I'm culturing bacteria on LB broth and according to the protocol shaker incubator should be used, However its not available in my immediate area, so are there any technique that could replacement using of shaker incubator?
Dear Prof. Sara Kamal
An alternative would be to use a magnetic stirrer/heater combination. Grow your bacterial culture in a sterile flask with a magnetic stirrer bar (which is sterilized in alcohol) in it. Ensure that the thermostat is working properly so that there is no temperature fluctuations. Make sure that the stirrer bar is in the center and is rotating, for which you will have to optimize the speed. But the stirring must be vigorous. Also, maintain the culture volume depending on the size of the flask. For instance, use 500ml flask for a 100ml culture, or a 2 litre flask for a 500ml culture. Lastly, do not seal the flask tightly. You may loosely cover the mouth of the flask with aluminum foil.
Another way would possibly be to bubble air through the culture by using air pump. But make sure to use special type of filters in the air tubes to prevent any kind of contamination.
Regards,
Malcolm Nobre
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