOC could be found in all five bacterial species investigated, and there was little overlap in the profile between species. To further visualize these differences, chromatographic peak data was investigated using two different ordination strategies, principal component analysis (PCA) and principal coordinate analysis (PCoA). The two ordination strategies were compared with each other using a Procrustes analysis. This was performed to understand differences in ordination strategies between the separation science community and chemical ecological community. Overall, ordination strategies were found to produce similar results, as evidenced by the correlation of PCA and PCoA in the Procrustes analysis. All analysis strategies yielded distinct VOC profiles for each species. Further study of additional species will support understanding of the holistic view of decomposition odor from a chemical ecology perspective, and further support our understanding of the production of decomposition odor that culminates from such a complex environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle Furuta
- Laboratory of Forensic and Bioanalytical Chemistry, School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Chaminade University of Honolulu, United States
| | - Julianne Byrne
- Laboratory of Forensic and Bioanalytical Chemistry, School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Chaminade University of Honolulu, United States
| | - Kawailani Luat
- School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Chaminade University of Honolulu, United States
| | - Cynthia Cheung
- Laboratory of Forensic and Bioanalytical Chemistry, School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Chaminade University of Honolulu, United States
| | - David O Carter
- Laboratory of Forensic Taphonomy, School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Chaminade University of Honolulu, United States
| | - Laura Tipton
- School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Chaminade University of Honolulu, United States; Departments of Biology and Mathematics & Statistics, James Madison University, United States
| | - Katelynn A Perrault Uptmor
- Laboratory of Forensic and Bioanalytical Chemistry, School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Chaminade University of Honolulu, United States; Nontargeted Separations Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, William & Mary, United States.
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Su W, Yu Q, Yang J, Han Q, Wang S, Heděnec P, Wang X, Wan-Yan R, Li H. Cadaverine and putrescine exposure influence carbon and nitrogen cycling genes in water and sediment of the Yellow River. J Environ Sci (China) 2024; 142:236-247. [PMID: 38527889 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2023.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
The response patterns of microbial functional genes involved in biogeochemical cycles to cadaver decay is a central topic of recent environmental sciences. However, the response mechanisms and pathways of the functional genes associated with the carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycling to cadaveric substances such as cadaverine and putrescine remain unclear. This study explored the variation of functional genes associated with C fixation, C degradation and N cycling and their influencing factors under cadaverine, putrescine and mixed treatments. Our results showed only putrescine significantly increased the alpha diversity of C fixation genes, while reducing the alpha diversity of N cycling genes in sediment. For the C cycling, the mixed treatment significantly decreased the total abundance of reductive acetyl-CoA pathway genes (i.e., acsB and acsE) and lig gene linked to lignin degradation in water, while only significantly increasing the hydroxypropionate-hydroxybutylate cycle (i.e., accA) gene abundance in sediment. For the N cycling, mixed treatment significantly decreased the abundance of the nitrification (i.e., amoB), denitrification (i.e., nirS3) genes in water and the assimilation pathway gene (i.e., gdhA) in sediment. Environmental factors (i.e., total carbon and total nitrogen) were all negatively associated with the genes of C and N cycling. Therefore, cadaverine and putrescine exposure may inhibit the pathway in C fixation and N cycling, while promoting C degradation. These findings can offer some new insight for the management of amine pollution caused by animal cadavers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanghong Su
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Qiaoling Yu
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Jiawei Yang
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Qian Han
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Sijie Wang
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Petr Heděnec
- Institute for Tropical Biodiversity and Sustainable Development, University Malaysia Terengganu, 21030, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Xiaochen Wang
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Ruijun Wan-Yan
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Huan Li
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China; State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Center for Grassland Microbiome, College of pastoral agriculture science and technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China.
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Dawson BM, Ueland M, Carter DO, Mclntyre D, Barton PS. Bridging the gap between decomposition theory and forensic research on postmortem interval. Int J Legal Med 2024; 138:509-518. [PMID: 37491634 PMCID: PMC10861637 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-023-03060-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
Knowledge of the decomposition of vertebrate animals has advanced considerably in recent years and revealed complex interactions among biological and environmental factors that affect rates of decay. Yet this complexity remains to be fully incorporated into research or models of the postmortem interval (PMI). We suggest there is both opportunity and a need to use recent advances in decomposition theory to guide forensic research and its applications to understanding the PMI. Here we synthesise knowledge of the biological and environmental factors driving variation in decomposition and the acknowledged limitations among current models of the PMI. To guide improvement in this area, we introduce a conceptual framework that highlights the multiple interdependencies affecting decay rates throughout the decomposition process. Our framework reinforces the need for a multidisciplinary approach to PMI research, and calls for an adaptive research cycle that aims to reduce uncertainty in PMI estimates via experimentation, modelling, and validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blake M Dawson
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, 2350, Australia.
| | - Maiken Ueland
- Centre for Forensic Science, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - David O Carter
- Forensic Sciences Unit, School of Natural Sciences & Mathematics, Chaminade University of Honolulu, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA
| | - Donna Mclntyre
- Graduate Research School, Federation University, Mount Helen, Ballarat, VIC, 3350, Australia
- Future Regions Research Centre, Federation University, Mount Helen, Ballarat, VIC, 3350, Australia
| | - Philip S Barton
- Future Regions Research Centre, Federation University, Mount Helen, Ballarat, VIC, 3350, Australia
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, 3216, Australia
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Li X, Yi S, Chen L, Hafeez M, Zhang Z, Zhang J, Zhou S, Dong W, Huang J, Lu Y. The application of entomopathogenic nematode modified microbial communities within nesting mounds of the red imported fire ants, Solenopsis invicta. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:168748. [PMID: 38008315 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023]
Abstract
Entomopathogenic microorganisms (e.g., fungi, bacteria, nematodes) have been widely used in biological control of soil-dwelling pests, including the red imported fire ant (RIFA), Solenopsis invicta, a notorious invasive pest worldwide. The application of large amounts of entomopathogenic microorganisms to soil may affect the indigenous soil microbial communities. However, reports about the effect of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) on soil microbial communities are very few. In this study, the effects of EPN on RIFA populations and microbial communities in mounds were investigated. Our results showed that the application of the EPN Steinernema carpocapsae. All strain on mounds efficaciously suppressed RIFA worker populations, without forming significantly more satellite mounds compared with the control treatment. The application of EPN did not impact the bacterial and fungal diversity in soils derived from the RIFA mounds. However, it slightly altered the taxonomic make-up of the bacterial communities, but significantly altered the taxonomic composition of fungal communities at the phylum, family, and genus levels. The abundances of some beneficial bacteria and fungi, such as Streptomyces, decreased, while those of plant and animal pathogenic bacteria and fungi, dramatically increased, after EPN treatment. On the other hand, the abundances of some entomopathogenic fungi, such as Fusicolla, Clonostachys, and Mortierella, increased. Redundancy analysis or canonical correspondence analysis revealed a positive correlation between the efficacious EPN control and the presence of the insect-resistant bacteria, Sinomonas, as well as entomopathogenic fungi Fusicolla and Mortierella. This suggests that the interactions between EPN and entomopathogenic fungi may play a role in the biological control of RIFA. Our discoveries shed light on the interactions among EPN, RIFA, and soil microbial communities, and emphasize a possible mutualistic relationship between EPN and entomopathogenic fungi in the biological control of RIFA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaowei Li
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology in Plant Protection of MOA of China and Zhejiang Province, Institute of Plant Protection and Microbiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
| | - Songwang Yi
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology in Plant Protection of MOA of China and Zhejiang Province, Institute of Plant Protection and Microbiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China; College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China
| | - Limin Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology in Plant Protection of MOA of China and Zhejiang Province, Institute of Plant Protection and Microbiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
| | - Muhammad Hafeez
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology in Plant Protection of MOA of China and Zhejiang Province, Institute of Plant Protection and Microbiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
| | - Zhijun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology in Plant Protection of MOA of China and Zhejiang Province, Institute of Plant Protection and Microbiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
| | - Jinming Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology in Plant Protection of MOA of China and Zhejiang Province, Institute of Plant Protection and Microbiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
| | - Shuxing Zhou
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology in Plant Protection of MOA of China and Zhejiang Province, Institute of Plant Protection and Microbiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
| | - Wanying Dong
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology in Plant Protection of MOA of China and Zhejiang Province, Institute of Plant Protection and Microbiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
| | - Jun Huang
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology in Plant Protection of MOA of China and Zhejiang Province, Institute of Plant Protection and Microbiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China.
| | - Yaobin Lu
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology in Plant Protection of MOA of China and Zhejiang Province, Institute of Plant Protection and Microbiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China; Institute of Bio-Interaction, Xianghu Laboratory, Hangzhou 311258, China.
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Cieśla J, Skrobisz J, Niciński B, Kloc M, Mazur K, Pałasz A, Javan GT, Tomsia M. The smell of death. State-of-the-art and future research directions. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1260869. [PMID: 37779703 PMCID: PMC10538644 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1260869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The decomposition of a body is inseparably associated with the release of several types of odors. This phenomenon has been used in the training of sniffer dogs for decades. The odor profile associated with decomposition consists of a range of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), chemical composition of which varies over time, temperature, environmental conditions, and the type of microorganisms, and insects colonizing the carcass. Mercaptans are responsible for the bad smell associated with corpses; however, there are no unified recommendations for conducting forensic analysis based on the detectable odor of revealed corpses and previous research on VOCs shows differing results. The aim of this review is to systematize the current knowledge on the type of volatile organic compounds related to the decomposition process, depending on a few variables. This knowledge will improve the methods of VOCs detection and analysis to be used in modern forensic diagnostics and improve the methods of training dogs for forensic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Cieśla
- Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Julia Skrobisz
- Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Bartosz Niciński
- Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Magdalena Kloc
- Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Mazur
- Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Artur Pałasz
- Department of Histology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Gulnaz T. Javan
- Department of Physical and Forensic Science Programs, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL, United States
| | - Marcin Tomsia
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Forensic Toxicology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
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Liu R, Zhang K, Li H, Sun Q, Wei X, Li H, Zhang S, Fan S, Wang Z. Dissecting the microbial community structure of internal organs during the early postmortem period in a murine corpse model. BMC Microbiol 2023; 23:38. [PMID: 36765295 PMCID: PMC9912631 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-023-02786-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Microorganisms distribute and proliferate both inside and outside the body, which are the main mediators of decomposition after death. However, limited information is available on the postmortem microbiota changes of extraintestinal body sites in the early decomposition stage of mammalian corpses. RESULTS This study investigated microbial composition variations among different organs and the relationship between microbial communities and time since death over 1 day of decomposition in male C57BL/6 J mice by 16S rRNA sequencing. During 1 day of decomposition, Agrobacterium, Prevotella, Bacillus, and Turicibacter were regarded as time-relevant genera in internal organs at different timepoints. Pathways associated with lipid, amino acid, carbohydrate and terpenoid and polyketide metabolism were significantly enriched at 8 h than that at 0.5 or 4 h. The microbiome compositions and postmortem metabolic pathways differed by time since death, and more importantly, these alterations were organ specific. CONCLUSION The dominant microbes differed by organ, while they tended toward similarity as decomposition progressed. The observed thanatomicrobiome variation by body site provides new knowledge into decomposition ecology and forensic microbiology. Additionally, the microbes detected at 0.5 h in internal organs may inform a new direction for organ transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruina Liu
- College of Forensic Medicine, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710061 China
| | - Kai Zhang
- College of Forensic Medicine, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710061 China
| | - Huan Li
- Xi’an Mental Health Center Hospital, Xi’an, 710061 China
| | - Qinru Sun
- College of Forensic Medicine, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710061 China
| | - Xin Wei
- College of Forensic Medicine, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710061 China
| | - Huiyu Li
- College of Forensic Medicine, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710061 China
| | - Siruo Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shaanxi Provincial People’s Hospital, Shaanxi Xi’an, 710068 People’s Republic of China
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi Xi’an, 710061 People’s Republic of China
| | - Shuanliang Fan
- College of Forensic Medicine, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710061 China
| | - Zhenyuan Wang
- College of Forensic Medicine, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710061 China
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von Hoermann C, Benbow ME, Rottler-Hoermann AM, Lackner T, Sommer D, Receveur JP, Bässler C, Heurich M, Müller J. Factors influencing carrion communities are only partially consistent with those of deadwood necromass. Oecologia 2023; 201:537-547. [PMID: 36697878 PMCID: PMC9943954 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-023-05327-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Research on decomposer communities has traditionally focused on plant litter or deadwood. Even though carrion forms highly nutrient-rich necromass that enhance ecosystem heterogeneity, the factors influencing saprophytic communities remain largely unknown. For deadwood, experiments have shown that different drivers determine beetles (i.e., decay stage, microclimate, and space), fungi (i.e., decay stage and tree species) and bacteria (decay stage only) assemblages. To test the hypothesis that similar factors also structure carrion communities, we sampled 29 carcasses exposed for 30 days that included Cervus elaphus (N = 6), Capreolus capreolus (N = 18), and Vulpes vulpes (N = 5) in a mountain forest throughout decomposition. Beetles were collected with pitfall traps, while microbial communities were characterized using amplicon sequencing. Assemblages were determined with a focus from rare to dominant species using Hill numbers. With increasing focus on dominant species, the relative importance of carcass identity on beetles and space on bacteria increased, while only succession and microclimate remained relevant for fungi. For beetle and bacteria with focus on dominant species, host identity was more important than microclimate, which is in marked contrast to deadwood. We conclude that factors influencing carrion saprophytic assemblages show some consistency, but also differences from those of deadwood assemblages, suggesting that short-lived carrion and long-lasting deadwood both provide a resource pulse with different adaptions in insects and microbes. As with deadwood, a high diversity of carcass species under multiple decay stages and different microclimates support a diverse decomposer community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian von Hoermann
- Department of Conservation and Research, Bavarian Forest National Park, Freyunger Str. 2, 94481 Grafenau, Germany
| | - M. Eric Benbow
- Department of Entomology, Department of Osteopathic Specialties, AgBioResearch and Ecology, Evolution and Behavior Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824 USA
| | - Ann-Marie Rottler-Hoermann
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm, Albert-Einstein Allee 11, 89069 Ulm, Germany
| | - Tomáš Lackner
- Department of Conservation and Research, Bavarian Forest National Park, Freyunger Str. 2, 94481 Grafenau, Germany
| | - David Sommer
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Vinicna 7, 12844 Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Ecology, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague, Kamycka 1176, 16521 Praha, Czech Republic
| | - Joseph P. Receveur
- Department of Entomology, Department of Osteopathic Specialties, AgBioResearch and Ecology, Evolution and Behavior Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824 USA
| | - Claus Bässler
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Institute for Ecology, Evolution and Diversity, Conservation Biology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Bavarian Forest National Park, Freyunger Str. 2, 94481 Grafenau, Germany
| | - Marco Heurich
- Department of Visitor Management and National Park Monitoring, Bavarian Forest National Park, 94481 Grafenau, Germany
- Chair of Wildlife Ecology and Wildlife Management, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
- Institute for Forest and Wildlife Management, Inland Norway University of Applied Science, 2480 Koppang, Norway
| | - Jörg Müller
- Department of Conservation and Research, Bavarian Forest National Park, Freyunger Str. 2, 94481 Grafenau, Germany
- Field Station Fabrikschleichach, Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, University of Würzburg, 96181 Rauhenebrach, Germany
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von Hoermann C, Weithmann S, Sikorski J, Nevo O, Szpila K, Grzywacz A, Grunwald JE, Reckel F, Overmann J, Steiger S, Ayasse M. Linking bacteria, volatiles and insects on carrion: the role of temporal and spatial factors regulating inter-kingdom communication via volatiles. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2022; 9:220555. [PMID: 36061525 PMCID: PMC9428529 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.220555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Multi-kingdom community complexity and the chemically mediated dynamics between bacteria and insects have recently received increased attention in carrion research. However, the strength of these inter-kingdom interactions and the factors that regulate them are poorly studied. We used 75 piglet cadavers across three forest regions to survey the relationship between three actors (epinecrotic bacteria, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and flies) during the first 4 days of decomposition and the factors that regulate this interdependence. The results showed a dynamic bacterial change during decomposition (temperature-time index) and across the forest management gradient, but not between regions. Similarly, VOC emission was dynamic across a temperature-time index and the forest management gradient but did not differ between regions. However, fly occurrence was dynamic across both space and time. The strong interdependence between the three actors was mainly regulated by the temperature-time index and the study regions, thereby revealing regulation at temporal and spatial scales. Additionally, the actor interdependence was stable across a gradient of forest management intensity. By combining different actors of decomposition, we have expanded our knowledge of the holistic mechanisms regulating carrion community dynamics and inter-kingdom interactions, an important precondition for better describing food web dynamics and entire ecosystem functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian von Hoermann
- Department of Conservation and Research, Bavarian Forest National Park, Grafenau, Germany
| | - Sandra Weithmann
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Johannes Sikorski
- Department of Microbial Ecology and Diversity Research, Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures GmbH, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Omer Nevo
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biodiversity, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Krzysztof Szpila
- Department of Ecology and Biogeography, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Torun, Poland
| | - Andrzej Grzywacz
- Department of Ecology and Biogeography, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Torun, Poland
| | - Jan-Eric Grunwald
- Bavarian State Criminal Police Office, SG 204, Microtraces/Biology, 80636 Munich, Germany
| | - Frank Reckel
- Bavarian State Criminal Police Office, SG 204, Microtraces/Biology, 80636 Munich, Germany
| | - Jörg Overmann
- Department of Microbial Ecology and Diversity Research, Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures GmbH, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Sandra Steiger
- Department of Evolutionary Animal Ecology, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Manfred Ayasse
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
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Miguel MA, Kim SH, Lee SS, Cho YI. Impact of Soil Microbes and Oxygen Availability on Bacterial Community Structure of Decomposing Poultry Carcasses. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:2937. [PMID: 34679958 PMCID: PMC8532636 DOI: 10.3390/ani11102937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The impact of soil with an intact microbial community and oxygen availability on moisture content, soil pH, and bacterial communities during decomposition of poultry carcasses was investigated. Poultry carcasses were decomposed in soil with or without a microbial community, under aerobic or anaerobic conditions. The samples collected in each microcosm burial set-up were analyzed by targeted 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and Amplicon sequence variants (ASV) method. Our results showed that moisture was high in the burial set-ups under anaerobic conditions and pH was high in the burial set-ups under aerobic conditions. Meanwhile, the Chao1 and Shannon index significantly differed between the different burial set-ups and across different time points. In addition, bacterial taxa composition during the early period of decomposition differed from that of the late period. A total of 23 phyla, 901 genera, and 1992 species were identified. Firmicutes was the most dominant phyla in all burial set-ups throughout the decomposition. At day 60, Pseudogracilibacillus was dominant in the burial set-ups under aerobic conditions, while Lentibacillus dominated in the burial set-ups under anaerobic conditions. This study demonstrated that the soil microbial community and availability of oxygen significantly affected the changes in moisture content, pH, and bacterial composition during the decomposition process.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Yong-Il Cho
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, Sunchon National University, Suncheon 57922, Korea; (M.A.M.); (S.-H.K.); (S.-S.L.)
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10
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Zhou R, Yu Q, Li T, Long M, Wang Y, Feng T, Su W, Yang J, Li H. Carcass decomposition influences the metabolic profiles and enriches noxious metabolites in different water types by widely targeted metabolomics. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 269:129400. [PMID: 33383254 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.129400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/19/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Carcass decomposition could be considered as a common phenomenon in nature. However, during degradation processes, animal carcasses produce many toxic and harmful metabolites, posing potential ecological risks to water safety, thereby threatening human health. However, the metabolites produced by decomposition of animal corpses are not well understood. In this study, building on our previous baseline study of microbial community between the experimental groups (with animal carcasses) and control groups (without carcasses), the samples at the ultimate stage (19th day) of carcass decomposition were chosen to investigate the metabolic profiles and uncover the relationships between water quality, microbes and noxious metabolites in two types of water (Yellow River water and tap water) using fish as animal model by widely targeted metabolomics. Our results showed amino acid metabolomics, indole and its derivatives, and pyridine and pyridine derivatives mainly occurred in the corpse groups, suggesting that these metabolites are markers of carcass decomposition. And some noxious metabolites (e.g., polyamine, amines, and benzene and substituted derivatives) highly associated with carcass decomposition, which revealed new insights into how to investigate the hazard materials in water. And these noxious metabolites in the corpse groups were even increased 214543-fold in average compared with the control groups. Meanwhile, treatment was the most important factor affecting the water metabolites while microbiome contributed a small proportion to the metabolic profiles. Several opportunistic pathogenic genera Comamonas, Bacteriodes and Alcaligenes co-occurred most frequently with several kinds of polyamines and amines while some dominant genera Rhodoferax, Delftia and Brevundimonas had significant positive relationships with specific benzene and substituted derivatives. This work demonstrates that carcass decomposition causes water quality deterioration by producing various toxic metabolites, thus providing new insights into noxious metabolites when exposed to animal carcasses in aquatic environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Zhou
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Qiaoling Yu
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Tongtong Li
- Department of Applied Biology, College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014, China
| | - Meng Long
- Shenzhen Institute of Guangdong Ocean University, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Aquatic Animal Health Assessment, Shenzhen Public Service Platform for Evaluation of Marine Economic Animal Seedings, Shenzhen, 518120, China; Shenzhen Dapeng New District Science and Technology Innovation Service Center, Shenzhen, 518120, China; Key Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Yijie Wang
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Tianshu Feng
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Wanghong Su
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Jiawei Yang
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Huan Li
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China; Center for Grassland Microbiome, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China.
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11
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Characterization of the volatile odor profile from larval masses in a field decomposition setting. Forensic Chem 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forc.2020.100288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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12
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The Attraction of the Dung Beetle Anoplotrupes stercorosus (Coleoptera: Geotrupidae) to Volatiles from Vertebrate Cadavers. INSECTS 2020; 11:insects11080476. [PMID: 32727148 PMCID: PMC7469141 DOI: 10.3390/insects11080476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
During decomposition, vertebrate carrion emits volatile organic compounds to which insects and other scavengers are attracted. We have previously found that the dung beetle, Anoplotrupes stercorosus, is the most common dung beetle found on vertebrate cadavers. Our aim in this study was to identify volatile key compounds emitted from carrion and used by A. stercorosus to locate this nutritive resource. By collecting cadaveric volatiles and performing electroantennographic detection, we tested which compounds A. stercorosus perceived in the post-bloating decomposition stage. Receptors in the antennae of A. stercorosus responded to 24 volatiles in odor bouquets from post-bloating decay. Subsequently, we produced a synthetic cadaver odor bouquet consisting of six compounds (benzaldehyde, DMTS, 3-octanone, 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-ol, nonanal, dodecane) perceived by the beetles and used various blends to attract A. stercorosus in German forests. In field assays, these beetles were attracted to a blend of DMTS, 3-octanone, and benzaldehyde. Generalist feeding behavior might lead to the super-dominant occurrence of A. stercorosus in temperate European forests and have a potentially large impact on the exploitation and rapid turnover of temporally limited resources such as vertebrate cadavers.
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13
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Dangerfield CR, Frehner EH, Buechley ER, Şekercioğlu ÇH, Brazelton WJ. Succession of bacterial communities on carrion is independent of vertebrate scavengers. PeerJ 2020; 8:e9307. [PMID: 32566404 PMCID: PMC7293191 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The decomposition of carrion is carried out by a suite of macro- and micro-organisms who interact with each other in a variety of ecological contexts. The ultimate result of carrion decomposition is the recycling of carbon and nutrients from the carrion back into the ecosystem. Exploring these ecological interactions among animals and microbes is a critical aspect of understanding the nutrient cycling of an ecosystem. Here we investigate the potential impacts that vertebrate scavenging may have on the microbial community of carrion. In this study, we placed seven juvenile domestic cow carcasses in the Grassy Mountain region of Utah, USA and collected tissue samples at periodic intervals. Using high-depth environmental sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene and camera trap data, we documented the microbial community shifts associated with decomposition and with vertebrate scavenger visitation. The remarkable scarcity of animals at our study site enabled us to examine natural carrion decomposition in the near absence of animal scavengers. Our results indicate that the microbial communities of carcasses that experienced large amounts of scavenging activity were not significantly different than those carcasses that observed very little scavenging activity. Rather, the microbial community shifts reflected changes in the stage of decomposition similar to other studies documenting the successional changes of carrion microbial communities. Our study suggests that microbial community succession on carrion follows consistent patterns that are largely unaffected by vertebrate scavenging.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ethan H. Frehner
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Evan R. Buechley
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- HawkWatch International, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Çağan H. Şekercioğlu
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Ko University, Istanbul, Turkey
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14
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Ramírez M, Ortiz MI, Guerenstein P, Molina J. Novel repellents for the blood-sucking insects Rhodnius prolixus and Triatoma infestans, vectors of Chagas disease. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:142. [PMID: 32188498 PMCID: PMC7079506 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04013-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studying the behavioral response of blood-sucking disease-vector insects to potentially repellent volatile compounds could shed light on the development of new control strategies. Volatiles released by human facial skin microbiota play different roles in the host-seeking behavior of triatomines. We assessed the repellency effect of such compounds of bacterial origin on Triatoma infestans and Rhodnius prolixus, two important vectors of Chagas disease in Latin America. METHODS Using an exposure device, insects were presented to human odor alone (control) and in the presence of three individual test compounds (2-mercaptoethanol, dimethyl sulfide and 2-phenylethanol, the latter only tested in R. prolixus) and the gold-standard repellent NN-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (DEET). We quantified the time the insects spent in the proximity of the host and determined if any of the compounds evaluated affected the behavior of the insects. RESULTS We found volatiles that significantly reduced the time spent in the proximity of the host. These were 2-phenylethanol and 2-mercaptoethanol for R. prolixus, and dimethyl sulfide and 2-mercaptoethanol for T. infestans. Such an effect was also observed in both species when DEET was presented, although only at the higher doses tested. CONCLUSIONS The new repellents modulated the behavior of two Chagas disease vectors belonging to two different triatomine tribes, and this was achieved using a dose up to three orders of magnitude lower than that needed to evoke the same effect with DEET. Future efforts in understanding the mechanism of action of repellent compounds such as 2-mercaptoethanol, as well as an assessment of their temporal and spatial repellent properties, could lead to the development of novel control strategies for these insect vectors, refractory to DEET.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Ramírez
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Tropical (CIMPAT), Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Mario I Ortiz
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Tropical (CIMPAT), Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Pablo Guerenstein
- Laboratorio de Estudio de la Biología de Insectos, Centro de Investigación Científica y de Transferencia Tecnológica a la Producción (CONICET-Prov. Entre Rios-Uader), Diamante, Argentina.,Facultad de Ingenieria, Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos, Concepción del Uruguay, Entre Rios, Argentina
| | - Jorge Molina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Tropical (CIMPAT), Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia.
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15
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von Hoermann C, Weithmann S, Deißler M, Ayasse M, Steiger S. Forest habitat parameters influence abundance and diversity of cadaver-visiting dung beetles in Central Europe. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2020; 7:191722. [PMID: 32269801 PMCID: PMC7137943 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.191722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Dung beetles provide crucial ecosystem services and serve as model organisms for various behavioural, ecological and evolutionary studies. However, dung beetles have received little attention as consumers of large cadavers. In this study, we trapped copronecrophagous dung beetles on above-ground exposed piglet cadavers in 61 forest plots distributed over three geographically distinct regions in Germany, Central Europe. We examined the effects of land use intensity, forest stand, soil characteristics, vascular plant diversity and climatic conditions on dung beetle abundance, species richness and diversity. In all three regions, dung beetles, represented mainly by the geotrupid species Anoplotrupes stercorosus and Trypocopris vernalis, were attracted to the cadavers. High beetle abundance was associated with higher mean ambient temperature. Furthermore, A. stercorosus and T. vernalis were more abundant in areas where soil contained higher proportions of fine sand. Additionally, an increased proportion of forest understorey vegetation and vascular plant diversity positively affected the species richness and diversity of dung beetles. Thus, even in warm dry monocultured forest stands exploited for timber, we found thriving dung beetle populations when a diverse understorey was present. Therefore, forestry practices that preserve the understorey can sustain stable dung beetle populations and ensure their important contribution to nutrient cycles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian von Hoermann
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Management, University of Freiburg, Tennenbacher Str. 4, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
- Department of Visitor Management and National Park Monitoring, Bavarian Forest National Park, Freyunger Str. 2, 94481 Grafenau, Germany
| | - Sandra Weithmann
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein Allee 11, 89069 Ulm, Germany
| | - Markus Deißler
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein Allee 11, 89069 Ulm, Germany
| | - Manfred Ayasse
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein Allee 11, 89069 Ulm, Germany
| | - Sandra Steiger
- Department of Evolutionary Animal Ecology, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstraße 30, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany
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16
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Aerobic microbe community and necrophagous insects associated with decomposition of pig carrion poisoned with lead. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2020; 42:101638. [DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2019.101638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2017] [Revised: 09/11/2019] [Accepted: 09/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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17
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Bajerski F, Bürger A, Glasmacher B, Keller ERJ, Müller K, Mühldorfer K, Nagel M, Rüdel H, Müller T, Schenkel J, Overmann J. Factors determining microbial colonization of liquid nitrogen storage tanks used for archiving biological samples. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2019; 104:131-144. [PMID: 31781817 PMCID: PMC6942587 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-019-10242-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2019] [Revised: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The availability of bioresources is a precondition for life science research, medical applications, and diagnostics, but requires a dedicated quality management to guarantee reliable and safe storage. Anecdotal reports of bacterial isolates and sample contamination indicate that organisms may persist in liquid nitrogen (LN) storage tanks. To evaluate the safety status of cryocollections, we systematically screened organisms in the LN phase and in ice layers covering inner surfaces of storage tanks maintained in different biobanking facilities. We applied a culture-independent approach combining cell detection by epifluorescence microscopy with the amplification of group-specific marker genes and high-throughput sequencing of bacterial ribosomal genes. In the LN phase, neither cells nor bacterial 16S rRNA gene copy numbers were detectable (detection limit, 102 cells per ml, 103 gene copies per ml). In several cases, small numbers of bacteria of up to 104 cells per ml and up to 106 gene copies per ml, as well as Mycoplasma, or fungi were detected in the ice phase formed underneath the lids or accumulated at the bottom. The bacteria most likely originated from the stored materials themselves (Elizabethingia, Janthibacterium), the technical environment (Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Methylobacterium), or the human microbiome (Bacteroides, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus). In single cases, bacteria, Mycoplasma, fungi, and human cells were detected in the debris at the bottom of the storage tanks. In conclusion, the limited microbial load of the ice phase and in the debris of storage tanks can be effectively avoided by minimizing ice formation and by employing hermetically sealed sample containers.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Bajerski
- Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Inhoffenstraße 7B, Braunschweig, Germany.
| | - A Bürger
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Institute of Developmental Genetics, München, Germany
| | - B Glasmacher
- Institute for Multiphase Processes, Leibniz University Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - E R J Keller
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Seeland, OT Gatersleben, Germany
| | - K Müller
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (Leibniz-IZW), Berlin, Germany
| | - K Mühldorfer
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (Leibniz-IZW), Berlin, Germany
| | - M Nagel
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Seeland, OT Gatersleben, Germany
| | - H Rüdel
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Schmallenberg, Germany
| | | | - J Schenkel
- German Cancer Research Centre, Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - J Overmann
- Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Inhoffenstraße 7B, Braunschweig, Germany
- Microbiology, Braunschweig University of Technology, Braunschweig, Germany
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18
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Cernosek T, Eckert KE, Carter DO, Perrault KA. Volatile Organic Compound Profiling from Postmortem Microbes using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. J Forensic Sci 2019; 65:134-143. [PMID: 31479524 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.14173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Revised: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are by-products of cadaveric decomposition and are responsible for the odor associated with decomposing remains. The direct link between VOC production and individual postmortem microbes has not been well characterized experimentally. The purpose of this study was to profile VOCs released from three postmortem bacterial isolates (Bacillus subtilis, Ignatzschineria indica, I. ureiclastica) using solid-phase microextraction arrow (SPME Arrow) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Species were inoculated in headspace vials on Standard Nutrient Agar and monitored over 5 days at 24°C. Each species exhibited a different VOC profile that included common decomposition VOCs. VOCs exhibited upward or downward temporal trends over time. Ignatzschineria indica produced a large amount of dimethyldisulfide. Other compounds of interest included alcohols, aldehydes, aromatics, and ketones. This provides foundational data to link decomposition odor with specific postmortem microbes to improve understanding of underlying mechanisms for decomposition VOC production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terezie Cernosek
- Laboratory of Forensic and Bioanalytical Chemistry, Forensic Sciences Unit, Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Chaminade University of Honolulu, 3140 Waialae Avenue, Honolulu, HI
| | - Kevin E Eckert
- Laboratory of Forensic and Bioanalytical Chemistry, Forensic Sciences Unit, Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Chaminade University of Honolulu, 3140 Waialae Avenue, Honolulu, HI
| | - David O Carter
- Laboratory of Forensic Taphonomy, Forensic Sciences Unit, Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Chaminade University of Honolulu, 3140 Waialae Avenue, Honolulu, HI
| | - Katelynn A Perrault
- Laboratory of Forensic and Bioanalytical Chemistry, Forensic Sciences Unit, Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Chaminade University of Honolulu, 3140 Waialae Avenue, Honolulu, HI
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19
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Tuccia F, Zurgani E, Bortolini S, Vanin S. Experimental evaluation on the applicability of necrobiome analysis in forensic veterinary science. Microbiologyopen 2019; 8:e00828. [PMID: 30861327 PMCID: PMC6741123 DOI: 10.1002/mbo3.828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2018] [Revised: 02/05/2019] [Accepted: 02/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the wide usage of animals as models in forensic studies, the investigations of fundamental legal questions involving domesticated and nondomesticated animals were always given marginal attention compared to “human forensic,” and only recently the interest in the discipline is increasing. Our research focuses on the effect of the fur coat on the activity and development of microbial decomposers. In order to test this variable never assessed before, rabbit carcasses were used and results show that: (i) distinct and significant temporal changes in terms of metabolic activity and taxa distribution can be tracked over the decomposition process; (ii) the richness and the diversity of the bacterial communities does not significantly vary over time, but it does not mean that the species Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) do not change; (iii) the presence/absence of the fur on the carcasses does not significantly affect either the bacterial communities’ functional activity or the diversity intra‐ and intercommunity, neither at phylum nor at family resolution; (iv) the functional activity and the ecological diversity of the bacterial communities are significantly affected by the body region, while the relative abundance is not. Obtained data confirm previous observations and provide new insight in the Forensic Veterinary field in terms of equally using them in order to derive a statistical model for the PMI estimation. As a future perspective, a contribution to the Forensic Entomology approach will be given in legal investigations when domestic or wild animals are involved, regardless of the presence of a hair layer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiola Tuccia
- Department of Biological and Geographical Sciences, School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, United Kingdom.,Gruppo Italiano per l'Entomologia Forense (GIEF), Italy
| | - Emad Zurgani
- Department of Biological and Geographical Sciences, School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, United Kingdom
| | - Sara Bortolini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy.,Gruppo Italiano per l'Entomologia Forense (GIEF), Italy
| | - Stefano Vanin
- Department of Biological and Geographical Sciences, School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, United Kingdom.,Gruppo Italiano per l'Entomologia Forense (GIEF), Italy
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20
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Dibner H, Mangca Valdez C, Carter DO. An Experiment to Characterize the Decomposer Community Associated with Carcasses (
Sus scrofa domesticus
) on Oahu, Hawaii. J Forensic Sci 2019; 64:1412-1420. [DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.14009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2018] [Revised: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Dibner
- Laboratory of Forensic Taphonomy Forensic Sciences Unit Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Chaminade University of Honolulu Honolulu HI 96816
- SNA International, supporting Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency Laboratory Joint Base Pearl Harbor‐Hickam Honolulu HI 96853
| | - Chelsie Mangca Valdez
- Laboratory of Forensic Taphonomy Forensic Sciences Unit Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Chaminade University of Honolulu Honolulu HI 96816
- Division of Social Sciences University of Hawaii – West Oahu Kapolei HI 96707
| | - David O. Carter
- Laboratory of Forensic Taphonomy Forensic Sciences Unit Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Chaminade University of Honolulu Honolulu HI 96816
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21
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Javan GT, Finley SJ, Tuomisto S, Hall A, Benbow ME, Mills D. An interdisciplinary review of the thanatomicrobiome in human decomposition. Forensic Sci Med Pathol 2018; 15:75-83. [PMID: 30519986 DOI: 10.1007/s12024-018-0061-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Death does not occur instantaneously and organs do not decompose at the same rate or in the same way. Nulligravid human uteri and prostate glands are the last internal organs to deteriorate during decomposition; however, the reason for this very important observation is still enigmatic. Recent studies have elucidated that the composition and abundance of microbes in the human thanatomicrobiome (microbiome of death) varies by organ and changes as a function of time and temperature. The ileocecal area has the largest absolute postmortem burden that spreads to the liver and spleen and continues to the heart and brain depending on the cause of death. To truly understand the mechanisms of microbial assembly during decomposition, a thorough examination of different strategies utilized by the trillions of microbes that colonize decaying tissues is needed from a multi-organ and multidisciplinary approach. In this review, we highlight interdisciplinary research and provide an overview of human decomposition investigations of thanatomicrobiomic changes in internal organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gulnaz T Javan
- Physical Sciences Department, Forensic Science Program, Alabama State University, 915 S. Jackson St., Hatch Hall Building Room 251, Montgomery, AL, 36104, USA.
| | - Sheree J Finley
- Physical Sciences Department, Forensic Science Program, Alabama State University, 915 S. Jackson St., Hatch Hall Building Room 251, Montgomery, AL, 36104, USA
| | - Sari Tuomisto
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Ashley Hall
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - M Eric Benbow
- Department of Entomology and Department of Osteopathic Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - DeEtta Mills
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
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22
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Trimethylamine in postmortem tissues as a predictor of postmortem interval estimation using the GC method. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2018; 35:80-85. [DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2018.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2018] [Revised: 08/21/2018] [Accepted: 09/22/2018] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
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23
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Rendine M, Fiore C, Bertozzi G, De Carlo D, Filetti V, Fortarezza P, Riezzo I. Decomposing Human Blood: Canine Detection Odor Signature and Volatile Organic Compounds. J Forensic Sci 2018; 64:587-592. [DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.13901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2018] [Revised: 07/16/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Marcello Rendine
- Section of Legal Medicine Azienda Ospedaliero – Universitaria “Ospedali Riuniti” of Foggia Ospedale Colonnello D'Avanzo Viale degli Aviatori 1 71100 Foggia Italy
| | - Carmela Fiore
- Section of Forensic Toxicology Ospedale G. Tatarella Via Trinitapoli 71042 Cerignola (FG) Italy
| | - Giuseppe Bertozzi
- Section of Legal Medicine Azienda Ospedaliero – Universitaria “Ospedali Riuniti” of Foggia Ospedale Colonnello D'Avanzo Viale degli Aviatori 1 71100 Foggia Italy
| | - Dania De Carlo
- Section of Legal Medicine Azienda Ospedaliero – Universitaria “Ospedali Riuniti” of Foggia Ospedale Colonnello D'Avanzo Viale degli Aviatori 1 71100 Foggia Italy
| | - Vera Filetti
- Anatomy and Histology Department of Biomedical Sciences and Biotechnologies University of Catania Via Santa Sofia 78 95123 Catania Sicily Italy
| | - Palmira Fortarezza
- Section of Forensic Toxicology Ospedale G. Tatarella Via Trinitapoli 71042 Cerignola (FG) Italy
| | - Irene Riezzo
- Section of Legal Medicine Azienda Ospedaliero – Universitaria “Ospedali Riuniti” of Foggia Ospedale Colonnello D'Avanzo Viale degli Aviatori 1 71100 Foggia Italy
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