[enso]

So, I just streaked my first plates.  Fun!   

I used my inoculation loop as most sources I have read instruct.

I have an inoculation needle though as well.  In my eagerness to get going I placed an order with more beer and got their overpriced needle.  This was before I learned about cynmar.  So now I have both and I am not sure what the needle is for.

What I have read indicates that the loop is for streaking plates and slants and the needle is for stabs.  I don't understand the purpose of a stab though.  I get that you stab the inoculated needle into the agar in a slant, but what does that do?  How do you then work with this?

[Kaiser]

stab cultures tend to remain viable longer since the yeast grows inside the agar where it doesn’t have access to oxygen. I had a few cases of 12+ month old yeast where the slant culture was dead but the stab culture still had live cells which I was able to culture on a plate and then in new slants and stabs.

Kai

[enso]

Okay thanks. 

How do you then access this yeast inside the agar to propagate it?

[Kaiser]

How do you then access this yeast inside the agar to propagate it?

stab the needle in it a few times and then streak it over the plate. That's what I do and it seems to work. You don't really have to stab exacly into the hole you made first. There seems to be enough viable yeast throughout the agar.

Kai

[Thirsty_Monk]

Thank you for the info.
I also have both loop and needle but so far I used loop only.

[dean]

Do I "need" a loop, or will the needle suffice?   

[Thirsty_Monk]

I think needle could do the job.

[dean]

I hope so, I'm going to try streaking soon... who was it that wrote the song "they call him the streak?"   Don't looook Ethel!   

[roffenburger]

Do I "need" a loop, or will the needle suffice?   

You can make a loop from your needle. Just wrap the end of your needle into a loop. You can use a nail or something similar to help form it.

[dean]

You can make a loop from your needle. Just wrap the end of your needle into a loop. You can use a nail or something similar to help form it.

After reading that I took a closer look at the needle.  The part that I thought was a handle on it is actually a slip on cover over the needle which is a fine wire... so I guess I can make a loop.   Prior to this I had only looked at it inside the case and I thought the fat wire was the needle... wow this thing has a long handle on it and the needle part is probably 3 to 4 inches long.  Thanks for making that post... it made me take a closer look at it.   

[Hokerer]

who was it that wrote the song "they call him the streak?"   Don't looook Ethel!   

You mean Ray Stevens?  here...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85krLPrWWTY

[enso]

One last questions on stab cultures.  I would suppose then that it is not necessary to prepare the vials for this on a slant?  Meaning, one would simple pour the agar solution into the vial, sterilize, and then let cool standing straight up?

[Kaiser]

Yes, that's what I do.

[enso]

Many thanks Kaiser!

Slàinte Mhath!