DNA analysis of microbial contaminants in jet fuel

PETR 157

Lori M. Balster, Lori.Balster@wpafb.af.mil1, Sarah K. Chelgren, Sarah.Chelgren@wpafb.af.mil2, Ellen M. Strobel, Ellen.Strobel@wpafb.af.mil2, Marlin D. Vangsness, marlin.vangsness@wpafb.af.mil3, and Loryn Bowen1. (1) Energy & Environmental Engineering, University of Dayton Research Institute, 300 College Park, Dayton, OH 45469-0116, (2) Fuels, Air Force Research Laboratory/ PRTG, 1790 Loop Rd. North, Dayton, OH 45433, (3) Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Dayton Research Institute, 300 College Park, Dayton, OH 45469
Microbial contamination has plagued jet fuel for over forty years. When not properly controlled, microbial growth in jet fuel can lead to filter blockages, material corrosion, and structural failure in aircraft fuel tanks. Commercial aircraft are treated with biocides either as needed or on a scheduled basis while military aircraft rely on the antimicrobial properties of a fuel system icing inhibitor additive. Since biocides are by nature highly toxic to a broad range of animal life, developing an approach that specifically targets the families of microbes causing the infestation is desirable. The current study seeks to identify the microbes currently found in aircraft fuel systems, and future studies will elucidate how these organisms organize into a harmful biofilm-forming consortia. This presentation will discuss current analytical methods for determining the microbial consortia of recent jet fuel samples, focusing on the FTA (Fast Technique for Analysis) paper technique for storing DNA and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique for isolating DNA, followed by 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing for DNA identification.

 

Characterization, On-Line Monitoring, and Sensing of Petroleums and Petrochemicals
8:30 AM-11:30 AM, Thursday, 14 September 2006 Palace -- Marina Room, Oral

Division of Petroleum Chemistry

The 232nd ACS National Meeting, San Francisco, CA, September 10-14, 2006