Improved identification of methanogenic bacteria by fluorescence microscopy

Abstract

Methanogenic bacteria can be tentatively identified by fluorescence microscopy. This technique was improved by carefully selecting a series of excitation and barrier filters that matched the excitation and emission spectra of some unique coenzymes, F420 and F350, in methanogenic bacteria. [Methanosarcina barkeri, Methanobacterium formicicum, Methanobacterium strain M.o.H., Methanospirillum hungatii, Methanobacterium strain TH, Methanobacterium thermoautrophicum and Methanobacterium ruminantium were used.].