advantages and disadvantages of the serial dilution agar plate technique

It is used for viable plate counts, in which the total number of colony forming units on a single plate is enumerated.Once you count the colonies, multiply by the appropriate dilution factor to determine the number of CFU/mL in the original sample. Calculate the CFU value of the sample.Incubate the plate at 37☌ for 24 hours.Spread the sample evenly over the surface of agar using the sterile glass spreader, carefully rotating the Petridish underneath at the same time.

Flame the glass spreader (hockey stick) over a Bunsen burner.Dip the L-shaped glass spreader into alcohol.Pipette out 0.1 ml from the appropriate desired dilution series onto the center of the surface of an agar plate.

A successful spread plate will have a countable number of isolated bacterial colonies evenly distributed on the plate. The plate needs to be dry and at room temperature so that the agar can absorb the bacteria more readily. The spread plate technique involves using a sterilized spreader with a smooth surface made of metal or glass to apply a small amount of bacteria suspended in a solution over a plate. The technique makes it easier to quantify bacteria in a solution. Spread plate technique is the method of isolation and enumeration of microorganisms in a mixed culture and distributing it evenly.

Advantages and disadvantages of the serial dilution agar plate technique