Dirty Money

1. Matt Larson–Simon Missy Boevers Cory Haeffner Scott Suhr Dirty Money INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this experiment was to observe the normal micro flora found on money obtained from local establishments. • MATERIALS AND METHODS: • Materials • Money from five local banks and businesses • Trypticase Soy Broth • Hytachi 2406 Scanning Electron Microscope, dehydration solution, sputter coater • Methods • A subsample of bills were immersed in 25 ml of Tryp Soy Broth, and incubated at room temperature for four days. • Samples were removed from broth and fumigated in 37% formaldehyde fumes for 48 hours. • Samples were dehydrated with a 5% to 100 % ethanol series finished with HMDS. Samples were exposed for five minutes solution except for 100% and HMDS (ten minutes). • Samples were air dried on microscope stubs and sputter-coated with gold. • Images were taken using a Hitachi 2406 SEM in the SE mode. Results: First National Bank, Waverly, 11k magnification Hy-Vee, 1k magnification Hy-Vee, 10k magnification Pizza Ranch, Waverly, 10k magnification First National Bank, Waverly, 1k magnification Covenant Hospital, 10k magnification • Conclusion • Money does have a significant amount and diversity of micro flora