The Development and Application of a Quantitative Molecular Tool for Sulphate- Reducing Bacteria

Sulphate reducing bacteria (SRB’s) are associated with deleterious effects in a range of
industries, including metal corrosion, the production of toxic hydrogen sulphide (H2S) and
reduced efficiency of microbial systems. They contribute to billions of dollars of direct losses
per annum in pipeline industries and at the other end of the spectrum, their competitive
interactions with other microbial communities can significantly reduce the biogas output of
anaerobic digestion plants, in addition to being associated with unpleasant odours associated
with digestates used as biofertilsers. The routine method of monitoring SRB levels involves
standard microbiological approaches but the results often take up to 4 weeks to be generated.
This Proof of Market study will assess the opportunities for a rapid, highly sensitive
molecular diagnostic for SRB’s and other associated microbial contaminants. Focus will be on
industries where careful and rapid monitoring of SRB’s will add significant value (e.g. the
anaerobic digestion industry) and for which the proposed assay can act as a decision-support
tool in terms of specific SRB interventions, as opposed to non-specific biocide application.