Aseptic Technique

Key Stage 4

Aseptic technique is a set of procedures used to make sure a culture medium is not contaminated when attempting to culture micro-organisms.

The following techniques are used to reduce or prevent contamination:

Wash hands thoroughly with antiseptic before the experiment.
Heating the inoculating loop red hot to kill any unwanted micro-organisms.
Do not allow the inoculating loop to touch anything other than the desired micro-organisms and the culture medium.
Keep a lid on the culture medium at all times when not adding the desired micro-organisms.
Disinfect all surfaces in the area.
Open the lid only enough to allow the inoculation loop to touch the surface of the culture medium.
Avoid breathing in the direction of the inoculating loop and culture medium.
Seal the lid over the culture medium with two strips of sellotape. However, do not make it airtight as this will cause the growth of anaerobic micro-organisms only.