Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Chemistry => Topic started by: Bill.D.Katt. on 06/10/2011 16:06:54

Title: Can one make petri dish material from pasta?
Post by: Bill.D.Katt. on 06/10/2011 16:06:54

After making some pasta in very little water, I noticed that what water remained after I poured it out had congealed to a jello like blob. Is this because of the starch? And if so, would this work to grow bacterial cultures?

Title: Can one make petri dish material from pasta?
Post by: Bored chemist on 06/10/2011 18:48:41

A lot of bacteria will produce enzymes that dissolve the starch. That's why they use agar; fewer organisms have evolved to eat boiled seaweed.