Question 88 - In the calculation of the growth of bacteria, colony forming unit (CFU) in serial dilution is used. In a laboratory, viable count assay is used to estimate CFU. Formula applied is CFU / mL = (number of colonies x dilution) / (amount plated, in unit mL). Acceptable plate count is either between 20 and 200 or between 30 and 300 according to 2 different references. A wastewater sample of 200 ml is added to and mixed with 1.8 L of sterile water. Another 200 ml of the mixture is added to and mixed with 1.8 L of sterile water. (a) Calculate the dilution of first mixture and the dilution of the second mixture. (b) 100 microlitres of wastewater samples from the first mixture and the second mixture are placed separately on 2 different alga plates. The first plate has 250 colonies and the second plate has 23 colonies. Calculate the average CFU / mL.

Answer Posted / kangchuentat

Answer 88 - (a) Dilution = (final volume of mixture) / (initial volume of mixture). First dilution = ( 0.2 + 1.8 ) L / (0.2 L) = 10. Second dilution = first dilution x ( 0.2 + 1.8 ) L / (0.2 L) = 10 x 10 = 100. (b) 100 microlitres = 100 microlitres x 1 mL / (1000 microlitres) = 0.1 mL. CFU / mL = (number of colonies x dilution) / (amount plated, in unit mL). In the first plate, CFU / mL = 250 x 10 / 0.1 = 25000. In the second plate, CFU / mL = 23 x 100 / 0.1 = 23000. Average CFU / mL = (first plated value + second plated value) / 2 = (25000 + 23000) / 2 = 24000. The answer is given by Kang Chuen Tat; PO Box 6263, Dandenong, Victoria VIC 3175, Australia; SMS +61405421706; chuentat@hotmail.com; http://kangchuentat.wordpress.com.

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