A Note on the Effect of Nebulization Time and Pressure on the Culturability of Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas fluorescens

Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas fluorescens were nebulized in a 3 jet nebulizer at 5 or 20 psi for 60 min. Aliquots were withdrawn from the nebulizer reservoir and plated on tryptic soy agar (TSA) and minimal agar (MA). Culturable concentrations of both organisms decreased over the 60 min period for both pressures. Injury to P. fluorescens and B. subtilis occurred within the first 1-5 min of nebulization at both pressures. Total cell concentration estimates by hemacytometer increased with increased nebulization time for both organisms at both pressures, which was likely due to deaggregation of agglomerates.