Technique for Enumeration of Heterotrophic and Phototrophic Nanoplankton, Using Epifluorescence Microscopy, and Comparison with Other Procedures †

AUTOR(ES)

Caron, David A.

RESUMO

A new method is described that uses the fluorochrome primulin and epifluorescence microscopy for the enumeration of heterotrophic and phototrophic nanoplankton (2 to 20 μm). Phototrophic microorganisms are distinguished from heterotrophs by the red autofluorescence of chlorophyll a. Separate filter sets are used which allow visualization of the primulin-stained nanoplankton without masking chlorophyll a fluorescence, thus allowing easy recognition of phototrophic cells. Comparison with existing epifluorescence techniques for counting heterotrophic and phototrophic nanoplankton shows that primulin provides more accurate counts of these populations than the fluorescein isothiocyanate or proflavine techniques. Accuracy is comparable to that with the acridine orange technique, but this method requires only one filter preparation for the enumeration of both phototrophic and heterotrophic populations.

Documentos Relacionados

• Use of Inorganic Membrane Filters (Anopore) for Epifluorescence and Scanning Electron Microscopy of Nanoplankton and Picoplankton †
• Improved Technique for Identification and Enumeration of Methanogenic Bacterial Colonies on Roll Tubes by Epifluorescence Microscopy
• Double-Staining Epifluorescence Technique to Assess Frequency of Dividing Cells and Bacteriovory in Natural Populations of Heterotrophic Microprotozoa †
• Microcolony epifluorescence microscopy for selective enumeration of injured bacteria in frozen and heat-treated foods.
• Comparison of direct electron microscopy, immune electron microscopy, and rotavirus enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of gastroenteritis viruses in children.