How to Make a Sterile Bacterial Smear
Remove all unneeded equipment and objects from the lab bench., Squirt liquid disinfectant onto the lab bench.,Use a disposable sponge to clean the table top., Let the lab bench air dry., Put your hair up securely if it is long., Put on a clean lab...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Remove all unneeded equipment and objects from the lab bench.
Leaving objects on the lab bench can get in the way or be a safety hazard.
Paper left on the bench can catch fire if a Bunsen Burner is knocked over. -
Step 2: Squirt liquid disinfectant onto the lab bench.
Use a liquid disinfectant meant for hard surfaces, containing bleach or ethanol. ,, This allows the disinfectant more time to kill microbes and prevents re-contamination from a towel or wash cloth. , Long hair can not only impede your work, but can also become dangerous around an open flame. , Do not wear safety glasses because they do not cover your eyes completely and keep you safe from splashing. , Use soap and wash halfway up your forearm.
This reduces the chance of contaminating your culture with bacterium from your skin. , If you are allergic to latex, use vinyl or nitrile gloves to prevent a reaction.
Gloves that are too tight are at risk of tearing and exposing you to the microbe.
Wear the gloves pulled up over your sleeves to prevent them from dragging in cultures or slides. , Use powder cleaner (like Comet) and wash the slides in a sink with warm water to remove anything remaining from previous uses. ,, This is Ethanol Sterilization.
Make sure to let the ethanol burn off completely before setting the slide down or returning the forceps to the ethanol, or risk setting a fire. , This is Aseptic Technique.
Hold the tip and stem of the inoculation loop in the flame of the Bunsen Burner for at least 10 seconds, allowing the metal to turn a bright orange.
Allow the loop to cool before using, or risk killing the bacteria in your culture, aerosolizing the bacteria, or burning hands/equipment. , This heats the air in and around the opening of the test tube, causing it and any bacteria in the air to rise and prevent contamination of the culture. , This kills any bacteria remaining on the inoculation loop and makes it sterile and ready for the next culture or storage. ,, Rinse the slide into the sink and down the drain if using safe bacteria.
Clean with water and powder cleaner (like Comet). , Always carry all test tubes in a test tube rack to reduce the chance of dropping and breaking them, contaminating the lab. , Once again use liquid disinfectant and disposable sponges to clean the work space.
Allow to air dry. , Remove your latex gloves properly.
Avoid touching the outside of the glove with your bare hand.
Pull your right glove off by grabbing the outside of the glove near your wrist and pulling the glove inside out to your fingertips and off.
Hold your right glove in your gloved left hand and insert two fingers on your right hand into the inside of the left-hand glove near your wrist, avoiding touching the outside of the glove.
Pull the left glove inside out and off of your hand, leaving your right glove inside of it.
Throw both gloves away in the biohazard bin, being careful to only touch the inside of the gloves. ,, -
Step 3: Use a disposable sponge to clean the table top.
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Step 4: Let the lab bench air dry.
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Step 5: Put your hair up securely if it is long.
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Step 6: Put on a clean lab coat and goggles.
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Step 7: Wash your hands thoroughly.
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Step 8: Put on well-fitting latex gloves.
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Step 9: Clean each slide to be used.
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Step 10: Air dry the slides or use bibulous paper to blot dry the slides.
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Step 11: Using forceps
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Step 12: dip each slide in 95% ethanol to sterilize and pass through the flame.
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Step 13: Flame the inoculation loop before and after each use.
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Step 14: Pass the opening of the test tube through the flame when the cap is taken off.
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Step 15: Flame the loop again after transferring the bacteria onto the slide.
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Step 16: Pass the opening of the test tube through the flame again before replacing the cap.
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Step 17: Clean all slides used thoroughly.
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Step 18: Place all test tubes and cultures used in the proper biohazard bin/cart.
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Step 19: Clean the lab bench again.
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Step 20: Remove the latex gloves and throw away into biohazard bin.
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Step 21: Take off both goggles and lab coat.
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Step 22: Wash hands thoroughly with soap.
Detailed Guide
Leaving objects on the lab bench can get in the way or be a safety hazard.
Paper left on the bench can catch fire if a Bunsen Burner is knocked over.
Use a liquid disinfectant meant for hard surfaces, containing bleach or ethanol. ,, This allows the disinfectant more time to kill microbes and prevents re-contamination from a towel or wash cloth. , Long hair can not only impede your work, but can also become dangerous around an open flame. , Do not wear safety glasses because they do not cover your eyes completely and keep you safe from splashing. , Use soap and wash halfway up your forearm.
This reduces the chance of contaminating your culture with bacterium from your skin. , If you are allergic to latex, use vinyl or nitrile gloves to prevent a reaction.
Gloves that are too tight are at risk of tearing and exposing you to the microbe.
Wear the gloves pulled up over your sleeves to prevent them from dragging in cultures or slides. , Use powder cleaner (like Comet) and wash the slides in a sink with warm water to remove anything remaining from previous uses. ,, This is Ethanol Sterilization.
Make sure to let the ethanol burn off completely before setting the slide down or returning the forceps to the ethanol, or risk setting a fire. , This is Aseptic Technique.
Hold the tip and stem of the inoculation loop in the flame of the Bunsen Burner for at least 10 seconds, allowing the metal to turn a bright orange.
Allow the loop to cool before using, or risk killing the bacteria in your culture, aerosolizing the bacteria, or burning hands/equipment. , This heats the air in and around the opening of the test tube, causing it and any bacteria in the air to rise and prevent contamination of the culture. , This kills any bacteria remaining on the inoculation loop and makes it sterile and ready for the next culture or storage. ,, Rinse the slide into the sink and down the drain if using safe bacteria.
Clean with water and powder cleaner (like Comet). , Always carry all test tubes in a test tube rack to reduce the chance of dropping and breaking them, contaminating the lab. , Once again use liquid disinfectant and disposable sponges to clean the work space.
Allow to air dry. , Remove your latex gloves properly.
Avoid touching the outside of the glove with your bare hand.
Pull your right glove off by grabbing the outside of the glove near your wrist and pulling the glove inside out to your fingertips and off.
Hold your right glove in your gloved left hand and insert two fingers on your right hand into the inside of the left-hand glove near your wrist, avoiding touching the outside of the glove.
Pull the left glove inside out and off of your hand, leaving your right glove inside of it.
Throw both gloves away in the biohazard bin, being careful to only touch the inside of the gloves. ,,
About the Author
Paul Evans
A seasoned expert in education and learning, Paul Evans combines 11 years of experience with a passion for teaching. Paul's guides are known for their clarity and practical value.
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