A new rapid technique for detection of microorganisms using bioluminescence and fluorescence microscope method

Abstract

The MicroStar-RMDS-SPS (RMDS; R apid M icrobe D etection S ystem) enables detection and determination of the number of microorganisms trapped on a membrane filter based on the ATP-bioluminescence method. However, this system could not provide information about the identity of contaminating species based on the measurement results. Therefore, we developed a new technique for observing microcolonies of contaminants using a fluorescence microscope (Micro Scanner). The coordinates in the image data of the RMDS were converted to the coordinates of the sample stage of the microscope, and a microcolony could be easily observed. A single yeast cell and a microcolony consisting of 20–30 lactic acid bacterial cells could be observed on a membrane filter after measurement using the RMDS.