Microscopes for cell count?

[NeverDie]

Reporting back: I ordered this microscope: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5338413729&icep_item=381347257727 It uses DIN lenses.

It's not phase contrast, but I can add a 60x objective lens for fairly cheap (around $35, including shipping). This should be good enough for checking living yeast vitality (plump vs football shaped), and if it looks vital but I find funny smells, then I guess I'll just infer bacteria. 1.25 numerical aperature on the 100x lens means I might be able to see bacteria (I hope) if I do oil immersion.

As far as yeast counts goes, from what I've read, apparently you should only expect to get order of magnitude anyway, so, aside from checking vitality, I'm not sure it offers any more accuracy than measuring the volume of self-consolidated yeast cake.

 

[Blacksmith1]

That's pretty cool. And a lot less than I expected at first glance.

 

[NeverDie]

What agent are you guys using to unflocullate the yeast to get a more accurate cell count? Sulfuric acid, or something else?

This guy found a number of different unflocculators: http://braukaiser.com/blog/blog/2012/10/03/yeast-un-flocculation-for-cell-counting/

The trick is finding one that doesn't also kill the yeast cells.

Ideally, I'd like to get a bottle of pre-made solution (whether it be sulfuric acid or something else) that I can use on Day 1 to unflocculate the yeast without killing them. Anyone know of such a bottle with the right stuff already in it that I can simply buy on, say, amazon.com, or similar?

 

[NeverDie]

I'm close to fooling with this stuff; I have a 400x microscope, and bought this kit:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B076ZT949V/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

It contains the hemocytometer, some stains, a few other items that are needed. I have not baptized it yet, though I do have a starter in the refrigerator that I did not pitch into a fermenter; it's there awaiting my first attempt with this.

Yup, I placed an order for the same kit.

I ordered phosphoric acid as a deflocculator.

 

[NeverDie]

Reporting back: I received the microscope today, and I prepared a yeast slide from a mead that I'm brewing. I can see the yeast. It's fairly boring to look at, though, because there is no action or even any visible movement.

 

[NeoBrew]

Reporting back: I received the microscope today, and I prepared a yeast slide from a mead that I'm brewing. I can see the yeast. It's fairly boring to look at, though, because there is no action or even any visible movement.

Um, I'm pretty sure the yeast's job is not to entertain you. You might want to think about puppies as a hobby.

 

[NeverDie]

Um, I'm pretty sure the yeast's job is not to entertain you. You might want to think about puppies as a hobby.

Sponge

• NeverDie
• Feb 23, 2019