culture

[aftabac]

Hi
we often grow the microbes in large quantities and use them quite oftenly. i want to know that what is best way to discard the microbial culture after routine use. especially if the microbes are pathogenic.


waiting

aftab ahmad

[kmunson779]

You should first consult your institution's policies on biohazard safety. Usually some sort of permit is required to work with pathogenic organisms, with instructions on how to dispose of waste.

That said, in our lab (which works with non-pathogenic bacteria) solid waste like petri dishes is autoclaved, then put in the trash, and liquid waste like media is treated with bleach to ~10% v/v, let sit for ~20 minutes, then disposed down the drain with lots of water.

[oBWhat]

Hey Kmunson

Great ideas! I think for more pathogenic bacteria may be useful to have a special hood disposal unit...

[kalaig]

In my opinion, they should be incinerated! Even autoclaving may not be fully efficient since steam penetration depends on the time of autoclaving and volume of material.