A rapid method for determination of growth of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans byseries piezoelectric quartz crystal

A rapid and simple method for monitoring the growth of Thiobacillus ferroox idans is put forward by using a series piezoelectric quartz crystal (SPQC). The SPQC was applied to continuously determine the variation of frequency shift during the culture of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans, with a conductive el ectrode as the probe. The frequency shift as a function of time agrees with a typical 'S - shape' model, a piezoelectric sensor responding well to the growth of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans. The fundamentals for determination of the bacterial growth activity using the SPQC is also described; the freque ncy shift is only dependent on the electrical conductivity of the solution and the dielectric constant.