| abstract |
A process is provided for separating individual microorganisms either from a support such as soil particles to which they are adhered or from a flock in which the microorganisms are adhered together to form groups. The process involves enzymatically decomposing the natural polymeric adhesive which holds the microorganism to the support or to one another. After the individual microoganisms have been separated, they can be counted, or the proportion of one of the microorganisms within the microorganism population can be determined, or nucleic acids can be separated from the microorganisms. The enzyme may decompose polysaccharides, proteins or pectins and mixtures of enzymes may be used. Suitable enzymes for bringing about the separation of the individual organisms comprise cellulase, hemicellulase, glucuronidase, amylase, protease and pectinase. |