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Boykin, E. H.

Publications and source records attributed to Boykin, E. H..

6 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1978

Multichannel electrochemical microbial detection unit

The paper describes the design and capabilities of a compact multichannel electrochemical unit devised to detect and automatically indicate detection time length of bacteria. By connecting this unit to a strip-chart recorder, a permanent record is obtained of the end points and growth curves for each of eight channels. The experimental setup utilizing the multichannel unit consists of a test tube (25 by 150 mm) containing a combination redox electrode plus 18 ml of lauryl tryptose broth and positioned in a 35-C water bath. Leads from the electrodes are connected to the multichannel unit, which in turn is connected to a strip-chart recorder. After addition of 2.0 ml of inoculum to the test tubes, depression of the push-button starter activates the electronics, timer, and indicator light for each channel. The multichannel unit is employed to test tenfold dilutions of various members of the Enterobacteriaceae group, and a typical dose-response curve is presented.

Wilkins, J. R.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Analytical notes - Electrochemical method for early detection and monitoring of coliforms

An electrochemical method for detecting bacteria, based on a linear relationship between inoculum size and the time of hydrogen evolution, was tested for the early detection and monitoring of coliforms in naturally contaminated estuarine and fresh water samples. Standard methods for coliform analysis were performed on each sample, and membrane filtration counts were used to construct dose-response curves; relationships and results are discussed herein.

Wilkins, J. R.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Microbial detection method based on sensing molecular hydrogen

An approach involving the measurement of hydrogen evolution by test organisms was used to detect and enumerate various members of the Enterobacteriaceae group. The experimental setup for measuring hydrogen evolution consisted of a test tube containing two electrodes plus broth and organisms. The test tube was kept in a water bath at a temperature of 35 C. It is pointed out that the hydrogen-sensing method, coupled with the pressure transducer technique reported by Wilkins (1974) could be used in various experiments in which gas production by microorganisms is being measured.

Wilkins, J. R.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Microbial detection method based on sensing molecular hydrogen

A simple method for detecting bacteria, based on the time of hydrogen evolution, was developed and tested against various members of the Enterobacteriaceae group. The test system consisted of (1) two electrodes, platinum and a reference electrode, (2) a buffer amplifier, and (3) a strip-chart recorder. Hydrogen evolution was measured by an increase in voltage in the negative (cathodic) direction. A linear relationship was established between inoculum size and the time hydrogen was detected (lag period). Lag times ranged from 1 h for 1 million cells/ml to 7 h for 1 cell/ml. For each 10-fold decrease in inoculum, length of the lag period increased 60 to 70 min. Based on the linear relationship between inoculum and lag period, these results indicate the potential application of the hydrogen-sensing method for rapidly detecting coliforms and other gas-producing microorganisms in a variety of clinical, food, and other samples.

Wilkins, J. R.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Automatic surface inoculation of agar trays.

Description of a machine and technique for the automatic inoculation of a plastic tray containing agar media with a culture, using either a conventional inoculation loop or a cotton swab. The design of the machine is simple, it is easy to use, and it relieves the operator from the manual task of streaking cultures. The described technique makes possible the visualization of the overall qualitative and, to some extent, quantitative relationships of various bacterial types in a sample tested.

Wilkins, J. R.↗