Nutrient agar

[Ophélie Queffurus]

Hi there!

Anybody know where I could find some nutrient agar in canada? I would like to make some tests to set up an artistic installation...

Thanks!

[Ophélie Queffurus]

Ok thanks!

I do have agar -which i've bought in asian stores- and I usually use oatmeal to feed them but for this particular project I wanted the food to be "unseen" so I'm gonna give a try to the corn starch!

[ian]

Non nutrient is definitely a better choice - it won't start growing horrible things after a few days!

If it absolutely has to be nutrient agar you might try 10g corn starch instead of the oats

[Heather Barnett]

If you want it to be translucent then you might be better off using 2% non-nutrient agar and then placing whole oats strategically. You can usually buy agar from science educational suppliers. Or if you have any Asian food stores nearby you can buy cooking agar - which is often far cheaper.

[Ophélie Queffurus]

Thanks Ian, 

Should I mix the oatmeal? I would like my agar to be as translucid as possible...

[ian]

It might be a bit late for you but 15g Agar, 30g Oatmeal in 1 litre of water makes the standard nutrient agar. Pressure cook for 20 mins to sterile. Or grow them on damp paper and feed them oats directly.