Effect Of Membrane Filter Pore Size On Microbial Recovery And Colony Morphology

Membrane filters with a 0.45 µm pore size have long been recognized as the standard for growing microorganisms, but there is limited research on the effects of varying pore sizes on colony size and recovery. To address this gap, this study investigates the impact of different pore sizes on the growth and recovery of common microorganisms. A variety of microorganism/media combinations are compared using membrane filters with pore sizes ranging from 0.22 to 1.2 µm. The filtration method utilized in the study is a standard glass funnel and base with vacuum. Test filters are plated on solid media and evaluated in comparison to spread plates. Explore the results of this study to gain insight into the influence of pore size on microbial growth and recovery.