Evaluation of viable counting procedures for the enumeration of sulfate-reducing bacteria in estuarine sediments

摘要: Abstract The recovery of known viable populations sulfate-reducing bacteria belonging to the genera Desulfovibrio, Desulfobacter and Desulfobulbus from inoculated, sterile, anoxic estuarine sediments has been determined using Postgate's Widdel's media. Recovery Desulfovibrio was consistently higher with medium, whilst medium always yielded counts . In all cases average after 5 days incubation at 4°C only about 50% added cells. Two surface active agents, cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB, final concentration 0.00001% w/v) sodium tripolyphosphate (NaPP, 0.0005% w/v), both increased recoveries cells, CTAB showing greatest effect (16% increase). addition untreated sediment samples also significantly in situ bacteria, although more variable (0–200% Viable different types sediments, even most appropriate growth presence CTAB, grossly underestimate these when compared total direct rates sulfate reduction measured within same sediment. significance should therefore be interpreted caution.