TEMPERATURE-GRADIENT INCUBATOR FOR DETERMINING THE TEMPERATURE RANGE OF GROWTH OF MICROORGANISMS

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Abstract
Elliott, R. Paul (U.S. Department of Agriculture, Albany, Calif.). Temperature-gradient incubator for determining the temperature range of growth of microorganisms. J. Bacteriol. 85: 889–894. 1963.—The temperature-gradient incubator consists of an aluminum bar with troughs for media, with controlled temperatures at each end, and with insulation to prevent heat transfer. The resulting linear temperature gradient provides a means for determining minimal or maximal growth temperatures of microorganisms in any desired range and at any desired gradient. The operation of the incubator is unaffected by line-voltage variations or by ambient temperature. Media do not dehydrate seriously even during prolonged periods of operation. The incubator can be used to determine water activity of media by an adjustment to permit partial freezing. Either thermocouples or thermistors may be used to measure temperatures.