Getting Ready for the Temperature Lab

Yesterday I received a freeze-dried sample of Streptococcus salivarius and a slant of Bacillus stearothermophilus from Carolina Biological. The freeze-dried sample was easy to revitalize except I really needed a 5mL pipette that was sterile. The only ones we had that were sterile were 10mL and that wouldn't fit into the container the sample came in. In my opinion, they should have shipped one with it or at least let you know that you must have one.

I also made nutrient broth cultures so the students can make culture transfers for me in class today after they finish the Antiseptic/Disinfectant lab. I mixed up 200 mL of nutrient broth to make the 12 tubes and probably had enough left over to do another 2-4 tubes. Each tube contains 10mL of broth.

I also did something different with the autoclave yesterday to speed up the process during 4th block. In the morning, I got the broth made, and aliquoted the broth into the tubes, and placed them into the incubator. I had already put water in the base. I got everything ready to go except putting the oil on the seal and placing the lid on the autoclave. About 1:30, I came into the lab and plugged in the autoclave, put oil on the seal, and put the lid on it so it could begin heating. I left the exhaust valve closed. At the very beginning of 4th block, I check on it and there was absolutely no danger. In fact, I could have probably turned it on 30 minutes earlier, but for sure another 15 minutes earlier wouldn't have hurt.

I need to make 800mL of nutrient agar today for the Temperature Lab for Monday. It takes 3 plates per group (one for each temperature). Probably 6 per group would be better, but I'm getting low on Petri dishes.