Pulsed field gel electrophoresis was used for estimating the size of the genome and evaluating the presence of megaplasmids in 13 native Colombian solventogenic
Clostridium
strains. DNA preparation and purification were optimised for obtaining differentiated restriction fragments in electrophoresis. Genomic DNA was digested with
ApaI, Eco52I, SmaI and
XhoI enzymes. Estimated genome size for native strains ranged from 4.0 to 4.2 mega base pairs. Larger sized plasmids were detected and the presence of genes related to megaplasmid pSOL1 was determined by polymerase chain reaction.
adc gene region amplification suggested that genes related to solventogenesis in native strains may be located in an extra-chromosomal element. Determining genome size provides useful information aimed at enhancing native strains' solvent production.
