New method for the characterization of the microbial growth in carrageenan gel

Abstract

A method for the analysis of distributed growth of E. coli in k-carrageenan gel is described. The method iises optical and electron microscopy to determine morphometric data of cell microcolonies in the gel, such as average microcolony volume, distance of microcolonies to gel surface and cell density in the microcolonies. Logarithmic equations describing the distribution of authentic values of volunie occupied by cells in gels at different times of incubation mere determined. With these equations it is possible to predict the quantitative distribution of cells in the gel and to define some parameters. These parameters can characterize the growth behaviour of the microbial strains in any particular culture condition and can be useful in the future search to improve the industrial applications of immobilized cells.