Prokaryotic community analysis with CARD-FISH in comparison with FISH in ultra-oligotrophic ground- and drinking water

Aims: We compared the applicability of catalysed reporter deposition fluorescence in situ hybridization (CARD-FISH) and FISH to enumerate prokaryotic populations in ultra-oligotrophic alpine groundwaters and bottled mineral water Methods and Results: Fluorescent oligonucleotide probes EUB338 and EUB338mix (EUB338 ⁄ EUB338-II ⁄ EUB338-III) were used to enumerate bacteria and probes EURY806 and CREN537 for Euryarchaea and Crenarchaea, respectively. Improved detection of Planctomycetales by probe EUB338-II was tested using a different permeabilization step (proteinase K instead of lysozyme). Total detection efficiency of cells in spring water of four different alpine karst aquifers was on average 83% for CARD-FISH and only 15% for FISH. Applying CARD-FISH on bottled natural mineral waters resulted in an average total hybridization efficiency of 89%, with 78% (range 77–96%) bacteria and 11% (range 3–22%) identified as Archaea. Conclusions: CARD-FISH resulted in substantially higher recovery efficiency than FISH. Hence, CARD-FISH appears very suitable for the enumeration of specific prokaryotic groups in ground- and drinking water. Significance and Impact of the Study: This study represents the first evaluation of CARD-FISH on ultra-oligotrophic ground- and drinking water. Results are relevant for basic research and drinking water distributors. Archaea can comprise a significant fraction of the prokaryotic community in bottled mineral water.