Would this be any good for counting yeast in a homebrew lab?

[brewtim]

http://www.maplin.co.uk/usb-digital-mic ... ion-286566

 

[PD]

You would be able to see the yeasts without problem, but who do you get to "count " them ??
There are billions of yeast cells in a sample of yeast solution.

and why would you want to count them ?

 

[bunkerbrewer]

why would you want to count them ?

Counting is useful if you've got a container full of reclaimed yeast and you want to figure out the cell density before pitching or making a starter.

You would be able to see the yeasts without problem, but who do you get to "count " them ??
There are billions of yeast cells in a sample of yeast solution.

The trick is a microscope plate with a tiny grid of lines - you count a sample in a few squares and extrapolate up. Flicking through the "Yeast" book, the correct term is "Hemocytometer". Looks like you aim for 50-100 cells in a square.

brewtim: it's well worth grabbing White & Jainasheff's "Yeast" if you don't have a copy...

 

[brewtim]

why would you want to count them ?

Counting is useful if you've got a container full of reclaimed yeast and you want to figure out the cell density before pitching or making a starter.

You would be able to see the yeasts without problem, but who do you get to "count " them ??
There are billions of yeast cells in a sample of yeast solution.

The trick is a microscope plate with a tiny grid of lines - you count a sample in a few squares and extrapolate up. Flicking through the "Yeast" book, the correct term is "Hemocytometer". Looks like you aim for 50-100 cells in a square.

brewtim: it's well worth grabbing White & Jainasheff's "Yeast" if you don't have a copy...

Yes, I've got a copy of the book, it's a bloody good read (haven't quite digested the counting yeast bit though) :thumb:

I saw this scope up for sale on Maplin and just knew someone with knowledge would be along :grin: I like how it is USB powered, small and lightweight and plasticky robust and you can capture images which would make for easy counting, is it powerful enough though?

 

[brewtim]

is it powerful enough though?

I think I've just answered my own question:

http://youtu.be/gnGuydKbpbQ