In reply to Chris Minor who wrote:
"Actually, .7% agar is pretty common in plant tissue culture and .8% is
pretty standard for bacterial applications. I just poured a batch of .7%
and it gelled really nice. When I've had this problem in the past it is
usually because I didn't stir and bring it to a full boil BEFORE
autoclaving it. I know, the autoclave boils it, but it just doesn't do the
job alone. Any explanations for that one??"
I routinely autoclave my agar media *without* boiling first, and never have
any trouble with gelling. I do notice that the bottom of the media appears
cloudy after autoclaving, while the top appears more clear - I swirl to
distribute while still warm, and it always gels.
Kathleen Archer
Dept. Biology
Trinity College
Hartford, CT 06106
e-mail: kathleen.archer at mail.trincoll.edu
Ph: (203) 297-2226
