Culturing Microorganisms

• Culture: Nutrient medium (liquid or agar gel) with specific micro-organisms, if one species is grown, it is a pure culture
• Nutrient medium/broth: Liquid or agar gel with carbohydrate source (e.g. glucose), amino acids, vitamins and mineral ions; everything a microbe needs to grow
• Aseptic technique: Procedures taken when handling micro-organisms, to avoid culture contamination, product, environment and processing staff
• Importance of asepsis: Avoidance of equipment contamination, cultures and products by unwanted micro-organisms