How To Use The Iron Oxidizing Bacteria Detection Tube?

Iron-oxidizing bacteria (IOB) appear widely in groundwater, industrial recirculation water, oilfield injection water, and natural environments. When their numbers grow unchecked, they cause scale build-up in pipes, degrade water quality, and corrode equipment. Our iron-oxidizing bacteria test tubes pair a tailored culture medium with statistical methods to deliver fast, reliable IOB counts in both field and lab settings. Use these results to guide water treatment and maintenance decisions.

Product Overview

Our IOB test tube provides a single-use, vacuum-sealed anaerobic culture system with a special medium that promotes IOB growth.

• Capacity & Packaging
  • Volume per tube: 9 mL
  • Packaging: 8 tubes per pack; 1,200 tubes per carton
  • Choose packs to suit both laboratory and on-site needs
• Suitable Samples
  • Drinking water, groundwater, and well water
  • Industrial cooling-loop water and boiler feed water
  • Oilfield injection water, geothermal fluids, and core leachates

Detection Principle

This method combines the Most Probable Number (MPN) technique with color change:

1. Prepare a series of ten-fold dilutions and inoculate each tube.
2. Incubate under vacuum at 28 ± 2 °C for 5–10 days, during which IOB oxidizes Fe²⁺ into Fe³⁺.
3. Watch the medium change from brown to pale yellow or clear—this marks a positive tube.
4. Use an MPN table or formula to calculate IOB counts based on the number of positive tubes at each dilution.

This approach avoids the limits of plate counts and works well even when IOB abundance is low or when strains resist plating.

Preparation Before Testing

1. Collect Water Samples
   • Use sterile glass or plastic containers and tools.
   • Minimize air exposure. If the sample is cloudy, filter it through a 0.45 µm membrane to remove debris without harming the IOB.
2. Check & Store Test Tubes
   • Verify that the medium appears uniform and free of sediment. Ensure seals stay airtight.
   • Store tubes at about 4 °C, away from light. Don’t freeze or expose them to direct sunlight.
   • Remove tubes from the refrigerator 30 minutes before use so they reach room temperature.

Procedure

1. Label & Group
   • Mark each tube with its dilution level and replicate number.
   • Run at least three tubes per dilution to boost accuracy.
2. Dilute & Inoculate
   • Draw 1 mL of the original sample with a sterile syringe or pipette, inject it into Tube 1, cap it, and invert gently.
   • Transfer 1 mL from Tube 1 to Tube 2, and repeat until you reach the final dilution.
   • Repeat the same steps for each set of replicates.
3. Seal & Incubate
   • Confirm every tube remains tightly sealed. Place all tubes in an incubator at 28 ± 2 °C.
   • Keep them in the dark and avoid shaking or tilting to preserve anaerobic conditions.

Cultivation Conditions & Observation

• Temperature & Humidity
  • Maintain 28 ± 2 °C. Adjust slightly based on your IOB strain.
  • Prevent excess humidity in the incubator to avoid condensation on tube exteriors.
• Incubation Period
  • Check after 5–7 days. Extend up to 10 days for very low IOB levels.
  • Do not disturb tubes until you see cloudiness or sediment.
• Record Results
  • Note color changes daily.
  • Photograph or log entries to ensure traceable data.

Quality Control & Precautions

• Maintain sterile technique throughout to prevent contamination.
• Repeat critical samples and average the outcomes.
• Include an uninoculated control tube to check for background color shifts.
• If every tube turns positive or negative unexpectedly, review your dilution, inoculation, and incubation steps.
• Wear gloves and safety glasses. Rinse skin or eyes immediately with water and seek medical attention if needed.

Typical Applications

• Oilfield Injection Water: Track IOB levels to prevent scale and production halts.
• Industrial Cooling Water: Pair IOB data with other microbial tests to fine-tune biocide dosing.
• Environmental Monitoring: Study microbial iron oxidation in surface and groundwater surveys.
• Research & Education: Offer a consistent, repeatable platform for microbiology labs.

Professional Recommendations

1. Schedule regular tests—monthly or quarterly—based on your operation’s needs.
2. Combine IOB counts with dissolved oxygen, conductivity, and pH readings for a full water-quality profile.
3. Keep digital records of IOB trends to inform maintenance and process improvements.
4. Collaborate with specialized labs or universities to refine methods and identify strains.

Summary

Following proper sampling, clear procedures, and MPN analysis, you can quickly and accurately quantify IOB using these test tubes. Monitoring microbial changes helps protect equipment, maintain water quality, and ensure safe operations.