Why Can Only Liquid Culture Medium Preserve Bacterial Strains

Compared to solid media, liquid culture medium is a completely different method of culturing, where the medium is dissolved in a liquid (usually water) to form a completely liquid state. Without the limitations of a plate, liquid culture medium allows cells to suspend within it, providing a better nutritional and growth environment.

The fluidity of liquid culture medium allows for more precise control over the temperature of the solution, the concentration of nutrients, as well as the stirring speed and gas content. Another advantage of this medium is that it can be more economical and efficient when culturing large quantities of cells. Liquid culture medium requires less cell adhesion ability compared to solid media, promoting the rapid growth and expansion of more suspended cells.

Advantages of Liquid Culture Medium

Liquid culture medium is an ideal choice for preserving strains, with the following main advantages:

Provides abundant nutrients and moisture

The nutrients in liquid culture medium are relatively sufficient, thus providing the necessary nutrients and moisture for the strains.

Long preservation period

Strains in liquid culture medium can be preserved for years, which is unmatched by solid media.

Easy to operate

Using liquid culture medium for preservation can be relatively simple, as you only need to store the medium and strain under sterile conditions, whereas solid media requires a series of complex operations.

Why Can Only Liquid Culture Medium Preserve Strains?

Liquid culture medium is more suitable for strain reproduction and growth

Because liquid culture medium can provide sufficient nutrients and moisture, it is more suitable for strain reproduction and growth. In contrast, strains in solid media need to obtain nutrients and moisture through diffusion, which is relatively difficult.

Liquid culture medium can maintain a moist environment

The key to preserving strains is maintaining a certain level of humidity, and liquid culture medium can provide enough moisture to keep the environment moist, thus preventing the death of strains.

How to Use Liquid Culture Medium to Preserve Strains?

Using liquid culture medium to preserve strains involves the following steps:

Choose a suitable liquid medium

Different strains have slightly different requirements for liquid culture medium, so it is necessary to choose the appropriate liquid culture medium based on the specific strain.

Suspend the strain in the liquid medium

Inoculate the strain into the liquid medium and use equipment such as a shaker to suspend the strain in the liquid so that it can proliferate and grow.

Store the liquid medium

Store the prepared liquid medium at 4°C to prevent strain contamination and inactivation.

In summary, liquid culture medium is an ideal choice for preserving strains because it provides abundant nutrients and moisture, can maintain a moist environment, and has a long preservation period. Using liquid culture medium to preserve strains requires choosing the appropriate liquid medium, suspending the strain in the liquid, and storing the liquid medium at 4°C for long-term strain preservation.