How to prepare and grow bacteria

Today we were taught how to prepare a nutrient agar in a sterile environment and how to inoculate it with a bacteria JL.

its important to remember to prepare a ‘non-selective’ nutrient in a sterile environment to ensure only the bacteria you inoculate it with will grow on the surface

• Step 1 Measure the correct nutrient agar needed to grow your bacteria

• Step 2 Autoclave the mixed media. This is to make sure the nutrients are sterile

• Step 3 Wipe down your surface with 70% ethanol Use a flame to create a ‘sterile umbrella’. This will ensure a ±30 cm radius around the flame is sterile.

• Step 4 Pouring the nutrients into the petri dishes, you need to make sure it is always done within the sterile zone. its a good idea to write the labels on the bottom side before starting the work. this makes it easier and quicker

• Step 5 To inoculate the nutrients you spread the bacteria with an inoculation loop spreading it in a zigzag pattern.

• Step 6 Seal it with parafilm, making sure its labeled with contents : date : name