back to organism index

MICROORGANISMS

The microorganisms observed in FOSS investigations include these protists: paramecia, amoeba, euglena, and mixed flagellates. The microscopic protists are living organisms. Therefore, they need the attention that other organisms need. The photosynthetic euglenas need light, air, and nutrients in the water. The other protists are not photosynthetic, so they need food as well as other life requirements.

What to do when they arrive. Protists can live comfortably in their shipping containers for several weeks. As soon as the shipment is received, you need to:

• Loosen the lids on the containers to provide air. You can use a pipette to bubble a little air into the cultures if you like, but use a separate pipette for each culture to prevent contamination.
• Find a safe location to keep the cultures. Keep jars in a cool place out of direct sunlight. Do not put them in the refrigerator or in direct sunlight. Around 20°C is good.
• Put the lids on loosely to keep out dust but to allow air circulation.
• Prior to use, tighten cover and gently shake jar of Amoeba to dislodge organisms from bottom.
• Food organisms have been included in the culture. Paramecium, Euglena, and the mixed protozoan will be found distributed evenly through their liquid media.
• Be sure to use a separate pipette for each organism so as not to contaminate cultures.

Culturing Paramecia, Amoebae, and Mixed Flagellates. The best way to maintain a supply of heterotrophic protists (those that have to eat to live) indefinitely is to create new cultures periodically. To make a culture of paramecia, amoebae, or mixed flagellates, prepare a wheat medium and inoculate it with the desired culture.

Cultures are small. A baby food jar or glass custard cup is about right for a culture container. These must be absolutely clean with no soap residue. You will also need biologically pure water (high-quality spring water should serve) and wheat seeds.

1. Boil some wheat seeds (grains) for several minutes.
2. Boil some spring water to pasteurize it. Put about 100 ml of the hot water into a clean culture container.
3. When the medium has cooled, inoculate it with 2–3 dropperfuls (not drops) of the culture you want to replicate.
4. Cover the culture and place it in a cool, dimly lit location.

Culturing Euglenas. Euglenas can be cultured in largemouth liter glass jars. They must be absolutely clean and free of soap residue. Make a liter of euglena medium and inoculate it with half of your existing culture.

1. Combine a liter of spring water, 40 rice grains, 40 wheat grains, and a teaspoon of dry nonfat milk powder in a clean beaker or stainless steel plan. Boil it for 5–10 minutes.
2. Pour the medium into the jar, cover it loosely, and cool to room temperature. Pour half of the euglena culture into the medium.
3. Place the culture in a well-lighted location, but not in direct sun. (High temperature is detrimental.) Artificial light is fine.

Back to top