Determine concentration at T0

Once the shake flask is inoculated, immediately collect a sample to obtain a measurement as close to T₀ as possible.

Prepare the T0 sample for BactoBox® measurement

1. Use a serological pipette to collect a sample from the shake flask.

2. Return the shake flask to the incubator shaker.

3. Start a 30-minute countdown to remind you to collect the next sample.

4. Vortex 30 seconds at max speed to disaggregate bacteria.

5. Dilute 1:100 in diluent by adding 101 µL of sample to 10 mL of diluent. Vortex 10 sec., max speed.

6. Transfer the tubing kit to the diluted sample.

Put the flask back in the incubator shaker immediately after collecting the sample.

Collect the sample quickly to ensure prompt return. Minimize the time the flask is outside the incubator shaker to avoid drops in temperature and dissolved oxygen levels.

Measure the T0 sample in Access

1. Click the Measure button in Access.

2. Add metadata:

   1. Dilution: 100.

   2. Label: E_coli_growth.

3. Once measurement is done, click the label E_coli_growth above the chart to visualize the growth curve data.

Do you get the error conductivity too high?

Some cultivation media have very high conductivity and a 1:100 dilution in standard diluent is not sufficient to bring the diluted sample within the accepted conductivity limits.

You can typically solve this issue by using a 1:201 dilution: Simply add 50 µL of sample to 10 mL of diluent. For more information, please see the section Hit the right concentration.

Clean the device

1. Transfer the tubing kit to the disinfection vial.

2. Click Clean.

Summary

You now know the bacterial concentration at T₀. Next we will collect a sample for every 30 min and keep repeating the 1:100 dilution scheme for lag and early exponential growth stage.