Automatic quantitative radiometric assay of bacterial metabolism.

In a two-compartment scintillation vial, suspensions of bacteria were cultured with 1 muCi of [U-14C] glucose and the released 14C02 was measured continuously, cumulatively, and automatically in a liquid-scintillation counter modified to maintain sample temperature at 37 degrees C. We could follow the metabolism of bacterial populations through their early phase of exponential growth with good precision. The data were obtained conveniently, with use of conventional reagents, glassware, and counting equipment. From analysis of the exponential portion of the curves for cumulative activity vs. time, we could measure cell replication rate precisely in units of time. The resulting values were demonstrably independent of some common experimental variables, including the number of bacteria in the inoculum and counting system sensitivity. Sensitivity of the bacteria to antibiotics was measured to within a few percent by noting the relative prolongation of replication time in the presence of those inhibitors. The digital data from the scintillation counter are susceptible to on- or off-line computer analysis, thus providing the prospect for a totally-automated analytical system. The method shows promise for the mechanized quantitative analysis of bacterial growth, and its inhibition.