Direct acridine orange counting of bacteria preserved with acidified lugol iodine.
Acidified and nonacidified Lugol iodine solution was tested under several storage temperatures and at several times as a preservative for marine bacteria. Direct counts with acridine orange showed no significant difference between glutaraldehyde- and Lugol iodine solution-preserved samples under any storage temperature when samples were counted within 1 week of collection. Specimens in long-term (up to 6 months) storage required refrigeration and treatment with acidified Lugol iodine solution for adequate preservation. Lugol iodine solution-preserved bacteria appeared intact under scanning electron microscopy. Lugol iodine solution did not preserve chlorophyll autofluorescence in phytoplankton.
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Institute of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602.