A sensitive and rapid method to determine the viability of freeze-dried bacterial cells

A sensitive and rapid method to determine the viability of freeze-dried bacterial cells
June 2003
N. Parthuisot1, P. Catala1, P. Lebaron1, D. Clermont2 and C. Bizet21
Letters in Applied Microbiology
Volume 36 Issue 6 Page 412
Blackwell Synergy
Observatoire Oc?anologique, Universit? Pierre et Marie Curie, CNRS UMR7621, Institut des Sciences de l'Univers, BP44, F-66651 Banyuls-sur-Mer Cedex, France, and 2Collection de l'Institut Pasteur, Structure et dynamique des g?nomes, 28 Rue du Dr Roux, 75000 Paris, France
Abstract
Aims:To determine the potential use of flow cytometry for viability asssessment of freeze-dried bacterial cells.
Methods and Results:Escherichia coli CIP 54.8T and Vibrio metschnikovii CIP 104262 were analysed. The viability of freeze-dried cells resuspended in a nutrient broth was evaluated by culture whereas activity was determined by flow cytometry analysis of both esterase activity and cell death. Activity assessment by flow cytometry was found to be a rapid and good indicator of cell viability and was very efficient for quality control. For V. metschnikovii the fraction of active cells varies greatly depending on the freeze-drying procedure and within a given procedure.
Conclusions, Significance and Impact of the Study:Bacterial activity assessment by flow cytometry is very efficient for the control of freeze-dried cells.
This is a subscription site. You will need to register and pay to view the Full Text Article.