Pigmented Nutrient Media for Low-Background Microbe Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing nutrient media have high background interference that hampers optical detection methods for microorganisms, necessitating a need for a medium with reduced background to enhance detection sensitivity and speed.

Innovation Solution

A nutrient medium containing dyes and/or pigments, such as carbon particles or iron oxide particles, is developed to reduce background interference, allowing for improved optical detection of microorganisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional nutrient media are used, then microorganisms can grow, but the high background interference prevents sensitive optical detection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection sensitivityVSAvoidbackground interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies color changes by incorporating dyes and pigments (such as carbon particles, iron oxide particles, and various organic dyes) into the nutrient medium to alter its optical properties. These colorants reduce background interference by absorbing or scattering light in the detection wavelength range, thereby enhancing the contrast between the medium and growing microcolonies for optical detection methods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite materials by combining multiple components including dyes, pigments, gelling agents, and nutrient components into a single nutrient medium formulation. This composite approach allows the medium to simultaneously provide nutritional support for microbial growth while incorporating light-absorbing or light-scattering particles that reduce background interference for optical detection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If conventional nutrient media are used, then microorganisms can grow, but detection time is extended due to high background noise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection speedVSAvoidbackground noise

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The color-changing properties of the incorporated dyes and pigments create higher optical contrast between the nutrient medium and growing microcolonies. This enhanced contrast allows optical detection systems to identify microorganism growth at earlier stages, thereby reducing detection time and improving productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

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

The medium enhances the ability to detect microorganisms rapidly and with higher sensitivity by reducing background noise, facilitating quicker detection of microcolonies and improving recovery from various surfaces.

Implementation Method 1

The nutrient medium includes the pigment, wherein the pigment comprises carbon particles or iron oxide particles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

the at least one dye and/or pigment substantially reduces background of the medium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight scattering: Scattering

Data Source

PatentEP4136250B1Attenuated-background microbiological nutrient media and methods of using the same

Publication Date: 2025.12.03 RAPID MICRO BIOSYSTEMS INC

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AI summary

The present invention features microbiological nutrient media capable of supporting growth of microorganisms. The medium includes a gelling agent and a dye and/or pigment that reduces background.