We report here a mathematical framework for the quantitative interpretation of exponential bacterial growth measured with isothermal microcalorimetry. The method allows determination of many parameters that define the exponential growth phase. To automate the analysis, we also wrote a coding program, so that the approach could be embedded in a commercial setting. As an exemplar, we apply the method to a commercial probiotic product. The outcome was that we could identify characteristic parameters of growth (including rate constant and doubling time), and hence authenticate product quality, within 15 h. This compares favourably with the current 7–10 days required for conventional microbiological assessment (to allow release of product for bottling and marketing) via plating methods. The method would lend itself to growth analysis of single and mixed bacterial cultures.

我们在这里报告了用等温微量热法测量的指数细菌生长的定量解释的数学框架。该方法允许确定定义指数生长期的许多参数。为了自动化分析，我们还编写了一个编码程序，以便将该方法嵌入到商业环境中。作为示例，我们将该方法应用于商业益生菌产品。结果是我们可以在 15 小时内确定生长的特征参数（包括速率常数和倍增时间），从而验证产品质量。这与目前通过电镀方法进行的常规微生物评估（以允许产品用于装瓶和销售）所需的 7-10 天相比更为有利。该方法适用于单一和混合细菌培养物的生长分析。