INCUBATOR

Introduction

The oldest incubators were designed by the Egyptians and the Chinese to maintain the temperature of
eggs to hatch chicks without the hen needing to sit on them. Around 1750, a thermometer-controlled
poultry incubator was designed by Rene-Antoine Ferchault de Reaumur. These early designs inspired
modern laboratory incubators. The laboratory incubator is used to maintain different cell or microbial
cultures under controlled conditions. Besides temperature, the incubator can also maintain humidity,
oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Design of an incubator

Some types of laboratory incubators are:

(i) Bacteriological (heated incubator)

(ii) B.O.D. incubator

ii) CO2 incubator

Bacteriological Incubator (Heated incubator)

The bacteriological incubator is used to promote bacterial growth under stable conditions.

It has the following parts:

(a) An insulated, double walled chamber : It may have a transparent glass window. Some incubators
have an additional glass door inside the double walled metal door.

(b) Heating element: Electricity is used to power a heating element.

(c) Thermostat: A thermostat built into the incubator regulates the temperature within the chamber.
Bacterial cultures usually grow well at 37"C. The incubator uses alternmate heating and no-heating
cycles. During the heating cycle, heat is produced by electric current flowing through the heating
element. During the no-heating period the incubator loses excess heat to the external environment.

(d) Indicators: These show if the main switch is on and if the heating element is working.

(e) Thermometer : A thermometer is attached to the upper side of the incubator. The temperature of
the incubator can be verified from the thermometer. The thermometer is L-shaped. The inner end
protrudes into the chamber of the incubator.

(f) Air circulating fan: A fan in the Incubator maintains a constant supply of hot air over racks where
bacterial culture plates are kept.
(g) Adjustable racks/trays: These are adjustable perforated shelves on which bacterial culture plates are
kept. The holes in the shelf pemit air flow.

(h) HEPA filter: Some incubators may have HEPA filters (High Efficiency Particulate Air Filter) to filter air
and reduce risk of contamination.

How does an incubator work?

The heating element warms the air. The thermostat prevents overheating. The fan circulates the air to
ensure uniform temperature in the incubator. The double walls of the incubator prevent heat loss and
minimise electricity consumption. The glass in the front makes it possible to see the culture vials inside
the incubator without opening it.

Using an incubator
1. Set the incubator to the desired temperature (usually 37°C).

2. Switch on the incubator. Note that the indicator lights are working.

3. Adjust the shelves of the incubator if necessary.

4. Permit the incubator to attain the set temperature.

5. Confirm that the thermometer of the incubator shows the same temperature that is

set by the knob.

6. Prepare the culture vial or any other material and place them in the incubator.

7. Humidity can be maintained by placing a petri dish conțaining water (humidity pan)

in the incubator if needed.

Types of incubators
1. B.O.D. incubator:

B.O.D. incubators have both cooling and heating options while bacteriological incubators only have a
heating option. B.0.D. incubator is used when it is necessary to maintain a lower temperature (10-20C)
or when humidity needs to be maintained very precisely.

2. CO2 incubator (or gassed incubator):

It regulates temperature, relative humidity and so maintains pH by maintaining the CO2 level at 5-10%.
This permits it to maintain conditions that are very similar to those in the man body i.e., 7.4 pH, 98.6°F
(37C) temperature and > 90% relative humidity. The pH is maintained because CO2 combines with water
to form carbonic acid (H2CO3) buffer which keeps the pH constant.

3. Shaking incubator:

It has a shaker built into the incubator and it is possible to move the culture flasks continuously for
aeration of culture medium and solubility studies.

Use of Incubator
Incubators are used in cell culture, pharmaceutical, haematological and biochemical studies. They are
used in environmental studies and can also be used to culture small laboratory insects like Drosophila
(B.O.D. incubator).

Precautions
1. Incubators should be placed away from humid and damp areas to prevent risk of fungal infection of
cultures.

2. Incubators should be kept on a stand to prevent contaminants from entering when the floor is
cleaned.

3. Opening and closing the incubator repeatedly should be avoided as it causes a fall in the
temperature and affects the growth of culture.

4. Wear gloves when handling cultures kept inside the incubator.

5. Clean the incubator regularly. Removable parts, door handle, etc. should be cIeaned regularly. The fan
should be cleaned every few months.