Application of inhibitors in research of ammonia oxidizing microorganisms

Abstract:

A variety of inhibitors are commonly used in related research on ammonia-oxidizing microorganisms, including inhibitors for nitrification and inhibitors against microbial growth. Since the discovery of ammonia-oxidizing archaea, researchers have re-screened different inhibitors to meet the needs of the study of ammonia oxidizing microorganisms. Inhibitors both accelerate the enrichment of archaea, and help researchers to distinguish between archaea and bacteria for their contribution to nitrification and their own anabolic potential. In this paper, the concentrations and inhibitory effects of various inhibitors were reviewed, including traditional inhibitors, like dicyandiamide, 3,4-dimethylpyridine phosphate, and allylthiourea; alkyne inhibitors such as 1-octyne; nitric oxide scavengers and antibiotics. These inhibitors are specific or versatile in their ability to inhibit the activity and growth of ammonia-oxidizing microorganisms. By summarizing these inhibitors, we hope to provide a reference for the choice of inhibitor in the research of ammonia oxidizing microorganisms.