2006-07-27 07:09:17 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
I think you're refering to agar, the growth medium used to grow bacteria and molds. It ferments simply because it contains sugars (to assist in the growth). Anytime you have a substance which contains sugars and it is contaminated with yeasts, it can ferment.
The best way to avoid future fermentation is to cover and refridgerate as soon as possible. The longer the agar is exposed to the air, the more likely it is to get contamination.
2006-07-27 07:16:33 · answer #1 · answered by deepdiver32073 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Very few microbes can actually ferment agar, and when they do, they liquify that region of your plate. Like a previous post stated, the microbes ferment the sugars added to the agar base.
By the way, "ferment" means that a microbe has broken down the sugar and released bi-products. This happens because the microbe can derive energy from it.
2006-07-31 13:37:32 · answer #2 · answered by billycrypto 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Agar itself cannot ferment. The fermentaion is due to sugars added to the agar base. Agar is nothing more than a seaweed derivative that allows certain bacteriological growth medias to harden, similar to gelatin.
2006-07-27 14:20:22 · answer #3 · answered by GOSHAWK 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋