To make your own nutrient agar plates:
- Remove the lid and heat the nutrient agar bottle in the microwave for about 1 minute, or until it becomes liquid (agar is a fairly firm gel at room temperature)
- Pour the liquified nutrient agar into sterile petri dishes and let it cool
- Inoculate the agar plate with whatever bacteria culture you choose. ...
Can You microwave agar stock?
1) When you make you agar stock, don’t make full bottles that leave no room for the heated liquid to expand. Fill bottles halfway. 2) Take the lid off the bottle before microwaving; it will prevent pressure build-up inside the bottle and prevent the lid from becoming a projectile inside the microwave.
How do you heat agar in the microwave?
First turn off the lid of the bottle. Place it in the microwave. Set the microwave to 1 minute… Wait… Another minute?.. Another?… KSHHHHHHHHH…. And then the whole bottle of agar medium is found back on the sides and bottom of the microwave, instead of INSIDE the bottle…
How do you sterilize agar agar plates?
Sterilization of agar and plates is usually done in an autoclave machine, which reaches much higher temperatures than microwaves, and are designed for sterilization. If you're working at a research facility it's standard to have one.
Can I sterilize glass petri dishes and melted agar in microwave oven?
I was wondering if I could sterilize glass petri dishes and melted agar in a microwave oven and how long would I put it on for, if possible? Sterilization of agar and plates is usually done in an autoclave machine, which reaches much higher temperatures than microwaves, and are designed for sterilization.
How do you heat up agar?
0:202:53How to Melt and Pour Agar Plates - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI'm using a simple hot pot. Be sure not to preheat your water because if you do the bottle mayMoreI'm using a simple hot pot. Be sure not to preheat your water because if you do the bottle may shatter when you put it in don't use a microwave as this can make a steam bubble in the agar.
How do you heat up nutrient agar?
Warm the agar bottle in a hot water bath or in the microwave on medium for about one minute or until it becomes liquid. Opening the petri dish as little as possible, hold the petri dish's lid directly over the petri dish while pouring the agar to help prevent contamination from air-borne particles.
Can you liquify agar?
In fact, there is a very easy way to re-liquefy your agar, so fear not! We do this frequently in the lab, as it is common practice to make a batch of agar media, pour it into glass bottles, let it solidify, then heat the agar when needed to pour Petrie plates.
Can you remelt LB agar?
To re-liquify the agar, we have access to a steam chamber (not an autoclave, although that can also be used). This melts the agar in about 1-1.5 hours and avoids the spurting caused by microwaving the solid agar. To answer your first question, you can put the molten agar at 55-60 C to store it for a few hours.
How do you microwave agar plates?
0:081:07Melting LB Agar Using a Microwave - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPut the agar in a microwave safe bottle add 500 mils of deionized. Water close the lid and shake itMorePut the agar in a microwave safe bottle add 500 mils of deionized. Water close the lid and shake it to mix loosen the lid.
Why must you be careful not to overheat agar in the microwave when preparing plates?
No, it could become contaminated.
Can you use agar agar without boiling?
Agar needs to 'bloom' or rehydrate in liquid first for 8-10 minutes before applying heat to activate the thickening agent in the agar. Agar must be heated to 85-90°C or it won't melt, but make sure to not let it boil for too long past melting point as this can harm its gelling ability.
At what temperature does agar agar dissolve?
Agar may be dispersed in either hot or cold medium. Hydration (dissolution) occurs at temperatures above 90°C; heating the solution to a boil is necessary for gelling. Setting occurs at 35-45°C, and onset is rapid (within minutes). Melting of agar gels occurs at 80-90°C.
At what temperature does agar melts?
Agar is an ideal solidifying agent for microbiological media because of its melting properties and because it has no nutritive value for the vast majority of bacteria. Solid agar melts at about100°C; liquid agar solidifies at about 42°C.
Can I reheat solidified agar?
Selective agar products should not be re-melted. Further heating may reduce the selectivity of the medium, as many selective components are heat labile. Antibiotic supplements can be added after the base medium has been re-melted.
How long does cooked agar agar last?
Agar jelly can stay in the fridge for up to 4 to 5 days. This is enough time to hold the shape and texture of the jelly. According to others, it can also stay in the fridge for up to a week (but nothing more) without ruining the structure.
Can agar be autoclaved again?
first dissolve your media powder and than add agar. you need to dissolve the agar properly by heating in oven so that no lumps are formed. after that you can autoclave it. there is no point in adding agar after autoclaving and than again autoclaving.
At what temperature does agar melts?
Agar is an ideal solidifying agent for microbiological media because of its melting properties and because it has no nutritive value for the vast majority of bacteria. Solid agar melts at about100°C; liquid agar solidifies at about 42°C.
How do you dispense a nutrient agar plate?
Semisolid Nutrient Agar Mix 0.75 g nutrient agar and 1.3 g nutrient broth in 100 ml distilled water, and heat to 100°C to dissolve the ingredients (place the flask in a boiling water bath). Dispense the medium in 5–7 ml amounts in screw-cap bottles. Sterilize by autoclaving (with caps loosened) at 121°C for 15 minutes.
How do you sterilize agar without an autoclave?
1:363:00EdvoTech Tips: Sterilization without an Autoclave - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAccording to the product literature electric pressure cookers can reach the correct temperature.MoreAccording to the product literature electric pressure cookers can reach the correct temperature.
Is nutrient agar solid or liquid?
solid mediumNutrient agar and nutrient broth are two types of growths used to grow microorganisms. The main difference between nutrient agar and nutrient broth is that nutrient agar is a solid medium whereas nutrient broth is a liquid medium. Agar is added to the nutrient agar in order to solidify the medium.
CharonY
Microwaving at least in normal ovens is comparatively inefficient. Cooking agar in it for instance is not much more (if at all) more efficient than normal cooking. The heating is too heterogenous. Also, for efficient sterilization you need heating above 100° C, which only work with some overpressure.
Paralith
I was wondering if I could sterilize glass petri dishes and melted agar in a microwave oven and how long would I put it on for, if possible?
CharonY
Actually an autoclave is not much hotter per se. The main trick is that it maintains overpressure allowing liquids to be heated up to 120° C. Essentially it is a steamcooker. Essentially you can use one to sterilize your media.
ecoli
Actually an autoclave is not much hotter per se. The main trick is that it maintains overpressure allowing liquids to be heated up to 120° C. Essentially it is a steamcooker. Essentially you can use one to sterilize your media.
CharonY
Ehm, not really. It prevents agar from overboiling during the cooldown. You usually open autoclaves between 80 and 90°C, temperatures at which agar is still very liquid. They solidify roughly ~40°C.
CharonY
In theory yes, however the field created within the oven is quite inhomogenous. Very small particles (as bacteria) can quite easily be missed.
ecoli
Ehm, not really. It prevents agar from overboiling during the cooldown. You usually open autoclaves between 80 and 90°C, temperatures at which agar is still very liquid. They solidify roughly ~40°C.
Vibration Active Member
I boiled my agar for 30 minutes yesterday, but something happened and I forgot about it. I left it cooling and as I came back it was solid.
nomendubium scraping by, since '97 Expert Identifier
yea, it will reliquify. I discovered the easy way to clean my 1/4 pint elites is to put them in the microwave for 2 minutes and then dump the liquid out
Vibration Active Member
But how long for should I PC? Maybe as soon as it reaches 15psi I lift it off the heat?
Major Myc pasture pirate Mushroom Doctor
to sterilize it you want to cook at least thirty mins at fifteen psi, if it's already sterilized you can liquify it in a hot water bath, boiling water. just make sure you have a pressure release on the agar jar, like unscrew the lid so steam can get out or use a poly fil filter in the lid to let the steam out.
Vibration Active Member
But I have my agar in 1L glass bottle. You're saying I will ruin it by PC'ing?
Major Myc pasture pirate Mushroom Doctor
no i pc'd mine for way too long, i was sterilizing some poo and decided i would throw the agar jars in with it, the poo needs two hours to sterilize and that was way too long for the agar, it turned to something like apple sauce.
OoBYCoO Super Moderator Moderator Mushroom Doctor
I boiled my agar for 30 minutes yesterday, but something happened and I forgot about it. I left it cooling and as I came back it was solid.
