We are conducting research concerning the microbial corrosion of concrete and
have recently had some problems while growing the Thiobacilli strains (T.
thiooxidanx, T. thioparus, T. novellus, T. neapolitanus, T. intermedius). The
organisms seem to grow fine in liquid culture, but when we streak plates to
check on culture purity they do not always grow as colonies, but in some cases
as what appear to be crystals. The crystals appear as discreet units, which
can be confused for colonies, and only appear along the streak lines. The
original colonies streaked from the ATTC stocks did not do this. We have
lowered the amount of phosphate used in the media in case the phosphate was
causing the crystals, this did not help. If anyone has any experiences with
Thiobacilli and crystal fromation please let me know. Or if anyone has a
successful media, that works as an agar. Our media are slightly modified
ATTC media (which were designed for liquid culture) with agar added. We have
one for the acidophile and one for the neutrophiles. Please e-mail me at
djroberts at uh.edu as I don't always have time to peruse my news reader.
