Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2026

Precise, High-throughput Analysis of Bacterial Growth
Published on: September 19, 2017
Modeling of the bacterial growth curve
M H Zwietering1, I Jongenburger, F M Rombouts
1Department of Food Science, Agricultural University Wageningen, P.O. Box 8129, 6700 EV Wageningen, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
Several sigmoidal functions (logistic, Gompertz, Richards, Schnute, and Stannard) were compared to describe a bacterial growth curve. They were compared statistically by using the model of Schnute, which is a comprehensive model, encompassing all other models. The t test and the F test were used. With the t test, confidence intervals for parameters can be calculated and can be used to distinguish between models. In the F test, the lack of fit of the models is compared with the measuring error. Moreover, the models were compared with respect to their ease of use. All sigmoidal functions were modified so that they contained biologically relevant parameters. The models of Richards, Schnute, and Stannard appeared to be basically the same equation. In the cases tested, the modified Gompertz equation was statistically sufficient to describe the growth data of Lactobacillus plantarum and was easy to use.
Related Concept Videos
Bacterial Growth Curve
Exponential Equations for Modeling Growth
Exponential Growth
Microbial Growth Measurement: Indirect Methods
Modeling with Differential Equations
Generation Time
