Abstract: A method of measuring microbial activity of microbes in real time includes preparing a medium to enable microbial activity and placing the medium in operative contact with an appropriate sensor. The sensor is scanned to provide measurement electrical signals representative of position and amount of microbial activity, the sensor being responsive to a by-product of the microbial activity, such as a change in pH. The measurement signals can then be processed to provide a visual image display, and the display can visually distinguish between levels of pH activity and coordinate positions of the microbial activity.

Abstract: An electrophoretic medium best suited as a separation medium is composed of a gel solution and contains a water-soluble polymer and permits great improvement of the enzymic protein recovery character. A gel holder is provided with stopper members and thus can hold even a soft or slippery while maintaining a fixed shape thereof, thus permitting reliable separation and purification of an intended substance without possibility of denaturing of the substance. A slab type electrophoretic apparatus permits automatic detection of the electrophoretic state of a sample and automatic completion of the electrophoresis under optimum conditions without setting measurement condition, permits continuous measurement of the buffer solution temperature, which is important for obtaining an electrophoretic condition for maintaining the enzymic function, and permits separation and purification of a large quantity of an enzyme or like physiologically active substance in a very simple operation.