Microbiologists 2018

Geomicrobiology and Predictive Microbiology

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The field of Geomicrobiology is concerned with the role of microbe and microbial processes in geological and geochemical processes. This field is especially important when dealing with microorganisms in aquifers and public drinking water supplies. It includes organisms that are considered extremophiles. Extremophiles are microorganisms that live in areas considered too hostile for most. An example of an extremophile is anaerobic sulphate reducing bacteria, which lives in hyper-saline lagoons in Brazil and Australia. It is believed these bacteria may be responsible for the formation of dolmitea. A good example of a geomicrobe is Pseudomonas putidia. Geomicrobiological processes are relevant in many natural environments including aquifers, geological and geochemical processes, extreme environments like acidic, extreme temperatures and saline conditions and in metal ion reduction. Some of the most important processes include Weathering, Precipitation of carbonates and phosphates, Ocean crust support, Nuclear waste disposal and hot springs. Predictive microbiology includes responses of microorganism's to particular environmental conditions such as temperature, pH and water activity. It utilises mathematical models and computer software to graphically describe these responses. These models do not replace laboratory analysis or the training and judgment of an experienced food microbiologist. Predictive microbiological models must be used with great caution and only used by trained, experienced personnel with an understanding of the limitations of use. In all these, a prediction must only be used as a guide to the response of microorganism(s) to a particular set of environmental conditions. Food businesses should never rely solely on any predictive microbiological model to determine the safety of foods and/or processing systems. Predictive microbiological models are normally developed assuming that microbial responses are consistent. While predictive models can provide a cost effective means to minimise microbiological testing in determining shelf-life. Initiatives to develop microbiological modelling programs have been ongoing in the United States, the United Kingdom, Denmark, France, Australia and other countries for a number of years. These programs have resulted in the development of a wide range of microbiological modelling software packages becoming available on the internet for download.