A Petri dish is a shallow, circular glass or plastic-lidded dish that scientists use to culture cells, grow bacteria, and perform other laboratory experiments.
It is named after German bacteriologist Julius Richard Petri, who invented it in 1877 and was originally made from porcelain. It was coated with beeswax before adding a layer of glass gelatine, but these days they are typically made from plastic or glass.
The dishes are typically filled with a growth medium, such as agar, and then inoculated with microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, or other cells.
The lid helps keep the medium from drying out and also prevents contamination from outside sources. Petri dishes are widely used in the field of microbiology, as they provide an ideal environment for the growth and study of microorganisms.
Types of Petri Dishes
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There are many different types of Petri dishes that are used in microbiology labs.
The most common type is the Standard Petri dish which is used to culture microorganisms on agar plates.
Other types of Petri dishes include those with lids that can be used to contain volatile chemicals, those with multiple compartments for culturing different microorganisms, and those with grids or coverslips that can be used to observe organisms under a microscope.
Glass or plastic is used to make Petri dishes. Typically, plastic Petri dishes are made of polystyrene or polycarbonate, while glass Petri dishes are composed of polycarbonate. The plastic Petri dishes must be thrown away after use; the glass Petri plates can be reused. Compared to glass Petri dishes, plastic Petri dishes are lighter, making them easier to handle.
No matter what type of Petri dish you use, they all provide a sterile environment to cultivate microorganisms.
Petri Dishes Sizes
You can find Petri dishes in a variety of sizes.
Small dishes usually range from 60mm to 100mm in diameter,
Larger dishes can be up to 150mm or larger.
The size of the petri dish you need will depend on the project or experiment you are conducting.
Glass Petri Dishes
Glass Petri dishes are great for scientific experiments and research. They provide a secure, sterile environment that can help grow bacteria and other microorganisms.
You can find them in most scientific supply stores or online.
Uses of Petri Dishes
Because it is composed of transparent glass or plastic, the petri dish is transparent. Therefore, microorganisms can be seen and studied outside of a plate.
- The preserved microbe is kept in a petri dish for a predetermined amount of time. Cultured media plates can be kept in the refrigerator by simply wrapping them in parafilm tape or aluminum foil.
- Skin grafts and organoids are grown in a petri dish.
- Plant germination is studied in the early stages using a petri dish.
- Insects and their behavior are studied on Petri dishes.
- In the chemistry lab, a petri dish is used to dry the precipitates and evaporate the solvent.
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Best Petri Dishes
When choosing a petri dish, it’s important to consider the use it will be put to, the size and shape of the dish, and the type of material used to make it.
For general laboratory use, a standard 90mm or 60mm dish made of plastic or glass is usually sufficient.
For applications that require higher temperature stability, a stainless steel dish may be better.
Additionally, there are Petri dishes with different shapes, such as round, square, or triangular, which can be helpful for specific experiments.
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We have brought some of the best products which are papular among the researchers and lab technicians and give desired results.
Let’s have a look at the best products with the best feature they are offering
1. Pyrex Petri Dishes (Pack of 12)
Material : Borosillicate Glass
Dimensions: 100 mm DIA x 15 mm H
Weight: 2.12 Pounds
Key Features
- Pyrex Petri Dishes are clear, flat culture dishes that can tolerate multiple sterilizations (wet or dry).
- Higher mechanical strength is provided by the beaded edges. Additionally, the bead creates an equal distance between the bottom and cover walls, which lessens the capillary action of accumulated moisture on the sides.
- Any of the methods frequently used in laboratories, where sterilization is a major consideration in normal or in specialized work, have no chemical or thermal effects on these dishes. The dish that is covered is not airtight.
- To facilitate sorting, the tops are marked with blue enamel and the bottoms with white enamel.
- For repeated dilutions, bottoms also have a triangular, enamel reference point.
2. Hand2mind Corning Lab Petri Dishes (Pack of 25)
Material: Polystyrene
Dimensions : 100 mm DIA x 15 mm H
Weight: 14.39 Ounces
Key Features
- Hand2mind Corning Lab Petri Dishes is a basic science resource that no lab can afford to be without!
- Petri dishes are made of sterilized polystyrene with flared lids.
- These Petri dishes are a basic science resource that no lab can afford to be without.
- Each set contains 25 Petri dishes with flared lids.
- The Petri dishes are made from sterilized polystyrene.
- Ideal for use in education, research, and all types of science.
- For any kid’s science experiments are perfect for classroom use.
3. Plastic Petri Dishes with Lids Pack of 12
Material: Polypropylene Plastic
Dimensions : 50 mm DIA x 13 mm H
Weight: 3.84 Ounces
Key Features
- Plastic Petri Dishes are Non-toxic, non-sterile, multifunctional, and ready to use.
- Made of high-quality, unbreakable polypropylene that features high heat tolerance, and good to excellent chemical resistance. Translucent for easy examination of culture growth.
- Each petri dish is reusable and simple to clean. Top rack dishwasher safe. Autoclavable for easy sterilization.
- Excellent for general laboratory applications, including cell culturing, plant germination, precipitate drying, and solvent evaporation.
- Designed for use in professional laboratories, and is an ideal choice for science classrooms and household use.
4. Celltreat Non-Treated Petri Dish with Grip (Pack of 500)
Material: Polypropylene Plastic
Dimensions : 100 mm DIA x 17 mm H
Weight : 27.4 Pound
Key Features
- Celltreat Non-Treated Petri dishes are not tissue culture treated
- The surface is hydrophobic and does not facilitate cell attachment
- All dishes are supplied with lids
- Lids contain molded spacers for gas exchange
- Dishes have stacking rings for increased stability
5. Corning Petri Culture Dish with Cover (Pack of 12)
Material: Polypropylene Plastic
Dimensions : 100 mm DIA x 15 mm H
Weight: 27.4 Pound
Key Features
- Corning Petri Culture Dish covered dish is not airtight
- Bottoms also have a triangular enamel reference point for serial dilutions
- They are not affected chemically or thermally by any of the methods commonly employed in laboratories where sterilization is routinely used
- The bead also provides a means to equally space the sidewalls of the bottom and cover, thereby reducing the capillary action of the condensed moisture on the sides
FAQ’s
What’s the difference between agar plate and Petri dish?
A Petri dish is a shallow cylindrical container used to culture cells or small organisms. It is made of plastic or glass and is often used for experiments in microbiology, genetics, and biochemistry. An agar plate is a Petri dish that contains a gel-like substance called agar. Agar is a nutrient-rich environment that helps cells or organisms grow. The difference is that Petri dishes do not contain agar, while agar plates do.
What can I use instead of a Petri dish?
If you’re looking for something to use instead of a Petri dish, there are a few options. You could use a culture tube, a test tube, or even a glass slide with a cover slip. Each of these will allow you to grow and observe microorganisms, but they may be better suited to different applications. If you’re unsure of which to use, it might be a good idea to consult a specialist in the field to help you choose the right tool for your needs.
What is the best agar to grow bacteria?
The best agar to grow bacteria depends on the type of bacteria you are trying to grow and the purpose of the experiment. Generally speaking, tryptone agar is a good all-purpose medium for culturing bacteria. It’s a nutrient-rich agar that provides essential amino acids and other nutrients for bacterial growth. You may also want to consider the specific requirements of your bacteria, such as temperature, oxygen, and pH preferences. Be sure to check out the instructions for the particular agar you are using to ensure you get the best res
