BiOWiSH Technologies Furthers Credibility in the Microbial Products Market

How can we know if the labels match what’s in the bag for microbial products? Microbials are invisible to the human eye and are hard for many growers to believe in. BiOWiSH researchers, along with some of our research partners, just published a study that can help answer that question. Read the summary below!

BiOWiSH Researchers Lead Team that Publishes on Microbial Enumeration in the Journal of Microbiological Methods

Researchers, regulatory officials, and farmers alike want to know that microbial products are delivering what they claim to. 

John Gorsuch in the lab

Luckily, John Gorsuch, manager of our microbiology lab at BiOWiSH Technologies, along with several partners from California Polytechnic State University and affiliated labs, published a new study dealing with this topic.

The research, entitled “A Comparison of Methods for Enumerating Bacteria in Direct Fed Microbials for Animal Feed,” is published in the Journal of Microbiological Methods. Get the full study here, or review the study highlights below.

Measuring Microbial Activity in DFMs

Understanding the number of viable organisms in any microbial product is important. Specifically, this study looked at the bacteria counts in a direct-fed microbial (DFM) for livestock. BiOWiSH researchers sought the best way to understand how storage time affects viable cell counts, so they researched the number of viable cells at several different intervals of storage time. Dr. Gorsuch and his colleagues compared cell counts using three methods: plate counting, flow cytometry, and qPCR. Here’s what they found:
  • Aerobic plate counting (the standard method for enumeration in probiotic products) underestimated cell counts when compared to flow cytometry and qPCR
  • Flow cytometry and qPCR methods showed more consistent counts as DFM products age
  • qPCR was the method that best discriminated between species
  • Aerobic plate counting may miss cells that are viable but non-culturable state. These cells are still alive but with very limited metabolic activity, and will revive once in favorable conditions
As a result of this study, Dr. Gorsuch and his fellow researchers recommend using flow cytometry or PCR for the most accurate enumeration.

Advanced Microbial Solutions Powered by Research

This study is just one example of our expansive R&D efforts. At BiOWiSH, we are committed to scientific research and development of natural, non-GMO technology. We believe that we can expand the field of microbiology by sharing our research through accessible resources and collaborative conversation.

Our research enables us to offer powerful microbial solutions with unprecedented stability and efficacy. These solutions empower industry leaders to work towards a more sustainable future. Visit our website for more information on our agriculture and aquaculture solutions, or visit our resources page to view some of our case studies.

If you’re in the agriculture or aquaculture industry and have questions about how you can create a more sustainable future with BiOWiSH® microbial solutions, contact our experts at agronomy@biowishtech.com.