Inoculation loop
An inoculation loop, also called a smear loop, inoculation wand or microstreaker, is a simple tool used mainly by microbiologists to retrieve an inoculum from a culture of microorganisms. The loop is used in the cultivation of microbes on plates by transferring inoculum for streaking. It can also be used to transfer microscopic organisms. Touching a broth or a culture plate will gather enough microbes for inoculation.[1]
The wire forms a small loop with a diameter of about 5 mm. The loop of wire at the tip may be made of platinum, tungsten or nichrome, the latter being inferior but less expensive. This loop removes a consistent amount of the liquid suspended inoculum by using the phenomenon of surface tension.
The inoculation loop is sterilized with flame (or another heat source) before and after each use.[2] By doing this, the same tool can be reused in different experiments without fear of cross-contamination. After flame sterilization, the loop must be cooled so that the next cells the loop touches are not killed by the hot metal.
References
- ^ Thompson BF, Thompson R (2012). Illustrated Guide to Home Biology Experiments. Maker Media, Inc. p. 37. ISBN 978-1449396596.
- ^ Songer, J. R.; Riley, J. L.; Braymen, D. T. "Self-Sterilizing Inoculating Loop". Applied Microbiology. 21 (6): 1095–1096.
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