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Bacterial viability and culturability.

M R Barer1, C R Harwood

  • 1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School, Newcastle upon Tyne.

Advances in Microbial Physiology
|September 29, 1999
PubMed
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Many bacteria remain uncultured, challenging traditional definitions. This study explores the concept of viable but non-culturable (VBNC) bacteria, questioning its operational definition and exploring factors influencing bacterial culturability.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Bacteriology

Background:

  • Growing recognition of uncultured bacteria in diverse environments.
  • Emergence of the viable but non-culturable (VBNC) state concept.
  • Advancements in techniques for studying non-culturable bacterial cells.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To critically evaluate the operational definition of VBNC bacteria.
  • To differentiate between temporarily non-culturable and never-cultured bacteria.
  • To explore physiological factors affecting bacterial culturability.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and conceptual analysis.
  • Examination of bacterial physiological processes influencing culturability.
  • Discussion of individual vs. community-level bacterial viability.

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Main Results:

  • The term VBNC is operationally contradictory.
  • Physiological states like injury, aging, and differentiation impact culturability.
  • Distinctions between temporary non-culturability and permanent unculturability are crucial.

Conclusions:

  • Re-evaluating bacterial culturability requires understanding diverse physiological states.
  • The VBNC concept needs refinement, distinguishing temporary non-culturability from bacteria that have never been cultured.
  • Bacterial viability may be better understood as a community property in certain contexts.