The musty odorant (2-methylisoborneol, MIB) is prevalent in source water reservoirs and has become one of the major challenges for …

Cellular 2-methylisoborneol (MIB) yield of cyanobacteria varies under different conditions according to culture studies and field …

Cyanobacteria can sense different light color by adjusting the components of photosynthetic pigments including chlorophyll a (Chl a) , …

In this study, a MIB episode in a low-latitude drinking water reservoir was investigated. Filamentous cyanobacteria strain Planktothricoides raciborskii was isolated and identified as the main MIB producer in this reservoir. Based on the culturing experiments and in-situ verification, the physiological characteristics of P. raciborskii was explored, and the following conclusions can be drawn: (1) P. raciborskii could grow under a low nutrient condition (TN: 800 μg L$^{-1}$, TP: 10 μg L$^{-1}$), but favored moderate light intensity (54 μmol photon m$^{−2}$⋅s$^{−1}$) and high tempera- ture (30 °C); (2) The long period of high temperature might have inhibited the growth of the bloom-forming Limnothrix and Aphanizomenon, creating the opportunity for the continuous growth of P. raciborskii. (3) The MIB synthesis and extracellular release could be enhanced by high light and temperature, posing a greater risk to water plants in low latitude regions.

Regarding the frequently observed odor problem caused by MIB in source water, the qPCR-based method can be used for rapid screening diagnosis. The mic gene is the premise for MIB synthesis, while the nucleotide base sequences are different among different MIB-producing strains. Published primer sets failed to amplify some mic gene sequences, especially several newly isolated strains, hence we designed a new primer set (MIBQSF/R) that works for all mic genes. The updated qPCR method was validated using pure culture collections and environmental samples collected from 9 reservoirs/lakes across China. This method offers a tool to evaluate MIB-producing potential and assess the risk of MIB occurrence in source water.

Odor problems in source water caused by 2-methylisoborneol (MIB) have been a common issue in China recently, posing a high risk to …

Identification of MIB(2-methylisoborneol)-producing cyanobacteria in source water has been a big challenge for reservoir authorities …