An indispensable tool in any microbiology laboratory is the inoculating loop. Nutrient broth is a soup like liquid medium that is poured in tubes while nutrient agar is the nutrient broth that is set into jelly form by addition of seaweed extract called agar and poured into plates. Autoclaves are mostly used for the sterilization of medical or laboratory equipment with the capacity of sterilizing a large number of materials at once. The loop is a piece of wire that is looped at one end. Tagging can be done in various ways, such as nick translation, or PCR using tagged nucleotides. This write-up is very educative. A Laminar Hood is made up of stainless steel, avoiding joints and corners to prevent the accumulation of bacterial spores. It is recommended to wear gloves. The equipment inside the oven acquire heat and pass the heat towards the center, one layer at a time which allows for effective dry heat sterilization. These techniques mainly involve methods for culturing microbes. A colony counter is used to estimate the density of a liquid culture by counting the number of CFU (colony forming units) on an agar or culture plates. Chemical sterilization. An incubator is a device that is used in the laboratories for the growth and maintenance of microorganisms and cultures. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. A water distiller is based on the principle of distillation. 4. Microbiologists use aseptic technique for a variety of procedures such as transferring cultures, inoculating media, isolation of pure cultures, and for performing microbiological tests. Homogenizer is a device used in laboratories for the mixing of various liquids and materials like tissue, plant, food, soil, and many others. Based on the absorbance of a particular wavelength, the quantitative analysis of a solution can be done. Spectrophotometry is based on the Beer-Lambert Law, which states the absorbance of light by a solution (of a particular wavelength) is directly proportional to the concentration of the substance. Microbes who can tolerate the constituents of the selective media can only grow in that selective media. An electromagnet is used to create a force required to achieve a balance with the mass of the substance, and the resulting force is displayed. The incubator is based on the principle of maintaining a proper atmosphere for the growth of microorganisms. Giemsa stain: Giemsa stain is a Romanowsky stain. as the solid backing on which test samples are taken : Petri dish: used for preparation of culture media and the culture of organisms they are in : Glass beaker: reagent storage Glass flask: gastric acid, or other fluid titration: Pasteur pipette This is the technique by which bacteria or microbes are introduced into media. A colony counter is primarily used for counting the number of colonies present on a culture plate to estimate the concentration of microorganisms in liquid culture. On a hot plate, electricity runs through the coils which have a high level of electrical resistance. The media that is to be used for growth of bacteria or any other microbes should be sterilized either by heating in an autoclave at 121oC for about 15 min. A homogenizer is primarily used to disrupt cells to acquire cell organelles for different microbiological processes. Maintenance and Storage of Microbes Techniques, A totally doable detox with re energizing, radiance-boosting results. B.Sc. It is widely used in the microbiology … Based on this principle, we can even preserve cultures over a long period of time without any change in the concentration of the microorganisms. Usually bacteria grow on any source of organic food that offers carbon compounds and nitrogen compounds. for a more extended period of time. On the sides of the tube are openings which can be adjusted with a collar to control the amount of air that can enter. An electric analytical balance uses the force necessary to counteract the mass rather than measuring the mass itself. A pH meter is primarily used to measure the acidity of pharmaceutical chemicals, cultures, soil, and water treatment plant. Variation of the incubator like a shaking incubator is also available, which allows for the continuous movement of the culture required for cell aeration and solubility studies. Would love your thoughts, please comment. Laboratory techniques in microbiology. Instruments Techniques and principals in Microbiology 1. One can accomplish the counting either manually with the touch pressure or with a digital counter. In a laboratory, hot plates are used to heat glassware and their components. Deep freezers are based on the principle that under extremely low temperatures, there is minimum microbial growth which allows for the protection and preservation of different substances. It involves use of enrichment media that will help in growth of particular bacteria against the other that are present in the given sample because of its specialized nutrient utilization capability and other such metabolic properties. Once the burner is connected to a gas source, the gas is forced by the gas pressure so that the gas reaches the top where the flame is ignited with a match or a lighter. This burner is made with a metal tube on a flat base with a gas inlet at the bottom of the tube, which may have an adjustable valve. Different types of tags can be used, therefore different targets can be detected in the same sample simultaneously (multi-colour FISH). They have both positive as well as negative effects. A hot air oven is an electrical device that is used for sterilization of medical equipment or samples using dry heat. An analytical balance is a type of balance that is commonly used for the measurement of mass in the sub-milligram range. Carbon is used for respiration and nitrogen compound is used for growth. Even though we will never know for certain the true phylogeny of any organism, phylogenetic analysis provides best assumptions, thereby providing a framework for various disciplines in microbiology. Microbiology, the scientific study of microorganisms, a diverse group of generally minute simple life-forms, including bacteria, algae, and viruses. Source and finished drinking waters are vulnerable to microbial pathogen contamination from a variety of sources of human and animal fecal wastes and from the introduction and proliferation of nonfecal pathogenic microbes. Filtration method; Heat method of sterilization. The amount of time and the temperature depends on the type of material being sterilized and the increase in temperature of the cycle allows for shorter periods. An inoculating loop is used for transferring the microorganism. For balancing pH several combinations of chemicals can be utilized. The standard source of carbon for bacteria is glucose and for nitrogen it is peptones. A fundamental and important laboratory skill in the field of microbiology. It is used in the preparation step before the extraction and purification of different macromolecules like proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids. Career and Job Opportunities after B.Sc Biology, Isolation, propagation and quantification of Hepatitis E virus, Top 50 Research Topics in Molecular Biology, Are you beating the odds? Diagnostic microbiology. Vortex mixer is mostly used for the mixing of various sample fluids in the sample tubes and also allows for the homogenization of cells and cell organelles. This prevents the rising of hot air towards the top while keeping the cold air at the bottom. This allows for the adequate heating of materials inside the oven. Deep freezers are used in laboratories to store and preserve medical equipment, food items, blood samples, medicines, and injections, etc. So, now let’s have a discussion on some of the basic techniques involved in microbiology. Image created with biorender.com. B.Sc. The field is concerned with the structure, function, and classification of such organisms and with ways of … Microbes have extreme importance in our day today lives. There are several culture techniques. The most common technique is by spreading on the surface of the agar or in the broth with the help of a heat sterilized loop. Types of sterilization Although there are many techniques of sterilization available out there, heat and chemical method is widely employed to sterile metals and food substances. In a microbiology laboratory, a spectrophotometer is applied for the measurement of substance concentration of protein, nucleic acids, bacterial growth, and enzymatic reactions. Other than that microbiology is also an applied science that assists agriculture, environmental sector, health and medicine and the growing biotechnology industry. Water Bath is a conventional device that is used for chemical reactions that required a controlled environment at a constant temperature. It is based on the simple principle of causing reactions and homogenization by agitating the mixture. Many types of microscopes fall under the category of light microscopes, which use light to visualize images. This instrument is based on the principle that when large globules in coarse emulsion are passed under high pressure through a narrow orifice, they break down into smaller particles giving a more uniform and stable mixture. When the bulb with the electrodes is dipped into a solution, hydrogen ions in the solution exchange with positive charges on the electrode generating an electrochemical potential which is displayed in terms of pH units on display. Anionic dyes are repelled by the cells, and therefore the cells are bright against the stained backgroun… Soil science, biogeochemistry etc. There are two types of hot air oven based on the working principle. pH meter is an electrical instrument used for measuring hydrogen ion concentration of solutions and mixtures (Fig. This helps in killing every living organism, including spores. There are many different types of microscopes, each of which works on their respective principles. This is the most common method of sterilization. It can be used for the separation of cell organelles, nucleic acid, blood components, and separation of isotopes. The agar deep medium is stabbed, not streaked. Diagnostic microbiology involves the study of specimens taken from patients suspected of having infections. Incubators have a wide range of applications including cell culture, pharmaceutical studies, hematological studies, and biochemical studies. The basic principle of an autoclave is that all the items within the autoclave come in direct contact with the steam for a particular period irrespective of the nature of the material- whether it is liquid, plastic ware, or glassware. Let’s have a brief discussion on some of the common culture techniques. Like some are responsible for so many potential diseases in human and other living beings while others are utilized for benefit of our environment. Unlike the traditional ways of producing heat through the fire, a hot plate produces heat by the flow of electricity. To Aid in … They are used over water baths as in water baths might be hazardous in case of any spills or overheat. Always wipe your hands and work area with 70% ethanol. In a simple stain, dyes that are either attracted by charge (a cationic dye such as methylene blue or crystal violet) or repelled by charge (an anionic dye such as eosin or India ink) are added to the smear. It is commonly used for processes like sterilization, combustion, and heating. Sometime it is needed to suppress the growth of some particular bacteria, in that case some measured amount of concentrates are added to the water and they are called selective media. Wipe the outside of the containers, flasks, plates, and dishes with 70% ethanol before placing them in the cell culture hood. India Ink preparation is recommended for use in the identification of Cryptococcus neoformans. A pH meter is often termed as “potentiometric pH meter” as it measures the difference in electric potential between the reference and a pH electrode. Additionally, techniques such as immunofluorescence and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), in which fluorescent probes are used to bind to DNA, can be used. Acinetobacter baumannii- Lab Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention, E. coli- Lab Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention and Control, Staphylococcus aureus- Lab Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention, Klebsiella pneumoniae- Lab Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention, Microbiology of extreme environments (Types and Examples), General Aseptic Techniques in Microbiology Laboratory, Top 10 Microbiology Universities in Germany (Updated 2020), Top 10 Microbiology Journals with Impact Factor (updated 2019), T.U. Negative stains are used when a specimen or a part of it, such as the capsule resists taking up the stain. Sealing is done by using 2 strips of adhesive tapes starting from base to the lid. In a potentiometric pH meter, single or multiple glass electrodes, connected to a bulb selective to hydrogen ions, are attached to a metal rod. The extent of sterilization is affected by the temperature of the heat and duration of heating. This device consists of a rotating magnetic or an electromagnet creating a rotating magnetic field that allows the stir bar (a piece of heavy metal) to move around in the vessel. Throughout most of the modem history of drinking water supply, concerns about pathogenic microbes have focused on ente… Different wavelengths of lights are passed through a solution as different substances have better absorbance at different wavelengths. Bunsen burner is a standard tool used in laboratories, named after Robert Bunsen. Sterile Handling 1. CO1: Describe construction and Working of common instruments used in Microbiology laboratory CO2: Explain use of various glassware used in microbiology experiments CO3: Handle and use compound microscope to observe microorganisms CO4: Prepare and stain the smear and focus the slide to observe bacterial/ fungal specimens or So either we identify them using a microscope or by enhancing their population to a huge bulk or by biochemical methods. Laminar Hood is commonly used to conduct processes that are sensitive to contamination. Different types of microscopes are developed to cater to the specific needs of the observation. A new tool for systematic analysis of research labs. Figure: Instruments used in Microbiology Lab with Principle and Uses. The most commonly used instrument in the microbiology laboratory for the sterilization of media and glassware is the autoclave (Figure 4.3). Aseptic techniques should be used for decreasing the possibility of bacterial contamination. However, the common theme is magnification. They are commonly used for the preparation of culture media during laboratory applications. Microbiology and its basic techniques are related to some other sciences like plant physiology, genetics, evolution, molecular biology. Hot Air Oven for Sterilization: It is used for sterilization of glassware’s, such as test tubes, pipettes … This instrument is commonly used in medical laboratories, microbiology laboratories, organic chemistry laboratories and medical industries. A homogenizer has a metal rod with narrow parallel openings in the form of a comb at the end which acts as the orifice for the homogenization process. It is used to obtain distilled water required for many lab tests as well as for the preparation of culture media. The heat is used to kill the microbes in the substance. The instruments used in the microbiology labs include a bunch of different kinds of instruments required for a lot of different processes conducted within those laboratories. Similarly, they are provided with adjustments for maintaining the concentration of CO2 to balance the pH and humidity required for the growth of the organisms. Home » Basic Microbiology » Instruments used in Microbiology Lab with Principle and Uses, Last Updated on June 17, 2020 by Sagar Aryal. This device creates a sterile environment with the flow of sterile air through a High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter and shortwave ultraviolet germicidal lamp that sterilizes the workstation. Feel that? Electron microscopy can be used to observe biofilms, but only after dehydrating the specimen, which produces undesirable artifacts and distorts the specimen. The following points highlight the top nine instruments that are used in microbiology. In medical or microbiology laboratories, it is commonly used for micro-loop sterilization. Thank you very much. This technique is used in some biochemical tests to place the bacteria within the medium, rather than on the surface. Microbiology is the study of microscopic life forms and is used by scientists studying viruses, plants, fungi, protozoans, cells, and parasites. 1. Spread plate method is used for culture of special clonal colonies and pour plate method is used for counting the specific number of colonies in a liquid medium. It is used for experiments related to plant tissue culture and for the experiments of genetic transformation. While perhaps best known to us as a cause of human disease, bacteria really should be far more famous for their positive contributions than for their negative ones. Based on the amount of light absorbed by a colored solution, a quantitative analysis of the solution can be done. They are primarily used for the observation of minute particles which cannot be observed with naked eyes. On the basis of type of heat used, heat methods are categorized into-(i) Wet Heat/Steam Sterilization- In most labs, this is a widely used … pH meter is a device used in laboratories that measure the H-ion concentration in water-based solutions to determine the acidity or alkalinity of the solution. Knowing about various microbiological technique is very important because microbes forms an important part of our life. A laboratory centrifuge is motor-based and allows the rotation of a liquid sample resulting in the separation of the components of the mixture. Microbiological techniques ate the techniques that are used for studying about microbes also including bacteria, fungi and the protists. Minimized human interference 3. Microscopy: The technology of making very small things visible to the naked eye. Mostly, they include the methodologies for conducting survey, culture, identify, stain, engineer and manipulate microbes. Disease-causing bacteria usually don’t visible to naked eye and hence a variety of sterilization techniques are employed in microbiology. However, there is some commonality in them. 2nd Year Microbiology (Biochem, Biotech) Syllabus, Principles of Diagnosis with Medical Microbiology, Darkfield Microscope- Definition, Principle and Uses, Sullivan and McCarthy’s Test- Definition, Principle, Procedure, Result, Uses, Immunoelectrophoresis- Principle, Procedure, Results and Applications, Advantages and Limitations, Acetate Utilization Test- Principle, Procedure, Results, Uses, Acetamide Utilization Test- Principle, Procedure, Results, Uses, Bacitracin Susceptibility Test- Principle, Procedure, Results, Uses, Bile Solubility Test- Principle, Procedure, Types, Results, Uses, Butyrate Disk Test- Principle, Procedure, Results, Uses, Limitations, CAMP Test- Principle, Procedure, Types, Results, Uses, Limitations, Catalase Test- Principle, Procedure, Types, Results, Uses, Cetrimide Agar Test- Principle, Procedures, Results, Uses, Citrate Utilization Test- Principle, Procedure, Results, Uses, Coagulase Test- Principle, Procedure, Types, Result, Uses, Incubator- Definition, Parts, Working, Types, Uses, Precautions, Endocytosis and Exocytosis (Endocytosis vs Exocytosis), Cell Organelles- Structure and Functions with labeled diagram. 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