An incubator is a piece of microbiological equipment that creates a controlled environment in which organisms can flourish. As an example, an incubator can be used to grow both single- and multicellular organisms. To aid in the diagnosis of infectious diseases and the cultivation of bacteremia samples, they are most commonly found in hospitals and academic institutions. They perform best in temperatures between 35 and 37 degrees centigrade.
Types Of Incubators:
Portable incubator
A portable incubator is a lightweight and compact equipment used in the research or medical field. The study of microbes in the environment and water analysis are two excellent examples of applications.
Benchtop incubators
The majority of laboratories utilize this kind of incubator the most frequently.
These incubators are the fundamental varieties equipped with insulation and temperature control.
Cooled incubators
Incubators are equipped with customized refrigeration systems with heating and cooling controls to enable incubation at temperatures lower than normal.
In this incubator, the heating and cooling controls should be balanced.
CO2 incubators
They are specialized incubators that can automatically manage CO2 and humidity.
This kind of incubator is used to cultivate various bacteria that need a CO2 concentration of between 5 and 10%.
Water is kept underneath the incubator’s cabinet to regulate humidity.
Shaker incubator
Another device used to grow microorganisms is a thermostatically controlled shaker incubator.
It transfers heat to the culture tank quickly and uniformly, and the turbulence it creates enhances aeration and speeds up development.
This incubator is only suitable for use with broth or liquid culture material.
Operating Instructions For An Incubator
Once you’ve prepared the cultures for organisms, place the culture plates in an incubator at your desired temperature and allow them to incubate for the required time. In clinical laboratories, bacteria are usually grown at 37°C.
The following procedures must be followed when using an incubator:
It is important to check the incubator to ensure there are no leftovers from prior cycles before utilizing it. However, there are some situations when numerous species can be housed in the same incubator if they all require the same set of environmental conditions.
In this process, the door of the incubator is closed and turned on. Next, the incubator needs to be heated up to an acceptable temperature for the growth of this organism. A thermometer can then be used to see if the desired temperature has been reached.
Settings should also be made in the incubator if the organism needs a specific CO2 concentration or level of humidity.
Once all of the criteria have been met, the petri dish cultures are placed on the perforated shelves upside down, with the media on top. If the plates were incubated regularly, condensation would form on the medium’s surface, impeding the formation of isolated colonies.
Petri dish cultures are placed in plastic bags or food storage containers and sealed with adhesive tapes if it is required to incubate them for several days.
The plates are now kept inside for the necessary time before being removed, and the door has been locked.
Precautions
When operating an incubator, the following safety precautions must be taken:
The temperature of the cabinet should not be changed frequently by opening the door because germs are sensitive to temperature changes.
Before the culture plates are positioned on the cabinet’s shelves, the organism’s development requirements must be satisfied.
Plates should be stored upside down, with the cover at the bottom, to prevent condensation from forming on the medium.
To stop the organisms from congregating on the shelves or corners of the incubators, the interiors should be cleaned often.
The shelves should be submerged in sterile water to prevent the culture material from drying up while the incubator is in use for an extended period of time.
The following are some of the many applications of a Bacteriological Incubator:
Bacterial breeding
Bacteria are microorganisms that are found in large quantities in the human body. These organisms must be cultured in an environment with the proper temperature, pH, and nutrients in order to grow. A bacteriological incubator can assist you in creating the ideal environment for bacteria to thrive.
It helps in preserving the bacteria culture for future usage.
The main use of a bacteriological incubator is for bacterial culture. This is a process where bacteria grow in a liquid nutrient medium. In this way, scientists can examine the growth and reproduction of specific strains of bacteria.
Biochemical studies
Microbiology is the study of microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi. A bacteriological incubator is a device for maintaining living organisms at a constant temperature. It can be used to isolate bacteria or culture them under controlled conditions to study their life cycles and characteristics.
Microscopic Examination
A bacteriological Incubator is a cabinet furnished with devices designed to maintain a constant temperature and humidity capable of supporting the necessary degree of light required for microscopic examination.
Conclusion
A bacteriological incubator is a valuable addition to any laboratory. They are available in a range of sizes and can serve a variety of purposes. With so many alternatives available, determining your needs is essential before making a purchase. Please call GENIST’s expert team immediately if you have any queries or need assistance selecting the most suitable model for your needs. We have a range of incubators to meet your needs, and our staff is always delighted to assist you in selecting the ideal one. For more information regarding our product range, contact us immediately!
