The cultivation and investigation of strictly anaerobic microorganisms belong to the fields of anaerobic microbial physiology, microbiology, and biotechnology. Anaerobic cultivation methods differ from classic microbiological techniques in several aspects. The requirement for special instruments, which are designed to prevent the contact of the specimen with air/molecular oxygen by different means of manipulation, makes this field more challenging for general research compared to working with aerobic microorganisms. Anaerobic microbiological methods are required for many purposes, such as for the isolation and characterization of new species and their physiological examination, as well as for anaerobic biotechnological applications or medical indications. This review presents the historical development of methods for the cultivation of strictly anaerobic microorganisms focusing on methanogenic archaea, anaerobic cultivation methods that are still widely used today, novel methods for anaerobic cultivation, and almost forgotten, but still relevant, techniques.

Archaea Physiology and Biotechnology Group Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology Universität Wien 1030 Wien Austria

Laboratory of Anaerobic Microorganisms Section of Microbiology Department of Experimental Biology Faculty of Science Masaryk University 62500 Brno Czech Republic

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Proof-of-concept MALDI-TOF-MS assay for the detection of Toxin B enzymatic activity in Clostridioides difficile infection

Anoxygenic photosynthesis with emphasis on green sulfur bacteria and a perspective for hydrogen sulfide detoxification of anoxic environments

Microbiological insight into various underground gas storages in Vienna Basin focusing on methanogenic Archaea