Aims: To develop a rapid and simple multicolour digital image analysis system for simultaneous identification of bacteria and assessment of their metabolic activity.
Methods and Results:We developed an image analyser capable of distinguishing triple-stained bacterial cells. Bacteria were stained with a nucleic acid stain, a fluorescent antibody and a fluorescent metabolic indicator for enumeration, species identification and assessment of metabolic activity. This multicolour image analyser was used to simultaneously identify Escherichia coli O157:H7 in milk samples and assess their respiratory activity. The images of the triple-stained bacteria were captured using a combination of blue light and u.v. excitation and an epifluorescence microscope and were processed by our image analyser. We found a good correlation between the counts of actively respiring (r ¼ 0AE93) and total (r ¼ 0AE94) E. coli O157:H7 measured by digital image analysis and visual observation.
Conclusion:The multicolour digital image analysis system described here was able to quantify active pathogenic micro-organisms within 2 h. Significance and Impact of the Study: This multicolour image analysis allows the rapid and simultaneous quantification of bacteria, identification of species and assessment of metabolic activity.
LiFePO 4 has been synthesized using FeC 2 O 4 ெ2H 2 O, LiOHெH 2 O and NH 4 H 2 PO 4 as raw materials by a temperature controllable microwave heating oven. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope and electrochemical methods. Measurement of dielectric properties of individual raw materials and products at a constant microwave frequency revealed that the starting mixture preheated at 320? C as well as added acetylene black were well microwave absorbers. Single phase olivin-type LiFePO 4 with uniform and fine particle sizes was successfully synthesized by microwave heating at 350? C in 15 min. The LiFePO 4 cathode materials thus obtained had a higher discharge capacity and better cycle performance than those of the LiFePO 4 sample by a conventional solid-state reaction.
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