Research Article Open Access

DEVELOPMENT OF A BACTERIAL CULTURE SYSTEM USING A PAPER PLATFORM TO ACCOMMODATE MEDIA AND AN INK-JET PRINTING TO DISPENSE BACTERIA

Tithimanan Srimongkon1, Takuya Ishida2, Kiyohiko Igarashi2 and Toshiharu Enomae1
  • 1 University of Tsukuba, Japan
  • 2 University of Tokyo, Japan

Abstract

Generally, bacterial culture is performed manually and is subject to error. Here, we created a novel, well-ordered and reliable system for dispensing bacteria microscopically by using paper and an ink-jet printer for controlled patterning. For paper to accommodate a culture medium, hydrophobic/hydrophilic patterns were incorporated onto the paper by immersing paper in a toluene solution of polystyrene and drying for complete hydrophobization, followed by etching discrete, small areas of hydrophilicity by ink-jet printing with toluene. Agar was hydrolyzed with sulfuric acid for appropriate viscosity and dispensed with an ink-jet printer. In a separate experiment, bacterial cells were sequentially printed on a medium and colonies were observed microscopically. The results of this experiment ensured the successful dispensing of bacteria using ink-jet printing. An almost constant number of particles per droplet were ejected using a polystyrene latex as a model of bacterial dispersion. Consequently, we expect this technology to be adapted for the development of a paper-based bioassay system.

American Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology
Volume 10 No. 1, 2014, 81-87

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3844/ajbbsp.2014.81.87

Submitted On: 5 March 2014 Published On: 26 April 2014

How to Cite: Srimongkon, T., Ishida, T., Igarashi, K. & Enomae, T. (2014). DEVELOPMENT OF A BACTERIAL CULTURE SYSTEM USING A PAPER PLATFORM TO ACCOMMODATE MEDIA AND AN INK-JET PRINTING TO DISPENSE BACTERIA. American Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, 10(1), 81-87. https://doi.org/10.3844/ajbbsp.2014.81.87

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Keywords

  • Paper Platform
  • Bacterial Cells Printing
  • Hydrophobic/Hydrophilic Patterning