Mold Bacteria Consulting Services

Serving Ontario and British Columbia

You are here: Home / Archives for colonies

Are The Small White Spheres Specific To One Bacteria?

Question: In your article “Significance Of Airborne Bacteria In Indoor Environments” there is a picture of bacterial growth in a culture dish. Could you tell me whether the small white spheres are specific to one bacteria or is a common presentation for many types?

Answer: The white spheres could be representing one type of bacterium or different types of bacteria. However, bacteria colonies will differ in size, texture and color. Description of a bacteria colony includes its shape, the margins or edges of the colony, the colony’s color, as well as surface texture. Some bacteria have their colonies round and smooth, others can have wavy edges and a wrinkled appearance. Differentiating bacteria based on the appearance of their colonies is unreliable, but an essential first step in isolating the different types of bacteria in a sample. Similarly bacteria cells differ in shape and size. Four of the common shapes of bacteria cells are cocci (spherical), rods, vibrio (comma shaped) and spiral.

Is There A Way To Estimate Length Of Time A Fungal Colony Has Been Growing?

Question: Is there a way to estimate the length of time a fungal colony or colonies have been growing? I’m sure that is based on the type of mold, water availability, temperature, food availability, etc. However, in the district we have found several mold growth areas that appear to have been active for several weeks (based totally on assumptions), not a matter of days as is relayed in the information provided.

Answer:. It’s difficult to tell the length of time a fungal colony or colonies have been growing. As you mentioned the rate of fungal growth will depend on water availability, temperature, food availabity, presence/absence of
growth inhibitors and most important the type of fungus. If we know the type of fungus and if it’s still actively growing,
then we can estimate the length of time the fungal colony has been growing. Under laboratory conditions, most fungi will
produce visible colonies in 3-5 days (some fast growing ones within 2 days) and produce spores within 5-10 days.

Salmonella food poisoning and symptoms

Salmonella food poisoning has been a growing concern in recent news. It has frequently lead to recalls of beef, salads and organic products and, even peanut butter products. Salmonella food poisoning occurs when one eats raw or undercooked foods such meat, poultry, eggs or egg products. Properly cooked food can get contaminated with Salmonella if […]

Legionella pneumophila – Guidelines for Laboratory Interpretation

Legionella pneumophila is a Gram negative, aerobic bacteria that is characterized as an opportunistic pathogen. It is the cause of Legionnaires’ Disease, a severe form of pneumonia and, it is the cause of Pontiac fever, a non-pneumonic form of L. pneumophila infection. Legionella spp.’s mode of transmission is through aerosols or aspiration of contaminated water. The Public Health […]

The Indoor Mold Is An Early Warning Device

The mold (or mould, in the Queen’s English) has been the victim of a bad press. Mention the word and it conjures up an image of something rotting or in the process of decomposition. And yet, were it not for the mold that inspired the discovery of penicillin millions of lives would have been lost. […]