Quantification of Bacillus cereus and Burkholderia cepacia within soil by real time polymerase chain reaction

Abstract

During the investigation of arson cases, soil samples are often acquired to analyze ignitable residues. Soil samples are often placed in storage until analysis can be conducted. During this period, samples are often degraded by microorganisms. Many microorganisms have been indicated in the biodegradation of ignitable residues. Two ubiquitous soil bacteria, Burkholderia cepacia and Bacillus cereus, are both known to biodegrade ignitable residues. Three soil types commonly analyzed in arson cases, agricultural, industrial, and residential, were screened by Real-Time PCR to quantify B. cepacia and B. cereus populations. B. cereus occurred in higher levels than B. cepacia in all soil types. Industrial soil had the highest concentration of both species indicating a higher probability of ignitable residues being biodegraded. Understanding of bacterial populations in soil is necessary to develop strategies to prevent the biodegradation of ignitable residues during the storage of arson soil samples.