Today I saw a researcher's "extra" question-
what does polymerase smell like? What about elution buffer? Saccharomyces cerevisiae smells like strong sweet wine, what does it smell like? What does a mutant strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae smell like?
These curiosities are really characteristic of the lab! However, it must be seriously reminded that any reagents or biological samples in the lab (even "harmless-looking" yeast and bacteria) must not be ingested. This is not only the bottom line of safety regulations, but also the core principle of protecting yourself.
Maybe someone's curiosity has crossed the boundaries of the experiment. Do you have any relevant experience to share?
It can be confirmed that some culture media are very salty. I used to work in a culture medium preparation laboratory, where I needed to divide several liters of culture medium into smaller test tubes, etc. When I spoke with my mouth open, some culture medium would splash back. :D
And judging from the ingredients, yeast culture is sweeter and less salty than bacterial culture.
I do have a relevant experience. Tellurite agar (blood or simple MH) is used as selective and differential medium for Corynebacterium diphtheriae. I l earned as a tech in the army that, in addition to color reaction, a garlic smell is also produced allegedly from reduced Tellurium. Of course one must take great care in smelling. As a grad student TA., i mentioned this to an asst prof who unwisely stuck his nose in an inoculated plate of the stuff to confirm - AND came down with diphtheria.
Phil Geis , that’s a striking and sobering anecdote—thank you for sharing it. It really underscores the critical importance of lab safety protocols, even when dealing with organisms that might seem “familiar” or when curiosity (or skepticism) creeps in.
Lab protocols universally warn against direct sniffing of cultures—instead, if odor is relevant, the standard practice is to gently waft air over the plate toward the nose (and even then, only with low-risk organisms).
Corynebacterium diphtheriae is no trivial pathogen. Even in an era of vaccines, its exotoxin can cause severe, life-threatening disease—from the hallmark pseudomembrane in the throat (which can obstruct airways) to systemic effects like myocarditis or neuropathy. Transmission via respiratory droplets or contact with contaminated materials (including culture plates) is well-documented, so that split-second decision to smell the plate directly created a direct exposure route.
Thanks again for sharing this—it’s a powerful real-world lesson in balancing scientific curiosity with caution.
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