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Device and method for the detection of microorganisms which produce low-molecular-weight metabolites

  • US 5,348,861 A
  • Filed: 10/18/1991
  • Issued: 09/20/1994
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/23/1990
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method for detecting microorganisms which produce a low-molecular-weight metabolite having a molecular weight less than or equal to 500 from a substance capable of being metabolized by the microorganisms being detected comprising the steps of:

  • growing microorganisms on a support;

    applying to the microorganisms grown on the support the substance in radioactively labeled form;

    covering the support having the grown microorganisms and the labeled substance with a semipermeable medium, the semipermeable medium being permeable to the low molecular weight metabolite but not to the labeled substance;

    positioning an adsorption medium adjacent the semipermeable medium so as to be exposed to the metabolite passing therethrough, the adsorption medium being able to effectively absorb the metabolite;

    incubating in combination the support having the grown microorganisms and the labeled substance, the semipermeable medium, and the adsorption medium to produce from the labeled substance a detectable amount of radioactively labeled metabolite if the microorganisms which produce the metabolite are present on the support; and

    analyzing the adsorption medium to detect the presence of the radioactively labeled metabolite.

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