Factors affecting the survival of genetically engineered Escherichia coli bearing a plasmid in a paddy field microcosm

Abstract

In order to clarify some of the factors affecting the survival of a genetically engineered Escherichia coli (g‐E. coli) bearing a plasmid in a paddy field microcosm and its parent E. coli (p‐E. coli), we focused on protozoa and the metabolites of indigenous bacteria.

It was found that both g‐E. coli and p‐E. coli decreased remarkably in a microcosm with protozoa but not so in that without protozoa. The populations of both g‐E. coli and p‐E. coli decreased much more in the metabolites of indigenous bacteria than in those of their respective metabolites. Therefore, the metabolites of indigenous bacteria as well as protozoa are factors affecting the decreases of both g‐E. coli and p‐E. coli in a paddy field microcosm.

Keywords:

• Genetically engineered Escherichia coli
• metabolites
• indigenous bacteria
• protozoa