Dear Darcy,
In my opinion, total viable count (TVC) using a haemocytometer or Neuber chamber or other counting grids is the best option for any microbe, including fungi. However, in these counting methods dead and living microbial cells can not be differentiated. Here you have used gamma irradiation before inoculation, so there will be an expected decrease in cell viability. For that you can simultaneously go for a viable plate count using spread plating method and can keep a check on the viability of the cells. For all these methods you have to start with serial dilution of your microbial samples. All these methods are very commonly used and established microbiological techniques and you will easily get well structured protocols for each procedure in the internet.
If you want to distinguish between the viable (living) and non-viable (dead) cells in your samples then you can go for the standard dye-exclusion or preferential dye uptake assays. I do not have a very clear idea about the exactness of these methods for fungal counting. I hope this article will be helpful, you can look into it -
"Multiple Applications of Alamar Blue as an Indicator of Metabolic Function and Cellular Health in Cell Viability Bioassays"; doi: 10.3390/s120912347
Good luck and best regards,
Shiladitya
Thank you! How about specific type of fungi like filamentous Aspergillus species? What can be the best method for counting it from the surface of a dried organic media such as copra without homogenizing the material?
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