A simple medium modification for isolation, growth and enumeration of Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans (syn. Thiobacillus thiooxidans) from water samples. 2013

Janeta Starosvetsky, and Udy Zukerman, and Robert H Armon
Faculty of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Department of Environmental, Water and Agricultural Engineering, Technion, 32000, Israel. starjean@tx.technion.ac.il

High concentrations of H(2)S in groundwater are commonly removed using Biological Trickling Filter (BTF) that contains high numbers of biofilm immobilized sulfur oxidizing bacteria (mainly Thiobacillus thiooxidans). BTF performance requires continuous monitoring of these bacteria at several sampling points. The Most Probable Number (MPN) technique is at the moment the method of choice to enumerate viable T. thiooxidan cells under the above conditions. However, this method is extremely time-consuming (7-10days) and not always suitable for environmental monitoring. In the present study, Thiobacillus agar recommended for isolation and cultivation of Thiobacillus species by Spread plate method was modified by addition of bromocresol green (BCG) in order obtain a clear-cut resolution of the growing colonies resulting in similar or higher numbers compared to other methods. Visual emergence of bacterial colonies on the 3rd and 4th days, from the initial plating, was associated with sulfuric acid production, resulting in an unambiguous color change from blue to yellow, around each colony. This study revealed that BCG modified Thiobacillus agar is substantially time saving and much easier to infer compared to MPN technique.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D001961 Bromcresol Green An indicator and reagent. It has been used in serum albumin determinations and as a pH indicator. Tetrabromocresolsulfonphthalein,Bromocresol Green,Green, Bromcresol,Green, Bromocresol
D002863 Chromogenic Compounds Colorless, endogenous or exogenous pigment precursors that may be transformed by biological mechanisms into colored compounds; used in biochemical assays and in diagnosis as indicators, especially in the form of enzyme substrates. Synonym: chromogens (not to be confused with pigment-synthesizing bacteria also called chromogens). Chromogenic Compound,Chromogenic Substrate,Chromogenic Substrates,Compound, Chromogenic,Compounds, Chromogenic,Substrate, Chromogenic,Substrates, Chromogenic
D003116 Color The visually perceived property of objects created by absorption or reflection of specific wavelengths of light. Colors
D003470 Culture Media Any liquid or solid preparation made specifically for the growth, storage, or transport of microorganisms or other types of cells. The variety of media that exist allow for the culturing of specific microorganisms and cell types, such as differential media, selective media, test media, and defined media. Solid media consist of liquid media that have been solidified with an agent such as AGAR or GELATIN. Media, Culture
D013856 Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans A strictly autotrophic species of bacteria that oxidizes sulfur and thiosulfate to sulfuric acid. It was formerly called Thiobacillus thiooxidans. Thiobacillus thiooxidans
D013997 Time Factors Elements of limited time intervals, contributing to particular results or situations. Time Series,Factor, Time,Time Factor
D014871 Water Microbiology The presence of bacteria, viruses, and fungi in water. This term is not restricted to pathogenic organisms. Microbiology, Water
D058491 Bacterial Load Measurable quantity of bacteria in an object, organism, or organism compartment. Bacterial Count,Bacterial Counts,Count, Bacterial,Counts, Bacterial,Bacterial Loads,Load, Bacterial,Loads, Bacterial

Related Publications

Janeta Starosvetsky, and Udy Zukerman, and Robert H Armon
May 1969, Journal of bacteriology,
Janeta Starosvetsky, and Udy Zukerman, and Robert H Armon
September 1966, Archives of biochemistry and biophysics,
Janeta Starosvetsky, and Udy Zukerman, and Robert H Armon
September 1964, Journal of bacteriology,
Janeta Starosvetsky, and Udy Zukerman, and Robert H Armon
January 1971, Archiv fur Mikrobiologie,
Janeta Starosvetsky, and Udy Zukerman, and Robert H Armon
March 1977, Archives of microbiology,
Janeta Starosvetsky, and Udy Zukerman, and Robert H Armon
October 1950, Journal of bacteriology,
Janeta Starosvetsky, and Udy Zukerman, and Robert H Armon
December 2013, Environmental geochemistry and health,
Janeta Starosvetsky, and Udy Zukerman, and Robert H Armon
March 2004, Bioresource technology,
Janeta Starosvetsky, and Udy Zukerman, and Robert H Armon
February 1977, Journal of biochemistry,
Copied contents to your clipboard!