Nutrient Agar Powder - 1 gram

One gram vial of Nutrient Agar powder. This dehydrated culture media is a general purpose medium enriched with up to 10% blood or other biological fluid. Dissolve one gram of powder in 35 mL of boiling water and sterilize for a general purpose nutrient agar base. The powder in the vial makes enough nutrient agar for 5 standard 90 mm petri dishes in a thin layer. 5 mL of nutrient agar is just enough to cover one standard 90 mm petri dish.

Nutrient agar is the most commonly used media for filling petri dishes and bacteria growth. Check out this experiment on how to grow bacteria on homemade agar plates! 

Instructions to prepare nutrient agar:

Add the total contents of the vial (1 gram of powder) into 35ml boiling water. Distilled water is preferred but tap water can be used. Sterilize by autoclaving at 121 degrees Celsius for 15 minutes.  If no autoclave is availabe you can put the nutrient agar in the microwave for 15 to 20 seconds.

Sterilizing at home:

If you do not have access to an autoclave, a pressure cooker can be used to sterilize nutrient agar.  In the absence of a pressure cooker, bacteris can still be grown on nutrient agar that is not completely sterile, however you run the risk of contamination from bacteria in the water/nutrient agar.  In this instance it is best to boil the nutirient agar in a microwave for 15 to 20 seconds to kill as much bacteria as possible and to ensure the agar is fully dissolved.

The following method can also be used to sterlize nutrient  be used as an alternative for home use.

Note: Keep in a dry, sealed container and store in a cool dark location away from bright light