Aseptic Technique

8.3.8.3 After preparing the work space as outlined in section 8.2, sanitize hands and don gloves.

8.3.8.4 Observe the petri dish and ensure there are no water droplets on the surface of the agar. If so, use a sterile cotton swab and lightly wipe the condensate away, ensuring not to damage the agar in the process.

8.3.8.5 Open the sample bag.

8.3.8.6 Open a sterile plastic loop, and insert the loop into the sample bag.

8.3.8.7 Open the lid of the petri dish, and streak one third of the dish. Ensure to do so quickly and evenly in a zig-zag pattern.

8.3.8.7.1 Do not allow the loop to puncture the agar surface.

8 3 8 7 2 Never place the loop on the counter

8 3 8 8 Using a new sterile loop, streak the second sector of the dish by streaking once across the first sector, and dragging to the second sector using the same zig-zag pattern

8 3 8 9 Using a new sterile loop, streak the third sector of the dish by streaking once across the second sector, and dragging to the second sector using the same zig-zag pattern

8 3 8 10 After streaking, replace the lid of the petri dish quickly and dispose of gloves in trash and dispose of loop in autoclave bags

8 3 8 11 Repeat with remaining samples ensuring to use a new loop for each sample and tube

8 3 8 12 Flip petri dishes upside down and incubate in this manner to ensure condensation doesn’t form on the surface of the agar