[ayobacteria (OP)]

Hello,

I want to conduct research on the effects of our diet, specifically prebiotic and probiotics foods, on antibiotic resistance.

I was thinking I could use E. Coli and expose the bacteria to different foods that contain prebiotics and probiotics, such as pickle juice, then put them on an agar plate with an antibiotic on it and observe at what pace the bacteria develop resistance. I would compare these results to those of E. Coli that were exposed to different foods, combinations of foods, or no food at all.

My first question is, how can I expose the E. Coli to different foods? For example, pickle juice. I know that pickle juice contains some probiotics, but how can efficiently expose my E. Coli bacteria to it? Do I dilute the pickle juice and pour it onto the agar plate that I put my E. Coli on as well? Is an agar plate not the best place to expose the E. Coli to probiotics?

My next question is, after I've exposed the E. Coli to the different foods, how can I transfer those E. Coli colonies to an agar plate with the antibiotic? I just feel like I can't pick up a colony from one agar plate and slap it onto another agar plate.

And finally, I'm very curious how to differentiate an E. Coli colony from a probiotic colony. From what I've heard, these bacteria look very similar on an agar plate, so how can I differentiate them?

Sorry if these are very beginner questions, I'm new to performing research in a lab but I'm very motivated to learn.

Thank you so much, any help is much appreciated!

[Bored chemist]

I was thinking I could use E. Coli

Use something that isn't ever pathogenic.

[ayobacteria (OP)]

I can only use E. Coli

[Bored chemist]

I can only use E. Coli

If you can't do it safely, you shouldn't do it at all.

[dervid30]

If you can safely do it yes, if not, do not even try, I do not advise you if you cannot safely do it, it is better to give it to someone and let them do it by specialists