ISSN:
0006-3592
Keywords:
Chemistry
;
Biochemistry and Biotechnology
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Nutrition Technology
Notes:
A number of improvements have been made in a totally-automated antibiotic bioassay machine previously described. The new machine accepts unmeasured, untreated, opaque suspensions of fermentation beers three times faster (120 samples per hour) and supplies printed potencies sooner (in just over two hours). Whereas the original machine employed a self-cleaning filter and used disposable two milliliter beakers, this version involves a batch-dialysis scheme for effecting sample purification, and provides for automated cleaning of incubation chambers.In operation, a measured, portion of thoroughly-mixed fermentation beer is automatically diluted and transferred into one side of an incubation chamber, the two halves of which are separated by a dialysis membrane. The other half is filled with inoculated media. During the two hour incubation at 37°, dialyzable antibiotic limits growth of the inoculum in proportion to its concentration. After incubation, the turbidity of the inoculum is simultaneously read by an online computer and plotted on a strip chart recorded. The computer suplies printed potency values and sample identification on site, while the recording provides the operator with an analog record of turbidity. Fiber optics are employed in the turbidmetric readout, and an electric typewrite provides the printout.
Additional Material:
18 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/bit.260110522
