Sterilization of Bacterial Culture Media Using Household Microwave Oven

Authors

  • Weerasak Chongfuengprinya Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
  • Watcharee Jadraikhing Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
  • Kobchai Pattaragulwanit Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand

Keywords:

Microwave, Autoclave, Sterilization, Culture Media

Abstract

Sterilization of culture media generally involves the use of an autoclave operating at 121 oC at a pressure of 15 lb/in.2 for 20 min. Such a process takes about 2 hours, implying that it is a time- and energy-consuming process and therefore not suitable for preparation of a small amount of media. Microwave oven has been reported as an equipment capable of efficiently destroying microorganisms within very short time. Therefore, this research aimed to use a 1200-W household microwave for sterilization of Nutrient Broth (NB) and Nutrient Agar (NA). Microwave irradiation at 1200 W for 180 seconds after the media had boiled could well sterilize the culture media. Growth of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus in the microwaved media was noted to be the same as in the autoclaved media. Morphology of the cells cultured in microwaved media remained unchanged. Sugar utilization patterns of both the cells cultured in microwaved as well as those in the autoclaved media were similar. Power consumption and time consuming for media sterilization by microwave were less than those by autoclaving. Therefore, utilization of microwave is suitable for sterilization a small volume of culture media.

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Published

2021-12-31

How to Cite

Chongfuengprinya, W., Jadraikhing, W., & Pattaragulwanit, K. (2021). Sterilization of Bacterial Culture Media Using Household Microwave Oven. Science and Engineering Connect, 44(4), 577–588. retrieved from https://ph04.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/SEC/article/view/10450

Issue

Vol. 44 No. 4 (2021): October - December

Section

Research Article

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