Abstract

Dewang Deng, Allan Zipf, Y. Tilahun, G.C.Sharma, J. Jenkins and K. Lawrence

A new nematode extraction technique was established, which is based on an iso-osmotic density- gradient medium (OptiPrepTM). This technique resulted in significantly higher numbers of clean eggs and vermiform nematodes that retain higher viability (48.6%) than samples processed with the sucrose method (28.7%). Nematodes survived exposure to OptiPrepTM for 22 hours without significant mortality whereas all nematodes died in the sucrose medium. OptiPrepTM provided a suitable, non-toxic alternative to the traditional density gradient material for the isolation of nematodes. This technique is convenient and relatively simple, with the added benefit of yielding cleaner samples compared to traditional isolation techniques.