Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hi! I'm trying to grow probiotic bacteria on agar. What I'm planning on doing is putting yogurt with probiotics in it on the agar, then letting it grow for three days. Is this sufficient time for me to get bacterial growth, or should it be longer? Should I use nutrient or MRS agar? Should I put the plates in a regular incubator or do I need an anaerobic environment for the bacteria? Thanks!

This sounds like a fun project! I would suggest using the MRS agar as it is made specifically for lactobacillus. Here is a link to some info on the agar which you might find helpful for the growth conditions as you are also asking about. https://catalog.hardydiagnostics.com/cp ... SAgar.html

Also, since I'm not sure of what kind of help you have with your project, I would suggest checking out the information here on the ScienceBuddies site with more information about the proper culturing and handling of bacteria. https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... ques.shtml

Good luck and keep us posted if you have other questions!
Nikki

Thanks for the help! Do you think the growth will be faster on the MRS? Would I get no growth on the nutrient agar or would it just be slower? And what about the anaerobic component?

As the link to the media explains, the MRS is more specific for lactobacillus and provides better growth conditions. As for incubation conditions, its recommended to be microaerophilic which is the increase in the amount of CO2. I believe it will grow on nutrient agar, might not be as well as MRS.