Contamination problems

[Tsuchibuta]

If you are having contamination after pressure cooking that is cause for concern. Have you tried disinfecting the room you are working in prior to making your flasks? You can mop the floors and wipe the counters with bleach or lysol wipes. Also you could use aerosol sprays (Lysol type) and disinfect the air itself. This may reduce your contamination rates considerably.

[Tsuchibuta]

Originally Posted by Mxptrsn

Tsuchitbuta, I've just visited your blog and they're interesting and quite informative!! I've a couple of questions though. Do you find it sufficient, in terms of sterility rate, to use your flasking cabinet to sow your orchid seeds? I personally use glove box. But I really doubt if contaminants could get in any time when I try to open and close the caps of my baby food jars.
I use 70% ethanol to surface-sterilize my glove box. But, I really doubt if it's gonna be sterile enough.

I haven't really had a significant amount of post sow contamination, in any method that I try (glovebox, open air, and gas fumigation). It could be because I'm very methodical about making sure everything has been sterilized that I'm using. I will wipe the outsides of containers with lysol or bleach prior to opening any of them. Personally I don't find ethanol to be a very viable sterilization method (in 70% strength). When I used to do volunteer work in the herpetology dept. at a natural history museum, I was told that we had to use 80% or stronger in the specimen jars. I have tried lysol brand wipes and they seem to be very effective (and smell nice too) at sterilization.

Ultimately I think it's key to work fast. The less time the flask is open the less chance of contamination.

[Mxptrsn]

Originally Posted by Tsuchibuta

I haven't really had a significant amount of post sow contamination, in any method that I try (glovebox, open air, and gas fumigation). It could be because I'm very methodical about making sure everything has been sterilized that I'm using. I will wipe the outsides of containers with lysol or bleach prior to opening any of them. Personally I don't find ethanol to be a very viable sterilization method (in 70% strength). When I used to do volunteer work in the herpetology dept. at a natural history museum, I was told that we had to use 80% or stronger in the specimen jars. I have tried lysol brand wipes and they seem to be very effective (and smell nice too) at sterilization.

Ultimately I think it's key to work fast. The less time the flask is open the less chance of contamination.

Today, I've tried everything you said. And, you're absolutely right. The result is really satisfying. Thank you!

Have a great and successful life, Tsuchibuta.