Application of bacterial predation to mitigate recombinant bacterial populations and their DNA

► More than 7-log reduction in prey and 2-log in gene concentrations in aqueous tests. ► Presence of soil inhibited predation and DNA removal in dose-dependent manner. ► Fluorescence microscopy confirmed recombinant population reduction in soil tests. ► Reduction of recombinant plasmids and genes assayed by transformations and RT-qPCR. ► Predation by Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus under anaerobic conditions with nitrate.