Anaerobic Culture Methods with the Anaerocult^® System

Creating anaerobic, microaerobic and capneic growth conditions for microbiology

In many industries, including food, beverage or clinical microbiology, it is often necessary to cultivate anaerobes, microaerophiles and capnophiles such as Clostridium, Campylobacter or Lactobacillus. Our Anaerocult^® systems produce the anaerobic, microaerobic and capneic growth conditions that are required for anaerobiosis.

How our anaerobic incubation systems work

The Anaerocult^® system is based on a common basic principle where components of the Anaerocult^® reagent mixture react with water to chemically bind all or part of the atmospheric oxygen (O₂) in a given volume of air (anaerobic jar or special incubation bag), while simultaneously releasing carbon dioxide (CO₂). The resulting growth environment is rich in carbon dioxide and either devoid of oxygen (anaerobic) or oxygen deficient (microaerobic/capneic). We have a range cost-efficient Anaerocult^® products to fit your microbiology needs.

Culture anaerobes, microaerophiles and capnophiles using the Anaerocult® system

• Anaerocult^® A, A Mini, P, and Anaerotest® for anaerobic microorganisms
• Anaerocult^® C and C Mini for microaerophilic and capnophilic microorganisms

Accessories

• Anaeroclip^® device for sealing the mini-incubation bags
• Anaerobic jar and plate basket
• CULTURA Mini-Incubator.

Cultivation of microaerophilic and capnophilic microorganisms: Anaerocult^® C and C mini systems

For the cultivation of capnophilic and microaerophilic microorganisms which thrive in conditions where concentrations of carbon dioxide are greater than in the earth’s atmosphere, we provide the Anaerocult^® C and Anaerocult^® C Mini systems.

Anaerocult^® C system for the incubation of microaerophiles and capnophiles

Our Anaerocult^® C system is used specifically for the incubation of microaerophiles and capnophiles. The special formulation of the reagent mixture guarantees that the cultivation jar reaches gas concentrations of 8-10% vol. CO₂ and 5-6% vol. O₂. At an incubation temperature of 42 °C, the temperature in the jar does not increase further because, unlike systems using a catalyst, the amount of energy released is low, so the microorganisms are not harmed by the heat.

Anaerocult^® C mini sachet for incubation of one or two petri dishes

Two petri dishes can be placed in the special incubation bag of the Anaerocult^® C Mini system. These can be two different culture media plates inoculated with one sample or two plates with the same medium inoculated with two different samples. The Anaerocult^® C Mini sachet is moistened with 3 ml of water and placed in the special incubation bag with the petri dishes. It contains chemicals that bind a precisely determined amount of oxygen in the special incubation bag and release a defined quantity of CO₂. This creates just the right atmospheric conditions in which microaerophilic or capnophilic microorganisms can grow.

Cultivation of anaerobic microorganisms

For the cultivation of facultative or obligate anaerobic microorganisms, we provide the Anaerocult^® incubation system, comprising Anaerocult^® A, Anaerocult^® A Mini, Anaerocult^® P, and Anaerotest^®. The importance of anaerobes as pathogenic agents responsible for infectious diseases and the role they play in the microbial spoilage of food and water has been better appreciated over the years. Our Anaerocult^® products cover a wide range of requirements for cultivating anaerobic microorganisms for clinical microbiology, or the food and beverage industries.

Anaerocult^® A system for incubation of up to 12 petri dishes

The Anaerocult^® A system is used for the anaerobic incubation of up to 12 petri dishes in an anaerobic jar. This reagent contains components which create an oxygen-free (anaerobic) environment in the jar and simultaneously releases CO₂. The contained oxygen does not react with hydrogen to form H₂O, but is chemically bound to the finely distributed iron powder in the reagent mixture.

Anaerocult^® A Mini sachet for incubation of one to four petri dishes

The Anaerocult^® A mini system is used for the anaerobic incubation of one to four petri dishes. The Anaerocult^® A mini sachet is moistened with water and placed, together with the petri dishes and an Anaerotest^® strip to monitor the absence of oxygen, into a special incubation bag. The sachet contains components which chemically bind the oxygen quickly and completely, creating an oxygen-free but CO₂-containing atmosphere within the bag.

Anaerocult^® P sachet for incubation of individual petri dishes

Our Anaerocult^® P device is used for anaerobic incubation of individual petri dishes. The Anaerocult^® P sachet is moistened with water and placed in a special incubation bag, which is subsequently sealed. It contains components which chemically bind the contained oxygen quickly and completely, creating an oxygen-free and CO₂-containing atmosphere. The transparent incubation bag allows anaerobic growth in the closed anaerobic system to be evaluated visually at any given time; the cultivated plates are never exposed to atmospheric oxygen. Each petri dish can be incubated immediately after receiving the sample so the Anaerocult^® P sachet ideal for both urgent cases and cultivation of extremely oxygen-sensitive microorganisms. Incubation of individual petri dishes permits each one to be cultivated separately over the time period and at the temperature required. It also prevents interactions between the microorganisms on different plates.

Anaerotest^® test strips

The Anaerotest^® test strip is used to check whether the atmosphere in sealed containers or special incubation bags is anaerobic. The reaction zone of the test strip contains a dye that is blue (oxidized state) if in an air-filled (i.e. aerobic) environment. An anaerobic environment causes the chemical reduction of the dye, which then changes its color to white. The reaction is reversible so that when oxygen is re-introduced, the reaction zone turns blue again. The strips do not change color when used with the Anaerocult^® C and C Mini kits due to the residual oxygen content in the atmosphere of the bags.

Anaerocult^® accessories

Anaeroclip^® sealing device

The Anaeroclip^® is a simple mechanical clip to seal the Anaerocult^® A Mini, P, and C Mini incubation bags. The Anaeroclip^® closure clips enable users to seal the bags without a special foil sealing instrument. Anaeroclip^® sealing clips can be used several times.

Anaerobic jar and plate basket

The anaerobic jar consists of two functional parts: a lid and a base. The jar is easy to use, convenient and time saving since there is no need to insert or refill catalysts or to use manometers or valves. The jar is manufactured using high quality materials, ensuring that it is leak proof and that the lid always fits properly. The plate basket for conveniently placing the plates into the jar comes with an integrated holding clip for the Anaerotest^® strip.

CULTURA mini-incubator

The CULTURA mini-incubator is an ideal incubator for a small laboratory and can be used to incubate Anaerocult^® A mini, C mini, and P. It can also fit 18 dip-slides, or 12 petri dishes, blood culture bottles or identification systems of any kind. The incubator is a high-quality product which is safe to handle, space saving and easy to clean. It is available as an all-in-one package that includes mini-incubator, multi-rack and a thermometer.