Extended Data Fig. 5: Overview of parameters in flow cytometry for cell count.

A consistent method for gating and staining was utilised in flow cytometry. The solutions, both control and sample, were dyed using SYBR Green I. Fluorescent events were recorded using the Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) 525/40 nm fluorescence channels along with the Side Scatter Channel SSC-A (a and e). Distribution of detected bacterial cells was verified using backward gating on the FSC-A and SSC-A dot plot (b and f), the FITC histogram (c and g), and the FITC combined with PerCP dot plot (d and h). Bacterial cells with confirmed detection displayed similar sizes and fluorescence intensities, presenting a distinct peak that follows a normal distribution.