BIOSCHAMP & the analysis on casing materials by IRNASA CSIC

During the BIOSCHAMP Project, the Institute of Natural Resources and Agrobiology of Salamanca (IRNASA-CSIC) is in charge of carrying out the quantitative analysis of microbial population and structure of substrate and casing materials (peat-free casing soil as carrier of selected microbiota with biostimulant and biocontrol activity) along the mushroom cultivation cycle through the analysis of the Phospholipid Fatty Acid (PLFAs) content of the microbial groups.

(…) Phospholipid fatty acid analysis (PLFA) is used to quantify total viable biomass and provide a general profile of the microbial community. Phospholipid fatty acids are a main component of the cell membrane (“the skin”) of all microbes.

Microbial Insights, more info here

All in all, the work of IRNASA-CSIC will contribute to the development of diagnostic tools to track biostimulants in casings.

The analysis process of IRNASA CSIC

Currently, IRNASA-CSIC is following the steps bellow to analyse qualitatively the composition and dynamics of the alternative casing microbiome along the process of cultivation:

First, lyophilized samples are extracted by sonication, and then extracts are purified by SPE and polar lipids are transesterified. Here, the resultant fatty acid methyl esters are analysed and quantified by gas chromatography (Gas Chromatograph-GC equipped with a flame ionization detector-FID).
Secondly, PLFAs are identified using bacterial fatty acid standards and software from the microbial Identification System (Microbial ID) – specific PLFAs are used as biomarkers to quantify the relative abundance of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, Actinobacteria and fungi.
In the last place, statistical analysis of total biomass of bacteria and fungi determined by PLFAs is performed to determine significant differences between samples, and a Principal Components Analysis (PCA) is also performed to compare PLFAs composition in substrate and casing samples.

About IRNASA -CSIC

The Institute of Natural Resources and Agrobiology of Salamanca (IRNASA) is a CSIC research centre. Its work focuses on the study of agricultural crops and their products, and the environmental conservation and health of livestock. It uses the studies of biology, pathology, soil chemistry and ecology to provide scientific solutions for the maintenance of agricultural systems of semi-arid areas.

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Marga Pérez: direccion@ctich.com
Jaime Carrasco: j.carrasco@ctich.com

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No. 101000651.

Contact points

Marga Pérez: direccion@ctich.com
Jaime Carrasco: j.carrasco@ctich.com