Microbial Art Fixation on Agar Plate: MicArt Fixation for Microbiology Teaching

Abstract

Art based science materials engage students for learning all of the unseen microscobic creatures in easy way microbiology field. In this study we aimed to visualize bacterial and fungal species in artistic way. Inoculation of the colourful strains on agar plate as painting the agar with bacteria, provides beautiful round scenes and clear reminiscence related with the species learning for microbe world. For this purpose, we determined the different concentrations and exposure times of formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, xylene, toluene, ethyl alcohol, epoxy, glycerin and phenol. We aimed to develop a protocol after determining the optimum storage times. As a method, we exposed all chemicals except epoxy to Petri dishes by spraying method for 1, 5, 10 min. As a result, we determined the fixative that provides the best protection is toluene. After 1 min of toluene exposure, we determined that the Petri dish with growth can be preserved for 6 months even under room conditions without disturbing the color and shape of the whole colony morphology. Here, we obtained best fixation process by using toluen, typically 1 min, depending on the species, was most promising for the preservation of art.