Microbial Insights

Quantify total biomass and assess the entire microbial population

Phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA) are a main component of the membrane (essentially the skin) of all microbes. PLFA analysis provides direct information on the entire microbial community in three key areas:

•    Viable (living) Biomass
•    Community Composition or Population “Fingerprint”

•    Microbial Activity

In addition, PLFA analysis can be coupled to an innovative technique called Stable Isotope Probing (SIP) to show incorporation of a ¹³C

labeled compound into microbial biomass thus conclusively demonstrating that biodegradation is occurring. For more information on SIP, please see SIP.