How To Store Agar Plates

Agar is a gelatinous material used as a medium for growing bacteria cultures. Agar plates refer to this gelatinous material in addition to other nutrients. (Examples of nutrient agars, according to University of Missouri-St. Louis, include nutrient agar, starch agar, milk agar, egg yolk agar.) Additional nutrients can be added to provide optimal growth conditions for certain bacteria. Agar plates must be kept free of bacteria during storage.

Step 1

Store agar plates upside down. Stack the plates in their original bags for further protection from contamination.

Step 2

Store agar plates in a refrigerator. Most bacteria cannot grow well in cold temperatures.

Step 3

Store plates in a cold room if a refrigerator is not available. If you are storing plates in a cold room, check the plates for condensation a few hours after pouring. Condensation results from exposure to a heat source that drives water out of the water and into the lid of the plate. This will dry the agar out and render it unusable. Turn the plates over if condensation is visible and monitor closely for more condensation development.