Analysis of fermentation processes using flow microfluorometry: Single‐parameter observations of batch bacterial growth

Abstract

The laser flow microfluorometer (FMF) can determine the amounts of certain components in single cells at sample rates of several thousand cells per second. This technique has been employed to characterize Bacillus subtilis populations in batch fermentations with different inocula. Protein and nucleic acid distributions obtained by FMF analyses at different times during the batch have been decomposed using an optimized fit of summed subpopulation distributions. The results of these decomposition calculations, some of which have been approximately confirmed by independent microscopic observations, indicate that the relative numbers of single rods, cell chains, spores, and swollen rounded cells change dramatically during the entire fermentation including the stationary phase. The dynamics of these subpopulations may be related to secondary metabolite production.

Effects of immobilization on growth, fermentation properties, and macromolecular composition of Saccharomyces cerevisiae attached to gelatin

“…However, the experiments also focus strongly on biological questions, involving the monitoring of cell cycle behavior, cell morphology, and intracellular components such as RNA, protein, and polysaccharides. At the time of publication, the article played a role in illustrating the value to bioprocess engineering of the then relatively new technique of flow cytometry (Fazel-Madjlessi and Bailey, 1979).…”