Ask A Scientist Molecular Biology Archive

name         Amy
status       other
age          20s  

Question -   I want to conduct a hand washing experiment in which I vary
scrub time, soap amt, & temp of H20. What type of nutrient agar plate
should I use?  I don't know which type to order...there are so many.
Also, what conditions do the agar plates need to be in pre and during
the experiment? thanks, Amy

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Plain nutrient agar should be fine.  You will want to have the agar in a
liquid state (molten, temp. 45-50 degrees C-any cooler and it will
solidify).  The agar can be melted by boiling, and then held in a water
bath at 45 degrees until use.  Then pour it into a sterile plastic petri
dish and put your fingertips into the molten agar.  Let the agar
solidify and then incubate it upside down in an incubator at 37 degrees
C for 24 hrs. or at room temperature for 48 hrs.

Good luck

vanhoeck
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