The role of Actinobacteria in taste and odour episodes involving geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol in aquatic environments

Abstract

Research Article| August 26 2013 The role of Actinobacteria in taste and odour episodes involving geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol in aquatic environments Elise Anne Asquith; Elise Anne Asquith 1School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia E-mail: [e-mail] Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar Craig Andrew Evans; Craig Andrew Evans 1School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar Phillip Milton Geary; Phillip Milton Geary 1School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar Richard Hugh Dunstan; Richard Hugh Dunstan 1School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar Bruce Cole Bruce Cole 2Hunter Water Corporation, 36 Honeysuckle Drive, Newcastle, NSW 2300, Australia Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar Journal of Water Supply: Research and Technology-Aqua (2013) 62 (7): 452–467. https://doi.org/10.2166/aqua.2013.055 Article history Received: March 10 2013 Accepted: July 11 2013 Views Icon Views Article contents Figures & tables Video Audio Supplementary Data Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Tools Icon Tools Cite Icon Cite Permissions Search Site Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentAll JournalsThis Journal Search Advanced Search Citation Elise Anne Asquith, Craig Andrew Evans, Phillip Milton Geary, Richard Hugh Dunstan, Bruce Cole; The role of Actinobacteria in taste and odour episodes involving geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol in aquatic environments. Journal of Water Supply: Research and Technology-Aqua 1 November 2013; 62 (7): 452–467. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/aqua.2013.055 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex The secondary metabolites geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol (2-MIB) provide soil with its characteristic earthy-musty odour, being notably produced by the abundant spore-forming filamentous bacterial genus Streptomyces, among other Actinobacteria. Taste and odour (T&O) problems attributed to these compounds affect drinking water supplies worldwide, often occurring sporadically and untraced to their biological origins. A number of prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms are recognised geosmin and 2-MIB producers in aquatic environments. However, the focus of this paper is to assess the potential contribution of Actinobacteria to this water quality issue. To date, the aquatic ecology of these bacteria remains poorly understood and debate surrounds whether they exist solely as dormant spores of terrestrial origin or are capable of growing and biosynthesising these odourous compounds in aquatic environments. The Actinobacteria which are known to produce geosmin and 2-MIB are identified and a critical assessment of habitats within aquatic environments in which they may be metabolically active residents and thus potential sources of T&O is provided. Current understandings of the chemical ecology and biosynthetic pathways of geosmin and 2-MIB, as well as the conditions under which these secondary metabolites are produced by Streptomyces, are reviewed. Actinobacteria, geosmin, odour, Streptomyces, taste, 2-methylisoborneol This content is only available as a PDF. © IWA Publishing 2013 You do not currently have access to this content.