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Quantitation of microbial growth on surfaces

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Abstract

An equation describing the initial phases of microbial surface colonization is presented. Simultaneous microbial attachment and growth are considered as the primary components of colonization. A table is given that permits determination of growth rate from the density and distribution of cells present on surfaces after incubation in situ. Other methods used to calculate microbial growth rate on surfaces are evaluated. The new procedure is more accurate and less time consuming than those used previously. Published data on microbial surface colonization more closely follow the proposed colonization equation than the exponential growth equation, which overestimates the growth rate.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, 87131, Albuquerque, New Mexico

    Douglas E. Caldwell & Daniel K. Brannan

  2. Applied Biology and Isotope Utilization Division, Division 4535, Sandia National Laboratories, 87185, Albuquerque, New Mexico

    Marvin E. Morris

  3. Extraterrestrial Research Division, NASA Ames Research Center, 94035, Moffett Field, California

    Michael R. Betlach

Authors
  1. Douglas E. Caldwell
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  2. Daniel K. Brannan
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  3. Marvin E. Morris
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  4. Michael R. Betlach
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Caldwell, D.E., Brannan, D.K., Morris, M.E. et al. Quantitation of microbial growth on surfaces. Microb Ecol 7, 1–11 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02010473

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02010473

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