Assessment of Microbial Diversity in Saudi Springs by Culture-Dependent and Culture-Independent Methods

Culture-dependent and culture-independent methods were used to evaluate the microbial diversity in two hot springs of the Aljouf region in Saudi Arabia, including Qasr Kaff and Ain Hawas. Physicochemical characteristics of the springs were examined to establish their effect on the biodiversity of thermophilic bacteria and fungi. We employed culture-dependent techniques to study microbial diversity using four different complex media for bacteria and fungi. In addition, the direct count for algal populations from two springs was investigated. We surveyed the microbial diversity in water and sediment samples from both springs by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and clone library construction. Bacillariophycaea (18 species) was the most diverse group, followed by Cyanophyceaea. Bacterial isolates closer to the genera Bacillus spp., Geobacillus, Thermoactinomyces, and unidentified actinobacteria were recovered. Fungal isolates were related to Aspergillus, Pezizaceae, Penicillium, Acremonium, Fusarium, Chrysosporium, and Stachybotrys. Using molecular-based techniques, the results were slightly different from those obtained by culture-dependent methods, and more genera were obtained. However, most genera were uncultured microbes, particularly from bacterial communities.