The Microbiology Laboratory of the Department of Biotechnology and Food Microbiology is comprised of numerous rooms that serve the purposes of media preparation, sterilization, sample preparation, incubation, cold storage, disintegration of materials and washing. These rooms also facilitate the operation of the other laboratories in the department. Additionally, the Microbiology Laboratory is responsible for the Collection of Pure Cultures where several thousands strains of bacteria, molds and yeasts have been deposited.
The Microbiology Laboratory is involved in isolation and identification of microorganisms from food and environmental samples, and determination of specific metabolic traits of microbes, such as the synthesis of polyols and organic acids, antimicrobial agents, vitamins, polysaccharides, enzymes and peptides. The laboratory specializes in research on health promoting properties of microorganisms. Furthermore, its workers perform routine analyzes of the microbiological quality of food, dietary supplements and other materials, and facilitate research on bioprocesses by providing seed cultures and process monitoring data. Microbial quality and activity of biotechnological products are also determined here.
The essential equipment of the Microbiology Laboratory includes: autoclaves (SMS Elmi, Getinge, SMS typ AS44 ) for the sterilization of media, materials and disintegration of biological materials; homogenizers (Stomacher, Pulsifier and BagMixer) for the preparation of samples prior to microbiological analyzes; BSL2 laminar flow cabinets (Holten, Thermo Scientific), anaerobic workstations (Don Whitley Scientific MG 500, Ruskinn Concept 1000) for handling strict anaerobes; incubators (Binder, Haereus, Thermo Scientific, Biosan) for the cultivation of microorganisms with different temperature and aeration requirements; anaerobic incubator (Anaxomat); visible light microscopes (Zeiss); inverted microscope with fluorescence and image analysis software (Zeiss, Axiovert 200); thermocyclers; RT-PCR thermocycler; thermomixers; fluorometer; capillary electrophoresis instrument; immunoenzimatic analyzer with fluorescence detection for the determination of pathogeinc microorganisms and toxic metabolites (mini Vidas); automatic colony counteri (Easy Count 2) with Computer Scanning System (MultiScanBase v14.02) that allows differentiation and enumeration of colonies based on their size and color, and the mesurement of inhibition zones; centrifuges (Eppendorf); shaking water baths (Biosan); luminometer (Lumac), membrane filtration kits; units for storing microorganisms in low temperatures; cryogenic vessels for storage in liquid nitrogen; glassware washers.