Aseptic Technique
What is Aseptic Technique?
 Aseptic technique is a method used in
laboratories or clinical setting to prevent the
transmission of unwanted organisms.
Aseptic Technique (cont.)
 The goal is to prevent contamination of what you are
working on, whether it is someone’s wound or a bacterial
culture that is of interest.
 Microorganisms are everywhere! In the environment and
in and on your body
 Therefore, aseptic technique takes vigilance as bacteria
and other microbes may be present on your work bench,
floating in the air currents, etc.
 Proper aseptic technique can prevent contamination
from any source.
Minimizing/Eliminating Contamination
 One way to minimize contamination is to not
perform your techniques in drafty areas, this lessens
the chance of air-born microorganisms
contaminating your culture.
 Also you should always make sure that the surface
that you are working on has been disinfected,
eliminating another potential source of
contamination.
Minimizing/Eliminating Contamination
 Any materials that will contact your experiments
should be sterilized by flaming and all supplies
should not be exposed to the air.
 Any lids that are removed from your experiment
should never be placed on the bench top since that is
another source of contamination. Instead, they
should be held in your hands in an inverted position
so no microorganisms can fall into the lid and be
introduced into your experiment.
Aseptic Technique Basics
 Aseptic Technique is perhaps best learned by
observing and practicing. The video link below
provides an excellent visual introduction to some of
the basics of aseptic technique in the microbiology
lab.
Aseptic Technique Video
Flaming an Inoculating Loop
Inoculating a Broth
Inoculating an agar slant from an agar plate