Can I refreeze the gelatin media that has melted while bacterial growth?

bradlepe

New member
Gelatin isn't the ideal media to use since it does have a relatively low melting point (agar, for example, doesn't melt until it's heated to about 65C).

What temperature do you plan to set the gelatin at? As long as you don't put it in the freezer, the bacteria should remain viable. Bacteria don't grow very well at cold temperatures (0-10C). At room temperature, they should grow and the gelatin should remain solid (assuming room temperature is between 20-25C).

However, since the bacteria were already spread when the gelatin melted, you probably won't get discrete colonies (you'll probably just see smears of bacteria) since in liquid phase, the bacteria can move around and spread out.

If I were you, I'd repeat it and make sure the gelatin doesn't melt at the incubation temperature or use agar instead.
 
I made media to culture bacteria on my hand with gelatin from my local grocery store, but when I stored it at 35 degrees celcius, it melted and became liquid. So can I refreeze the media and put it somewhere with a lower temperature?

p.s. before the media melted, I have already spread out the bacteria on my hand with a swab.
 
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