Truthworthy growth kinetics for Mycoplasma

The challenge of the uncountable

Successful process development in biomanufacturing and microbiology depends on accurate process insights. Yet for many organisms — anaerobes, mycoplasmas, and other fastidious species — enumeration is one of the hardest tasks. Traditional culture-based methods can take days or even weeks, leaving researchers with little to guide them in real time.

Optical density (OD) is often used as a quicker alternative. However, OD is an indirect method that is prone to misleading results. A change in OD can come from cell morphology shifts, pigment production, or other media effects, rather than actual changes in cell number. This makes it exceedingly difficult to compare process conditions or build reliable growth models. In many cases, researchers are forced to develop processes while operating in the blind.

The BactoBox^® solution

By integrating BactoBox® into their workflow, the researchers were able to obtain direct bacterial cell counts (cells/mL) within minutes. As shown in Fig. 1, their study demonstrated a strong correlation between BactoBox® measurements and CCU/mL across the growth curve, effectively replacing weeks of waiting with near real-time results. Similar results were obtained for Mycoplasma anserisalpingitidis.

Confidence in minutes, not weeks

The findings gave the HUN-REN team immediate, actionable insights into their microbial processes:

• Rapid feedback: Decisions could be made on the same day rather than weeks later.
• Reliable growth data: BactoBox® counts tracked consistently with traditional culture results.
• Clarity beyond OD: Unlike OD, which can fluctuate due to morphology changes, media conditions, or pigment effects, BactoBox® provided direct and trustworthy bacterial counts.

This meant their process development work could progress with much greater confidence and predictability.

Looking ahead

The HUN-REN Veterinary Medical Research Institute has now continued its research with BactoBox® as a key part of its workflow. At SBT Instruments, we believe microbial research should not be slowed down or distorted by the limitations of traditional enumeration methods. With BactoBox®, researchers gain the clarity they need to move faster, make better comparisons, and develop processes with confidence.