|
PLFA analysis is based
on the extraction of "signature" lipid biomarkers from the cell
membranes and walls of microorganisms. Organic solvents are used to
extract the lipids from cells, then the lipids are concentrated and
analyzed by GC/MS to identify individual lipids. Certain bacterial
groups make "signature" fatty acids, so a profile of the PLFA in a
sample can be used to characterize the microbial community according to
which fatty acids are found and in what concentrations. Below is an
example of the PLFA chromatogram from a typical soil sample and the
signature fatty acids that indicate the presence of particular broad
groups of organisms.
|
