Berrocales Vázquez, Katiushka Paola

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    Detection and characterization of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria in stormwater from Quebrada del Oro at Mayagüez
    (2024-05-10) Berrocales Vázquez, Katiushka Paola; Cafaro, Matías J.; College of Arts and Sciences - Sciences; Díaz Lameiro, Alondra M.; De Jesús, Marco A.; Department of Biology; Rodríguez Ramos, Ingrid
    Rainwater is considered an alternative water source to mitigate the increase in water de- mand; however, due to the impact of climate change, plastic pollution and substances such as per and polyfluoroalkyl affect its quality. Likewise, runoffs reach the surface water providing greater biodiversity that can change its composition. However, this water transports a diversity of micro- organisms that can in turn adhere to different substrates like sediment particules, stones, and structures made by humans. Some microorganisms, such as members of the Enterobacteriaceae family, are commonly used as indicators of fecal contamination in surface waters. In this study, we evalu- ated the detection and quantification of Coliforms, Enterococci, Staphylococci and Actinobacteria from stormwater in Quebrada del Oro stream in Mayagüez. Water was collected in sterile bags at four sampling points across the slope near the UPRM Chemistry Building before reaching the stream and directly from the stream. Samples were plated in Tryptic Soy Agar (TSA) media and incubated at 37°C for 24-48 hours. Plate counting was performed to determine CFU/ml of water. We identified isolates from both runoff rainwater and Quebrada de Oro stream. Then, DNA extraction was performed using a microbiome DNA purification kit for q-PCR analysis. Isolates from both water samples presented Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Rapid Colilert kit anal- ysis detected the presence of E. coli in runoff water. In the Quebrada del Oro stream we also de- tected coliform bacteria. Coliforms in both samples of rainy days(stream and runoff) were higher than the other groups. Enterococci was the predominant group in the samples of drys days. Enter- obacteriaceae and Enterococci members are distinguished for being indicators of fecal contamina- tion in bodies of water such as rivers, streams and beaches.