Anaerobes in CO2 incubators - (Mar/27/2015 )

Hello everyone

Got a quick question for you if you can help me.

I want to buy this equipment where I need to grow Lactobacillus in anaerobic condictions. I understand a CO2 incubator is cheaper than a anaerobic chamber and would do same work ok.

But what about obligate anaerobes? There is this new Brunswick CO2 incubator with an accessory that allows me to control O2 (1% to 95%) as well. Do you think that would allow me to grow most of the obligate anaerobes? More specifically Clostridium, Thermus and Thermonanaerobacter thermohydrosulfuricus?

Thanks

Adriana

Short answer: No.

Those organisms are very sensitive to oxygen, and you need much better than 95% CO2 to get rid of the O2. 

Anaerobic chambers typically are flooded with 5% hydrogen mixed with some nitrogen and CO2. The hydrogen, at this concentration, is not explosive, but reacts readily in the presence of a palladium catalyst with any residual oxygen in the chamber to give water.

For small scale fermentations, you can use anaerobic jars, which have a chemical insert which removes oxygen.