advantages and disadvantages of the serial dilution agar plate technique

In microbiology we perform the ten fold serial dilutions. It is the stepwise dilution of any solution or sample before testing to reduce the microbial load. Serial dilution is done before performing different isolation techniques. However, if a culture contains unknown or unwanted microbes, it is contamination.

If there are two or more microbes that are identifiable then it is a mixed culture. If the culture only has one type of microbe from a known origin it is a pure culture. Types of CulturesĬultures are classified by the number and type of species present. After incubating your microbes the growth you see on the plate or in the broth is known as the culture. Such conditions as temperature, Oxygen, etc. Microbes should be incubated at their optimal conditions.

In the clinical setting, a sample such as feces, saliva, blood or other human material, may be used to obtain the inoculum.Īfter the inoculation of media, we must allow it time to grow or to incubate. In the lab we usually use a media, such as nutrient agar plate or broth tube to grow the microbe. The first step in cultivating microbes is to obtain a small sample, known as an inoculum and to introduce it to an new environment which allows the microbe to grow.

Advantages and disadvantages of the serial dilution agar plate technique