Pics of Yeast under my new microscope

[passedpawn]

A local brewery has a microscope; they use it to see how many generations they can use the yeast for. I always wanted one, post a pic up if you ever get an infected batch!

I've got batches intentionally infected - with lacto (flanders red & berliner weisse). I will post up a pic of bacteria this wkend for comparison here. Hopefully I can get both them and the yeast in the same pic. Also, gonna work on getting my webcam into the eyepiece tube for some microscope video. Would be good to show a sped-up video of sacc budding.

 

[kcpup]

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/sys/2575287392.html

Trying to figure out what to target when looking at craigslist.

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

 

[GodsStepBrother]

This picture is so interesting. From Brewing Science and Practice,

“The Mean Cell size increases with generational age. For any given strain there is a rough correlation between number of bud scars and mean cell size. Using a diploid lager yeast strain Barker and Smart (1996) reported that the mean cell volume of virgin daughter cells was approximately 150 um3. Cells, which had undergone around 20 rounds of budding and where approaching the end of their life spans, had mean cell volumes of approximately 850 um3. “

Could be the picture below. Hmmm.

 

[PoppinCaps]

Kcpup, that's a good price for a semi-serious scope for brewing. Maybe it doesn't have the optical superiority as an Olympus or Leica, but you don't need publication worthy images (other than for HBT posts, that is...). For an inverted, binocular scope ( that works, make sure), solid find. You can get fancy and add a camera and such later via one of the eye pieces.

 

[kcpup]

Kcpup, that's a good price for a semi-serious scope for brewing. Maybe it doesn't have the optical superiority as an Olympus or Leica, but you don't need publication worthy images (other than for HBT posts, that is...). For an inverted, binocular scope ( that works, make sure), solid find. You can get fancy and add a camera and such later via one of the eye pieces.

PoppinCaps, thank you for the feedback!

 

[passedpawn]

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/sys/2575287392.html

Trying to figure out what to target when looking at craigslist.

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

I'd jump on that. Looks almost like mine. Optics are everything of course. Just buy it and hope for the best.

I think I see an Abbe condensor, X/Y stage controls, slide clip, that thing is an Olympus CH clone. The 100x is probably an oil immersion lens, which uses oil on the slide. You can find more info on that by searching. Make sure to as the seller if there is a 40x objective.

 

[passedpawn]

Here's a quick video that shows 40x, 200x, and 400x. I can see a lot more in the eyepiece than my photos and video show... I'm not getting the field of view for some reason.

I had to take apart my webcam tonight and remove the lens to get this to work... check it out. I will get better at this. I am going to make a PVC tube to extend the distance of the webcam from the objective and see if that helps.

 

[passedpawn]

FYI, here's a pic of my webcam taped to the eyepiece tube (eyepiece optics removed, and also the webcam lens removed (had to desolder a couple of pads there - probably to the zoom lens inside it). This only took a few minutes to do and worked surprisingly well. Very happy with quick result.

 

[passedpawn]

I just did a count on a Bo Pils that's been in keg for 1 wk @ 50, 3 days @ 35F.

I counted 130k cells per ml. Sounds like a lot, but it didn't look like a lot. Beer is a bit hazy (I didn't gelatin it like normal).

 

[Reno_eNVy]

I love the beautiful juxtaposition of the great, shiney technology coupled with the jerry-rigged webcam.

Cool video though.

 

[Daybis]

This thread makes me want to start my own yeast lab. hehe

 

[kcpup]

PassedPawn, would this microscope work ok?

Costco - Celestron Touch Screen LCD Deluxe Digital Microscope

Thanks for your input

 

[passedpawn]

PassedPawn, would this microscope work ok?

Costco - Celestron Touch Screen LCD Deluxe Digital Microscope

Thanks for your input

That would be great if it did, wouldn't it!

400x is perfect for counting in a counting chamber, so the magnification is plenty. All the nice features there make it look like the greatest deal ever seen in microscopy. Unfortunately, you know what they say about deals "too good to be true".

Those who seem to know about these kinds of things say that scopes like these are a waste of money because the optics are crap and only result in frustration. But if I were you I'd try get a live demo on one of those things, dial it to 400x (40x objective), and ask yourself if you could clearly resolve yeast cells on that screen. The screen resolution is going to GREATLY affect the usefulness of that scope.

They list a mechanical stage, which presumably allows you controls in X and Y, but at magnfication it might not give smooth movement and fine-enough adjustment to be useful. This would another thing to check.

I'm sceptical, but for $200 I'd absolutely buy one if it even barely worked. Besides, with the digital photo/video, it would also save you from the kludge I've been using to get pics of the cells.

 

[jmf143]

passedpawn, if you're taking requests for your "to do" list, could you count the number of cells in a bottle conditioned beer - say a Bell's Amber or Pale Ale?

 

[kcpup]

BTW, PassedPawn, if I buy a traditional microsope (as opposed to that LCD one I just asked you about) I was considering this as an add on.

Amazon.com: Celestron Digital Microscope Imager: Industrial & Scientific

This may not be high enough MP for you, but thought I'd pass it along. At the lower magnification (40x included), people are saying it does a decent job...

 

[passedpawn]

passedpawn, if you're taking requests for your "to do" list, could you count the number of cells in a bottle conditioned beer - say a Bell's Amber or Pale Ale?

All right. I'll be picking up a bells 2-hearted this wkend (just made a clone and want to do a comparison). I'll give it a good shake to get the yeast into suspension and do that. It only takes a minute (after I get the dilution right, but I suspect I won't have to do that with bottled beer). I'll probably mess around with video again and post some more of that.

 

[passedpawn]

BTW, PassedPawn, if I buy a traditional microsope (as opposed to that LCD one I just asked you about) I was considering this as an add on.

cool. So many toys, so little time.

 

[jmf143]

All right. I'll be picking up a bells 2-hearted this wkend (just made a clone and want to do a comparison). I'll give it a good shake to get the yeast into suspension and do that. It only takes a minute (after I get the dilution right, but I suspect I won't have to do that with bottled beer). I'll probably mess around with video again and post some more of that.

I should have been more specific - how about just from the dregs of the bottle, as that is what I'd be trying to culture.

 

[passedpawn]

I should have been more specific - how about just from the dregs of the bottle, as that is what I'd be trying to culture.

I haven't gotten around to getting stains, so I can't determine viability. That would be a significant concern. But thanks for the reminder. Stains are dirt cheap online, and I think I'll get them for some fun during Christmas holidays.

 

[DakotaRules]

I'm soooo jealous! I want a microscope! My wife thinks I'm even more of a nerd for asking for one for Christmas.

 

[passedpawn]

passedpawn, if you're taking requests for your "to do" list, could you count the number of cells in a bottle conditioned beer - say a Bell's Amber or Pale Ale?

OK, saved my dregs from a bottle of 2-hearted this wkend.

Amount of dregs: 24ml (355ml in a bottle)
Cells per ml: 850,000
Total cells in dregs / bottle: 302 million
​

That sounds about right, too.

 

[jmf143]

OK, saved my dregs from a bottle of 2-hearted this wkend.

Amount of dregs: 24ml (355ml in a bottle)
Cells per ml: 850,000
Total cells in dregs / bottle: 302 million
​

That sounds about right, too.

Thanks for doing this passedpawn. I appreciate the work you did.

Is 302 million the total number of cells and not just the viable ones? You talked about getting stain so you could differentiate the cells - I'm assuming you haven't gotten it yet.

 

[smokinghole]

What type of stain are you looking to get? I count yeast a lot for viability and I am in the process of switching from methylene blue to alkaline methylene violet. The dye used to make the latter is methylene violet 3RAX. I have only really found it a Sigma Aldrich and they require you be a company or something order. I also believe that the dye is mixed into a glycine buffered alkaline solution. I made a little order mix up last time I sent something to the purchasing department, and neglected to include the dry dye in my order list. The cool thing is with the 1gram of dry dye you get a TON of solution to use. You simply take .1gram into 1L and 100ml of that stock is used to make 1L of actual die. So as you can see for $25 1gram of dye goes a real long ******* way when you're using 1ml per sample. Your other option would be to order 100ml worth I think from White Labs. It's expensive compared to buying the ingredients in terms of what you get but it'd sure be easier.

My school has a very high end scope that I just found out has a sweet ass camera attached. As soon as this semester is over (its finals week now) my prof will show me how to not screw it up since it's like $50k, and then they'll set me free to take pictures of whatever I want.

If you need any help or info let me know.

 

[passedpawn]

Thanks for doing this passedpawn. I appreciate the work you did.

Is 302 million the total number of cells and not just the viable ones? You talked about getting stain so you could differentiate the cells - I'm assuming you haven't gotten it yet.

Don't have dye yet. That was the total. Sorry, should have made that clear.

 

[passedpawn]

What type of stain are you looking to get? I count yeast a lot for viability and I am in the process of switching from methylene blue to alkaline methylene violet. The dye used to make the latter is methylene violet 3RAX. I have only really found it a Sigma Aldrich and they require you be a company or something order. I also believe that the dye is mixed into a glycine buffered alkaline solution. I made a little order mix up last time I sent something to the purchasing department, and neglected to include the dry dye in my order list. The cool thing is with the 1gram of dry dye you get a TON of solution to use. You simply take .1gram into 1L and 100ml of that stock is used to make 1L of actual die. So as you can see for $25 1gram of dye goes a real long ******* way when you're using 1ml per sample. Your other option would be to order 100ml worth I think from White Labs. It's expensive compared to buying the ingredients in terms of what you get but it'd sure be easier.

My school has a very high end scope that I just found out has a sweet ass camera attached. As soon as this semester is over (its finals week now) my prof will show me how to not screw it up since it's like $50k, and then they'll set me free to take pictures of whatever I want.

If you need any help or info let me know.

I was planning on buying methylene blue. Why are you considering going to the violet stain?

 

[pnh2atl]

The Brewing Science Institute out in Colorado Springs has a "Basic Brewing Microbiology Workshop" every year. I took it last year and it was well worth the time and effort. Here is the link if you might be interested. BSI - providing microbrewers with fresh ale and lager yeast, laboratory analysis and microbiological expertise. During the class I met a couple of guys from Upslope Brewing and was able to spend the day brewing with them on their 7bbl system too.

 

[smokinghole]

I was planning on buying methylene blue. Why are.you considering going to the violet stain.

The reason for the switch was everything I keep reading about the accuracy of Methylene blue.

Rather than repeat the discussion in the easiest to reference source here's the link. Starting around page 142 is what I'm talking about. You may find other sections of the book interesting as well. Essentially it comes down to accuracy and ease of use. If you look at some of the data in the book you can see heat killed yeast still showed unrealistically high viability with methylene blue.

Brewing Yeast Fermentation Performance

 

[wegz15]

So I stopped by my moms to find my dads old scopes. One is a reichert jung series 40 with a 100x and 200x objectives. The second one is a bausch & laumb khs (I think) with 40x,100x, 400x, and 1000x.

 

[lou2row]

I just bought a microscope for at work for doing algae counts. I may pm some of you guys when I get around to playing with it and have questions.

 

[wegz15]

So I was playing around with the scope. I thought it was messed up because I was seeing double. My wife said she isn't seeing double. Would lasik make this happen?