One of the key features of a microbiological incubator is that it allows for the gradual increase or decrease of temperature. This is a very important feature for maintaining microorganisms’ viability and proper growth.
To effectively maintain a bacteria culture, one needs to raise or lower temperatures, depending on which phase they’re in at any given time. This can be done through gas or liquid circulators or an incubator with temperature controls.
Incubators can do this because they control almost all aspects of their environment to accelerate natural metabolism and create favorable mediums for living organisms to thrive in. The goal of every microbiological incubator is to maintain the living organisms inside while providing them with the proper environment to grow and thrive.
Components Of An Incubator For Laboratory
There are several factors involved when it comes to the controlling temperature in an incubator. For an incubator to effectively maintain a healthy microbial culture, there must be methods to regulate and manipulate the temperature to ensure bacteria are maintained at the desired temperature. Take a look at a few key components that make for an incubator:
Cabinet
The Microbiological Incubators are probably the most important aspect of an incubator that must be considered. The material of the cabinet must be so that it can insulate or protect the environment inside from outside environmental factors. This can be done through a variety of methods. Still, typically, an incubator utilizes insulation to ensure that temperature fluctuations are maintained at a constant state, resulting in optimal growth conditions.
Control Panel
The control panel is usually placed on the front of the incubator. Its purpose is to maintain temperature by closing or opening inlet and outlet vents by adjusting a numeric switch or buttons that allow you to maintain constant or controlled temperature. Just like a thermostat, they too can maintain a consistent environment so that you can control the exact conditions desired inside.
Air Circulator
The air circulator is used to regulate the temperature within an incubator. Heating and cooling air ensure that microorganisms are maintained at optimal temperatures throughout the incubation period of culture. These are also referred to as ‘air controllers’.
Thermostat
A thermostat usually accompanies an incubator and works to regulate the temperature in a very similar way that a control panel does. The difference is that a thermostat is used to maintain the desired temperature of the incubator.
With all that being said, there are a few different types of incubators available today. You can choose a microbiological incubator meeting the requirements of your laboratory.
Functioning of Microbiological Incubators
Most labs use gas incubators, but some also go for liquid incubators. The main difference between gas incubation and liquid incubation is that the air is recycled. In gas incubation, there is no air recycling in liquid systems.
Incubators are configured with special ‘incubation trays’ inside that can be used to carry out different microorganisms and other samples. In most cases, microbiological incubators require the user to place the tray on a rocking platform. This helps to ensure even distribution of temperatures throughout the containers and help maintain uniformity during growth.
It’s really important to choose an incubator that will offer the best thermal consistency and meet your lab’s needs. With the variety of options available, you can find an incubator for sale to meet your needs.
Procedure For Running An Incubator
As you might guess, controlling the temperature and other aspects of the incubator is very important so that the incubation process is as efficient as possible. Pay special attention to proper lighting, ventilation and temperature control with these procedures.
- This first step involves plugging in your thermometric incubator to be run properly. There is a power switch, a power cord and an outlet for it at the back of your incubator.
- Next, you need to turn on the gas or liquid circulator and adjust the temperature control. In most cases, two knobs will be on the side of your incubator, and they will allow you to set the desired temperatures.
- After everything is turned on, you will want to take out the incubation trays and place them in a rack that can be attached to rails inside the incubator, thus minimizing any rocking motions.
Finally, set up your lab by ensuring that all of your equipment is working properly before starting an incubation process for bacteria of choice in your microbiological incubator.
Conclusion
It is very important to check your incubator every time before starting the process of incubation. It will ensure that everything is working properly and your equipment is in good condition before starting the process of growing microbes in a particular medium.
