Inoculating Needle Views
High impact polystyrene loops and needles are smooth and flexible to facilitate uniform and smooth streaking without damaging the gel surface. Needles are straight and suitable for removal of specimens of single colonies. Packed sterile in safe, tamper proof, zip-seal resealable bags. Disposable inoculating loops and needles do not need flaming and thus eliminate the risk of infection due to aerosol formation of pathogenic substances. Cross-contamination due to improper sterilization is eliminated. They can be used under hoods without danger, and are color-coded for ease of size identification. Certificate of conformity available upon request. Total length: 22.7 cm. Packaged 25 per bag, 40 bags per case or 10 per bag, 100 bags per case. Download Product Literature
Our high quality, gamma radiation sterilized inoculating needle is made from polystyrene. Packed in a sterile zip-seal bag. Features an ultra-smooth surface for easy streaking without damaging the gel suface. Needles are ideal for the removal of single colonies. Evan's Blue Dye Method Certification enclosed in each box.
An inoculating needle is a piece of stainless steel, nichrome, platinum, or other wire mounted in a handle. The wire can be any size. Small diameter wires require less time to heat and cool. Most people use 26 guage platinum or 25 guage nichrome wire. I use 20 guage nichrome because that is the size I have. A 20 guage wire has a larger diameter than a 26 guage wire and takes longer to heat and cool..
If you have a dissecting needle holder, loosen the vise nut, remove the dissecting needle and insert your inoculating needle or inoculating loop. I often make a handle from a 15 cm length of aluminum wire 4 or 5 mm in diameter. I drill a small hole about 1 cm into the handle at one end. Then I hammer on the sides of the handle so the hole closes around the wire. Before inserting the wire I bend about 2 mm of the wire back on its self. A needle I made that way is still nearly as good as new after 18 years of use. You may use a file to round the edges of the aluminum handle. At Salem High School, Indiana, students in metal shop made similar handles from brass brazing rods using the above directions..
Inoculating Needle Images
