Survival of 'E coli' K12 on Laboratory Coats Made of 100% Cotton

摘要

The report shows that E. coli K12 bacteria are able to survive drying on a labcoat for periods varying from four to twenty days. The survival rate is dependent on the culturing phase at the moment of application, the amount of liquid applied and on the chromosomal background of the E. coli K12 strain used. Regardless of the chromosomal background, the results indicate that optimal conditions for survival on a lab coat are created when more than 200 microliters of a stationary phase culture are applied on a small area.