Can Microbial-based Metalworking Fluids Outperform Traditional Water-based Fluids?
Microorganisms in metalworking fluids (MWFs) have typically been considered problematic, however, a recent study published in 2017 presents a paradigm shift by demonstrating the effectiveness of microbial-based vs. water-based MWFs. While many of us are not familiar with the intricacies of metalworking, it’s the process of cutting and shaping metals for use in manufacturing…. Read More
Sequencing Your Bioreactor – Who’s Doing the Work?
Metagenomics through the incorporation of next generation sequencing (NGS) is changing the way wastewater treatment plants are monitored and understood. NGS can be used in aerobic and anaerobic systems to monitor for problematic organisms, such as filamentous and foaming bacteria, and beneficial organisms, such as ammonia-oxidizing bacteria and methanogens. NGS is also allowing old… Read More
[News Release] One-stop microbiology management now available as LuminUltra acquires InstantLabs
September 19, 2018 – It’s now possible to both quickly and easily identify all microbes in a sample and determine the abundance of specific microbes as LuminUltra, a global market leader in rapid and portable microbiological monitoring tools, has acquired InstantLabs, a developer of DNA-based measurement technologies. “LuminUltra is now a one-stop shop for… Read More
The Overlooked Importance of Calibrating Your Enzyme
One of the major benefits of LuminUltra’s 2nd generation ATP monitoring over existing technology (i.e. ATP pens) is the normalization of enzyme activity. At the microbiological level, knowing how active the enzyme is at the time of testing offers significant benefits for both data collection and analysis. Given this, LuminUltra’s 2nd Generation ATP test… Read More
Most Wanted Microbes – Methanogens
From the editor: This is the thirteenth post in an ongoing series profiling microorganisms of particular significance in water and wastewater systems. In this series we will cover microorganisms of many types including some that are beneficial, inhibitory and pathogenic. Methanogens are a group of microbes that produce methane gas through the breakdown of… Read More
Cocktail Party Examples – Microbiologically Induced Corrosion
From the editor: This guest post was originally published on InstantLab’s blog. InstantLabs is a global molecular diagnostics company focused on building next-generation DNA-based analysis tools and services for industry. Their global client base includes users in the food and biocorrosion space. As we discussed in a previous blog post, Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC)… Read More
Most Wanted Microbes – Bacillus
From the editor: This is the twelfth post in an ongoing series profiling microorganisms of particular significance in water and wastewater systems. In this series we will cover microorganisms of many types including some that are beneficial, inhibitory and pathogenic. Bacillus is a genus of microbes that has many positive uses in various industries such as medical care, and veterinary care,… Read More
Amazing Water Resources
If you find it easiest to understand a new concept through some type of visualization, you’re not alone. If you happen to be a ‘visual’ person and have an interest in water, there are a ton of great resources available online that can bring out the map-geek and marine biologist in anyone. Here at… Read More
Most Wanted Microbes – Candidatus Accumulibacter
From the editor: This is the eleventh post in an ongoing series profiling microorganisms of particular significance in water and wastewater systems. In this series we will cover microorganisms of many types including some that are beneficial, inhibitory and pathogenic. Candidatus Accumulibacter is a phosphorus accumulating organism (PAOs), meaning it can store copious quantities of phosphorus under specific conditions in a process referred to as enhanced biological phosphorus removal. Systems that select for Candidatus… Read More
Am I Missing Something? A Look into the Dangers of Viable but Nonculturable Cells (VBNC)
“I’ve performed the plate count… but what am I missing?” For over a century, lab technicians for water treatment facilities have turned to culturable plate counts as their main weapon in quantifying the bacterial count for a system. What may come as a shock to these facilities is that even after a treatment has… Read More