Industrial and Pharmaceutical Microbiology

Viable but nonculturable (VBNC) Microorganisms

Viable but nonculturable (VBNC) Microorganisms are those which have lost the capability to divide but are viable that is in a state of very low metabolic activity but have the ability to become culturable once resuscitated. Current research is focused on finding of potent methods to detect these microorganisms that have significant impact on pharmaceutical industry. Ongoing development also considers potential use of VBNCs in pharmaceutical microbiology. It has been shown that numerous pathogens and non-pathogens can enter the VBNC state, and therefore it has significant implications in pharmaceutical, bioremediation, and other branches of microbiology