TABLE 1.

PCR primers and PCR conditions used

Target group	PCR primer	Position in 16S rRNAa	Primer sequence (5′ → 3′)b	PCR conditions		Reference
				No. of cycles	Annealing temp (°C)
Bacteria	27F-(FAM)	8-27	AGAGTTTGATCMTGGCTCAG	35	48	31
	1378R	1378-1401	CGGTGTGTACAAGGCCCGGGAACG
Archaea	Arch915for	915-934	AGGAATTGGCGGGGGAGCAC	35	65	1
	UNI-b-rev	1390-1407	GACGGGCGGTGTGTRCAA			7
Pseudomonas	Ps-for	292-311	GGTCTGAGAGGATGATCAGT	40	65	52
	Ps-rev	1263-1280	TTAGCTCCACCTCGCGGC

^aEscherichia coli numbering.

^bR = A or G; M = A or C.