Assessment of Bacterial Communities in Water Samples from Mangrove Absorbed via COVID-19 Antigen Test Kits Using Next-Generation Sequencing Technology

Kanyanat Siriphompisan; Natchanan Baowkum; Parichat Ampuch; Monnicha Wongputorn; Patarapong Kroeksakul; Thaninatphasit Sangpakdee; Wirongrong Duangjai; Phruet Racharak; Praepilai Mittrarath; Arin Ngamniyom

Authors

Kanyanat Siriphompisan Department of Environment and Resources, Faculty of Environmental Culture and Eco-tourism, Srinakharinwirot University.
Natchanan Baowkum Department of Environment and Resources, Faculty of Environmental Culture and Eco-tourism, Srinakharinwirot University.
Parichat Ampuch Department of Environment and Resources, Faculty of Environmental Culture and Eco-tourism, Srinakharinwirot University.
Monnicha Wongputorn Department of Environment and Resources, Faculty of Environmental Culture and Eco-tourism, Srinakharinwirot University.
Patarapong Kroeksakul Department of Environment and Resources, Faculty of Environmental Culture and Eco-tourism, Srinakharinwirot University.
Thaninatphasit Sangpakdee Department of Environment and Resources, Faculty of Environmental Culture and Eco-tourism, Srinakharinwirot University.
Wirongrong Duangjai Department of Silviculture, Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University.
Phruet Racharak Department of Forest Biology, Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University.
Praepilai Mittrarath Department of Environment and Resources, Faculty of Environmental Culture and Eco-tourism, Srinakharinwirot University.
Arin Ngamniyom Department of Environment and Resources, Faculty of Environmental Culture and Eco-tourism, Srinakharinwirot University.

Keywords:

V3-4, microbes, mangrove forest, brackish water, wetland ecosystems

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the bacterial communities in water samples from mangroves absorbed via COVID-19 antigen test kits and next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology. The locality considered for water sampling was the mangrove area in Samut Prakan Province, which exhibits a high biodiversity of microorganisms. The water samples were absorbed using a COVID-19 antigen test kit. Total genomic DNA was extracted from the test strips of the test kit (Group A) and directly from the water samples (Group B as the control) using a DNA extraction Kit. Bacterial sequencing analysis targeting the V3-V4 hypervariable regions of the 16S rRNA gene was conducted using NGS. A substantial overlap in operational taxonomic units (OTUs) was observed, with 7,140 OTUs shared between the two groups. Specifically, 867 OTUs were exclusive to Group A, whereas 1,148 OTUs were unique to Group B. At the phylum level, Group A was dominated by Proteobacteria. The abundance of Bacteroidota was high in Group B. At the genus level, bacterial PLTA13 was abundant in Group A, whereas bacterial SBR1031 and A4b were predominant in Group B. Regarding alpha diversity, there was a significant difference in the Shannon diversity index between groups (p < 0.05). The results revealed slight differences in some bacterial community compositions and one diversity index when comparing the absorbed test strips with the direct samples. This study elucidated the core bacterial microbiomes of mangroves, based on samples collected using two different techniques. Moreover, it provides important data for the further adaptation and optimisation of microbial analysis techniques in aquatic environments.

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