Controlling the environment from a bugs view point.
This is kinda carry over from a discussion that I had with a fellow brewer this last weekend about bugs controlling their living environment so nothing else could take over their territory.
I have a buttermilk culture (lacto) that is 7 or 8 years old (time gets away from me). The culture is still excellent to use for cooking or drinking even today. The lactic acid with the alcohol has the solution at a point where other bugs can't get a foot hold.
This picture is of slants inoculated with blue mold spores. This is a common mold that everyone eats and breathes millons a day. Left to Right - Lactobacillus Delbrueckii, Brettanomyces Bruxellensis, Brettanomyces Bruxellensis, Brettanomyces Claussenii.
If you look closely at the Brettanomyces Claussenii, you will see that the mold is flowering. There is a white rod that in just above the yeast line and a fine white rod about 2/3 of the way up the slant. If you want a better picture maybe I can get one. The Brettanomyces Claussenii was not able to take over the media before the mold over powered it.
The Lactobacillus Delbrueckii created a dividing line that the mold was not able to cross.
The Brettanomyces Bruxellensis in it's left photo was able to take over the slant plus the mold tried to get a start on the side of the slant. The Brettanomyces Bruxellensis circled around it and now has the mold trapped.
The Brettanomyces Bruxellensis in the next picture has stopped the mold from entering it's territory. Notice the flat edge of the mold where it stops.
Blue mold is an interesting creature in that the surface of the mold is water repellent. Spray some of the mold with water and see what I mean.
Left to Right - Lactobacillus Delbrueckii, Brettanomyces Bruxellensis, Brettanomyces Bruxellensis, Brettanomyces Claussenii.
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/GZ ... directlink
