PAImagem: a tool for image area quantification in microbiology

Abstract

Measuring microbial growth is a major subject in microbiology. The growth measurement methodology, although simple and low cost, has some disadvantages, such as being a repetitive process, requiring prolonged times, and above all, its results depend on the analyst’s observation, and irregular growths are approached subjectively. In this way, the objective was to develop and validate an application that aims to assist in the quantification of areas in microbiology through digital images, in order to provide an alternative to the conventional method. PAImagem was developed using the Java language, conceived from a objective-driven design, and with Human-Computer Interface quality criteria. The validation of this tool was based on monitoring the growth of Glomerella cingulata fungus, carried out with manual measurement and image capture. Data were acquired every 24 hours for 14 days, assessing normal and adverse growth conditions. Through the Pearson coefficient, a high correlation (R = 0.99) was observed between the radius detected using a ruler, and the one calculated from the area obtained by PAImagem. The present tool proved to be of great value for use in researches involving microorganisms, optimizing the time of trials in laboratories.