Microbiological techniques ate the techniques that are used for studying about microbes also including bacteria, fungi and the protists. Mostly, they include the methodologies for conducting survey, culture, identify, stain, engineer and manipulate microbes. Knowing about various microbiological technique is very important because microbes forms an important part of our life. A general understanding about functioning of the cell has originated from study of microorganisms. Other than that microbiology is also an applied science that assists agriculture, environmental sector, health and medicine and the growing biotechnology industry. Microbes have extreme importance in our day today lives. They have both positive as well as negative effects. Like some are responsible for so many potential diseases in human and other living beings while others are utilized for benefit of our environment. They have their uses in food production, beverages production and many other things. Microbiology and its basic techniques are related to some other sciences like plant physiology, genetics, evolution, molecular biology. Organic chemistry. Soil science, biogeochemistry etc. Therefore, an article on basic techniques involved in microbiology can help all in many ways. So, now let’s have a discussion on some of the basic techniques involved in microbiology.
Techniques used in studying about growth of bacteria.
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Microbiological media
Usually bacteria grow on any source of organic food that offers carbon compounds and nitrogen compounds. Carbon is used for respiration and nitrogen compound is used for growth. Bacteria can use it in either liquid form or in solid form. The two most common medium used for growth of bacteria is nutrient broth and nutrient agar. 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. The standard source of carbon for bacteria is glucose and for nitrogen it is peptones. Depending on the growth requirements of the bacteria, mineral and vitamins may also be provided. For balancing pH several combinations of chemicals can be utilized. 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.
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Sterilization
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. This helps in killing every living organism, including spores. Not only media everything including glassware should be sterilized before using. Aseptic techniques should be used for decreasing the possibility of bacterial contamination. These techniques usually involve disinfecting working areas, decreasing the possible access by bacteria from outside air to the media and using of flames for killing bacteria that might enter the vessel when they are opened.
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Inoculation
This is the technique by which bacteria or microbes are introduced into media. 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.
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Incubation
Then after inoculation the agar or the broth containing the inoculum are kept in incubator at required temperature and for required duration for allowing the growth of bacteria. Usually the plates are kept in inverted position for preventing the condensation droplets of water from falling on the surface of the agar. And it is also good to seal the petri plates for preventing any contamination. Sealing is done by using 2 strips of adhesive tapes starting from base to the lid.
Culture Techniques
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