In the field of microbiology, petri dishes are used in particular to culture cells, cultivate microorganisms like bacteria and detect contamination. They are one of the most common basic equipment in modern laboratories and have many uses. Some petri dishes are also used to evaporate liquids to collect residue left behind after evaporation.
However, there are differences among the laboratory dishes. Not every type of petri dish is suitable for every application. Certain requirements should be considered selecting a petri dish:
Size | Depending on the application, select a petri dish with a suitable diameter. Petri dishes are available in diameter sizes of 35, 60, 94, 100 and 145 mm. | |
Temperature | When working with hot agar, special attention must be paid to the material of the petri dish. Heat-resistant, clear polystyrene is very suitable for high temperatures. | |
Gas exchange | For optimum gas exchange, petri dishes with vents is recommended. | Petri dish with vents |
Multi-parameter measurement | If several parameters have to be observed simultaneously during an application, petri dishes with two or three compartments are ideal. | Petri dish with 3 compartments |
Application: Germ counting |
Petri dishes with 10 mm calibration grids for quick evaluation are recommended for germ counting. | |
Application: Hygiene control | Contact plates are recommended for hygiene control. They usually have calibration grids and vents. |