10 replies to this topic

[c0ok1e]

Im an amateur researcher and I just got into the mucrobiology field. Before this I was doing animal science. I hope to learn more about the basics and principles of microbiology. I have been trying to figure this out but couldnt get any information on the net. They didnt explain why..

I would like to know what is the reason behind researchers using 1.5% agar plate? What is the significance between 1.5% and other percentages? If we use 1% is there any difference?

[phage434]

This is strictly a matter of taste and convenience.  1% agar is a bit soft and is easy to tear with a loop.  1.5% agar has a harder surface.  The choice may slightly change the morphology of colonies, so if this is an important phenotypic characteristic, it might matter.  1.5% is the "normal" choice.

[c0ok1e]

phage434, on Apr 13 2009, 05:09 AM, said:

This is strictly a matter of taste and convenience.  1% agar is a bit soft and is easy to tear with a loop.  1.5% agar has a harder surface.  The choice may slightly change the morphology of colonies, so if this is an important phenotypic characteristic, it might matter.  1.5% is the "normal" choice.

so there are no published paper on the different percentage of agar used?
Then it means that the hardness of agar varies from 1 - 1.5% are not so important right.. thanks..

[pito]

c0ok1e, on Apr 13 2009, 02:44 PM, said:

phage434, on Apr 13 2009, 05:09 AM, said:

This is strictly a matter of taste and convenience.  1% agar is a bit soft and is easy to tear with a loop.  1.5% agar has a harder surface.  The choice may slightly change the morphology of colonies, so if this is an important phenotypic characteristic, it might matter.  1.5% is the "normal" choice.

so there are no published paper on the different percentage of agar used?
Then it means that the hardness of agar varies from 1 - 1.5% are not so important right.. thanks..

you could find some papers on the subject.
Like:
1 or2 or 3 but how they got the 1.5% ? No idea, I guess trail and error? Someone found out that it was good to use 1.5% and well since then... I have no idea of an article is written on why 1.5%.. but maybe you could find some references in the texts I gave that refer to some older literature that speak about the 1.5% agar.

[c0ok1e]

pito, on Apr 13 2009, 08:56 AM, said:

c0ok1e, on Apr 13 2009, 02:44 PM, said:

phage434, on Apr 13 2009, 05:09 AM, said:

This is strictly a matter of taste and convenience.  1% agar is a bit soft and is easy to tear with a loop.  1.5% agar has a harder surface.  The choice may slightly change the morphology of colonies, so if this is an important phenotypic characteristic, it might matter.  1.5% is the "normal" choice.

so there are no published paper on the different percentage of agar used?
Then it means that the hardness of agar varies from 1 - 1.5% are not so important right.. thanks..

you could find some papers on the subject.
Like:
1 or2 or 3 but how they got the 1.5% ? No idea, I guess trail and error? Someone found out that it was good to use 1.5% and well since then... I have no idea of an article is written on why 1.5%.. but maybe you could find some references in the texts I gave that refer to some older literature that speak about the 1.5% agar.

ALright thanks.. Ill look into it... Maybe its not so important after all but I just like to know my work in detail...

[why]

Some of the commercial powdered-agar media come in 1.2% of agar, but we prefer to use harder agar so we add additional agar powder when preparing.

[housemusicanl]

amateur researcher = terrorist

[Jaff]

housemusicanl, on May 12 2009, 02:46 PM, said:

amateur researcher = terrorist

An agar terrorist??? Deciding factor on agar percentages...........budget!!!!

Edited by Jaff, 10 June 2009 - 02:55 AM.

[GeorgeWolff]

We're not allowed to ask questions of terrorists with reading their Miranda rights 1st.

[phage434]

It's well known that Real Terrorists ™ use sliced boiled potatoes as culture medium.
Nothing to worry about here.

[gebirgsziege]

phage434, on Jun 11 2009, 12:35 AM, said:

It's well known that Real Terrorists ™ use sliced boiled potatoes as culture medium.
Nothing to worry about here.

Better worry about the breakfast terrorists using oatmeal!