ISOLATION OF FILAMENTOUS BACTERIA FROM ACTIVATED-SLUDGE USING MICROMANIPULATION

A method is presented for the identification and isolation of filament ous bacteria from activated sludge samples using the technique of micr omanipulation. This employs a forged microneedle which is inserted int o a drop of activated sludge either resting on an agar surface or as a smear on a glass slide. It enables a single filamentous bacterium to be removed and identified based on its morphological characteristics. The same organism can then be transfered into a growth medium for conf irmation of its identity using biochemical characteristics. Use of thi s technique reduces the confusion which can arise in identification an d ensures that prevalent filament species associated with specific bul king incidences can be isolated and accurately identified.