Guar Gum Gel Culture Medium for Rapid Microorganism Enumeration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for culturing and detecting microorganisms are inconvenient for end users, particularly due to the use of solidifying agents like agar, and there is a need for a better method to detect and enumerate microorganisms, especially those that degrade guar gum, which can harm hydraulic fracturing operations.
Innovation Solution
A culture device comprising a self-supporting waterproof substrate with an adhesive layer and a cold-water-soluble powder containing guar gum and nutrients, forming a gel on incubation, allowing colony counting and degradation detection within 24 to 72 hours.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional solidifying agents like agar are used in culture media, then microorganisms can be cultured and detected, but the method becomes inconvenient for end users and requires complex preparation procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The culture media is pre-prepared and freeze-dried in a ready-to-use form on the substrate. All necessary components including solidifying agents, nutrients, and indicators are incorporated beforehand, eliminating the need for users to perform complex preparation procedures. The user simply needs to add water and incubate the sample.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a disposable substrate-based culture device that is pre-prepared and single-use. The entire culture media system is integrated onto a disposable substrate, eliminating the need for reusable equipment and complex sterilization procedures. After use, the entire device is discarded, ensuring convenience and preventing cross-contamination.
2Productivity
If conventional culture methods are used, then microorganisms can be detected, but the detection time is extended beyond 24-72 hours
Solution Approach 1:
The culture media includes pH indicators or chromogenic substrates that change color when microorganisms metabolize nutrients or produce specific enzymes. This color change provides visual confirmation of microbial growth and identity within 24-72 hours, eliminating the need for extended incubation periods and complex analysis procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces traditional mechanical colony counting methods with visual detection through color changes and fluorescent markers. This substitution allows for rapid identification and enumeration of microorganisms without requiring extended incubation or complex mechanical counting equipment.
3Stability of the object's composition
If adhesive materials are used to attach culture powder to substrate, then the powder is securely fixed, but the adhesive may inhibit microorganism growth
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a biocompatible adhesive layer as an intermediary between the substrate and the culture powder. This adhesive is specifically selected to be non-toxic and non-inhibitory to microorganism growth, allowing secure attachment of the culture media while maintaining microbial viability and growth characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the adhesive material to ensure biocompatibility. The adhesive is formulated with specific pH, composition, and concentration parameters that prevent inhibition of microorganism growth while maintaining effective attachment of the culture powder to the substrate.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient detection and enumeration of microorganisms, particularly those that degrade guar gum, facilitating their identification and preventing their harmful effects in hydraulic fracturing operations.
Implementation Method 1
cold-water-soluble powder adhered to the adhesive, the powder comprising: guar gum; one or more nutrients for growing microorganisms; and a cover sheet having an inner-facing surface and an outer-facing surface, the cover sheet adhered to at least a portion of the body member; incubating a sample in the device to form a gel
Implementation Method 2
a layer of adhesive-coated on the upper surface of the substrate, the adhesive being non-inhibitory to the growth of microorganisms; and a cold-water-soluble powder adhered to the adhesive
Data Source
AI summary
A method. The method includes providing a device, the device comprising: a body member comprising a self-supporting, waterproof substrate having upper and lower surfaces; and a layer of adhesive-coated on the upper surface of the substrate, the adhesive being non-inhibitory to the growth of microorganisms; and a cold-water-soluble powder adhered to the adhesive, the powder comprising: guar gum; one or more nutrients for growing microorganisms; and a cover sheet having an inner-facing surface and an outer-facing surface, the cover sheet adhered to at least a portion of the body member; incubating a sample in the device to form a gel; and counting colonies between 24 hours to 72 hours and/or determining if the gel surrounding a colony is degraded.