← Elaine Ingham · Research and publications
How active are fungi? Ingham’s study of FDA staining
A 1982 study connects fungal hyphal staining with activity indicators, including oxygen and glucose consumption.
Study published: · Sources checked: 22 October 2026
From presence to activity
Elaine Ingham and David Klein examined the relationship between fluorescein diacetate (FDA) staining and fungal activity. They grew Penicillium citrinum and Rhizoctonia solani in liquid cultures, varying initial glucose concentration and aeration. [1]
What they compared
The researchers compared stained hyphae with oxygen and glucose consumption, biomass and growth rate. Their aim was to quantify what staining could reveal about activity. [1]
What the measurements showed
Changes in the percentage of stained hyphae correlated significantly with changes in activity indicators. Relationships differed between the two fungi, and growth stage also influenced the proportion of stained hyphae. The work supports using the method under the culture conditions examined. [1]
A question for our microscopy training
For our Center, the study offers a starting point for discussing observation and measurement: which question does each method answer, and how is its interpretation checked? We aim to record the method and sample preparation alongside the image observed. The study concerns FDA staining in laboratory cultures; applying its findings to complex soil samples calls for separate assessment.
This presentation draws on the published scientific abstract. The educational connection with our Center’s work is our editorial synthesis.
Sources and references
- Ingham, E. R. & Klein, D. A. (1982). Relationship between fluorescein diacetate-stained hyphae and oxygen utilization, glucose utilization, and biomass of submerged fungal batch cultures. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 44(2), 363–370. DOI: 10.1128/aem.44.2.363-370.1982
- Publisher page and scientific abstract
- Original paper at PubMed Central