A Statistics and Analyses System of Microbial Community Level Physiological Profiles (CLPP) Based on Excel

Abstract

Microbial community level physiological profiles (CLPP) assessed using Biolog MicroPlates has effectively demonstrated the metabolic activities of multiple microbes. Due to a large volume of data, and complicated calculation process, the conventional low efficiency calculations delay the study. To empower researchers to quickly tabulate, compute, analyze and present data, we introduced A Biolog EcoPlate data statistics and analyses system (A-BEP-DSAS). It is implemented with Biolog EcoPlate data tested by an ELISA microplate reader (Molecular Devices Versamax). The data input-output process and visual calculation flow are performed using Excel table linked with built-in VBA programming language. We tested A-BEP-DSAS by data from a soil sample, and rapidly and accurately obtained the average well color development (AWCD) data, carbon source utilization, six common diversity indices and other calculation results. A-BEP-DSAS is an automated program based on Microsoft Excel VBA, with the advantages of easy operation, rapid analysis, process visualization, and also allows the user to choose the data source and optimum time for analysis.