Differences Between Streak, Pour and Spread Plating STREAK PLATE METHOD Nutrient Agar (Melted) A loopful of bacteria

from a slant No definite/exact amount (Only a Loopful) For isolation of colonies only Petri dish Alcohol Lamp Wire Loop Surface Colonies * For isolation of bacterial cultures * Has distinct separate colonies POUR PLATE METHOD Bacterial Broth Nutrient Agar (Melted) 1.0 mL or 0.1 mL Count the number of colonies (number of microorganisms) Petri dish Alcohol Lamp Pipet Test tubes Either Surface/ Subsurface Colonies *For Quantification of colonies in solid medium *Allows the growth and quantification of microaerophiles (Sufficient oxygen supply) * Picking subsurface colonies would interrupt other colonies by digging out of the agar * Microbes must withstand the agar temperature SPREAD PLATE METHOD Nutrient Agar (Melted) Bacterial Broth 0.1 mL Count the number of colonies (number of microorganisms) Petri dish Alcohol Lamp Pipet Test tubes Glass Rod / L-rod Surface Colonies * Cultures are never exposed to 45oC melted agar temperatures.

First to be added Second to be added Volume of inoculum Purpose

Equipment (Glasswares)

Type of Colonies

Advantage

Disadvantage

* Higher Probability of Contamination prior to isolation.

* More microbes, presence of more colony forming units.

References: Culturing Microbes. < http://www.mansfield.ohio-state.edu/~sabedon/biol4035.htm> Last Accessed 01 Feb 2010. Growth and Culturing of Bacteria. <http://www.mansfield.ohio-state.edu/~sabedon/black06.htm> Last Accessed 01 Feb 2010. Streak Plate Method. < http://www.studentsguide.in/microbiology/microbiology-tools-techniques/streak-plate-method.html> Last Accessed 01 Feb 2010. Pour Plate Method. <http://www.studentsguide.in/microbiology/microbiology-tools-techniques/pour-plate-method.html> Last Accessed 01 Feb 2010. Spread Plate Method.< http://www.studentsguide.in/microbiology/microbiology-tools-techniques/spread-plate-method.html> Last Accessed 01 Feb 2010.