Question

Microorganisms were inoculated on two agar plates and incubated for 24 hours. After incubation, no microbial colonies were seen on the spread plate agar, but three microbial colonies were seen in the pour plate agar. What may account for this observation and how can growth of this microorganism be enhanced? Microorganisms were inoculated on two agar plates and incubated for 24 hours. After incubation, no microbial colonies were seen on the spread plate agar, but three microbial colonies were seen in the pour plate agar. What may account for this observation and how can growth of this microorganism be enhanced?

Answer 1

The microorganisms that grow on the spread plate are all aerobic microbes and facultative anaerobes. The microbes on the pour plate can grow on the surface of the agar and also within the agar and the microbes that grow within the agar are obligate anaerobes. Hence the colony that is being formed in the pour plate method is of an obligate anaerobe and cannot grow on a spread plate agar plate. To enhance the growth of this microbe these microbes an oxygen depleted environment should be created which will favour the growth of the obligate anaerobe.

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