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Fractal dimension analysis: A new tool for analyzing colony-forming units
Gisele Alborghetti Nai1, Cesar Alberto TALAvera Martelli2, Denis Aloísio Lopes Medina2
1Department of Pathology, Universidade do Oeste Paulista (UNOESTE), Rua José Bongiovani, 700, 19050-680 Presidente Prudente, SP, Brazil.
Methodsx
|August 26, 2021
Summary
Fractal dimension analysis offers a faster, easier method for quantifying bacteria colony-forming units (CFU) compared to manual counting. This digital approach shows strong correlation with traditional methods, proving useful for microbiological research.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biotechnology
- Image Analysis
Background:
- Manual colony-forming unit (CFU) counting is the standard for bacterial quantification but is laborious and subjective.
- There is a need for more efficient and objective methods in bacterial enumeration for research and diagnostics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate fractal dimension analysis as a novel, objective, and efficient methodology for quantifying bacterial CFU.
- To compare the accuracy of fractal dimension analysis with traditional manual CFU counting.
Main Methods:
- Bacterial suspensions were used to inoculate synthetic vascular prostheses (ePTFE and silicone).
- Prostheses were cultured on solid media for 48 hours, and Petri dishes were photographed.
- Images were analyzed using ImageJ software's fractal dimension tool for quantification.
Main Results:
- A significant correlation (p=0.0001) was found between manual CFU counts and fractal dimension analysis.
- Fractal dimension analysis proved to be a reliable method for bacterial quantification.
Conclusions:
- Fractal dimension analysis is a valuable tool for microbiological research, offering a faster and more objective alternative to manual CFU counting.
- This method is applicable across different culture media, enhancing its versatility in bacterial quantification.
