Reusing agar plates - (Jan/31/2008 )

This may be a silly question but I was wondering if I can reuse my agar plates. That is, I plated E. coli on them yesterday and nothing grew O/N at 37 and I was wondering if I could do a quick test today (nothing too important; I just want to check if my old stock of E. coli is alive or not) using the same plates I used before where nothing grew.

Thanks,
Pedro

-Pedro-

QUOTE (Pedro @ Feb 1 2008, 04:37 AM)

Hi, I wouldnt do that, because if your e.coli are slow growing they may affect your results, you're not to know that what grows up is the old stocks or new. what kind of plates are you using, E. coli should grow on almost anything!
Hope i can help,
Katie

-KatieB-

QUOTE (KatieB @ Feb 1 2008, 03:23 AM)

QUOTE (Pedro @ Feb 1 2008, 04:37 AM)

Thanks for the response.
I'm using plates with 100 Amp.

-Pedro-

I wouldn't reuse the plates. I would uncomfortable even if I get the expected result.

-scolix-

I would think much of the Amp is degraded during an ON incubation at 37oC. I would definitely not reuse them.

-lilly78-

Ok, thanks for the advice. I'll make some new plates on Monday.

-Pedro-