The use of image analysis for morphological measurements on filamentous microorganisms

Abstract

Characterization of mycelial morphology is important for the design and operation of filamentous fermentations. Initial investigations have been made of semiautomated image analysis as a replacement for a digitizing-table method. It was shown that the image analysis method was more precise than the digitizing-table method used, although this extra precision is unimportant in this application. On average, image analysis gave mean hyphal lengths 6% greater than digitizing, because the latter used chord lengths to represent are lengths. For short branches image analysis was less accurate. In time and convenience the image analysis method had an overwhelming advantage, and this advantage might be enhanced by full automation. The resulting ability to characterize mycelial morphology rapidly would permit such characterization to be used routinely in studies of filamentous fermentations.