Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hi.
First Im Korean so.. my english skill is not enough to explain about whole of my experiment.
Anyway, I have grown P. acnes in my lab. I had tried to see the colonies but P. acnes allways made some bubble.
I used RCM media and condition (37 celcius, anaerobic). Please tell me how I get the colony not bubble.
Thank you.

Hi,

I'm not expert in microbiology but I looked up RCM agar (http://www.oxoid.com/uk/blue/prod_detai ... uk&lang=EN) and I see that it is for anaerobic culture as you said. How are you producing anaerobic conditions?

I suspect the P. acnes bacteria are metabolizing something in the RCM agar that is allowing them to produce gas and that's why you see bubbles in the colonies. I would try growing them on nutrient agar in air. Do you have to grow them without oxygen? I think switching to a different agar or growing them in air will eliminate the gas.

Please post again if you have more questions.

Sybee