Schüttelkulturen

Schüttelkulturen, also known as shake cultures or shaken cultures, are a technique used in microbiology for cultivating microorganisms, particularly bacteria and fungi, in a liquid medium. This method involves growing the microorganisms in a flask that is continuously agitated on a shaker. The agitation serves several crucial purposes in the cultivation process.

Firstly, the shaking ensures adequate aeration of the liquid medium. By agitating the culture, oxygen from the air above the liquid is dispersed throughout, providing the necessary oxygen supply for aerobic microorganisms to grow and reproduce efficiently. This prevents the formation of anaerobic pockets within the culture.

Secondly, shaking helps to keep the microorganisms suspended evenly in the growth medium. Without agitation, microorganisms, especially those that are denser, would settle at the bottom of the flask, leading to uneven growth and potentially nutrient depletion in some areas while others are over-supplied.

Furthermore, the constant movement can also aid in nutrient distribution, ensuring that the microorganisms have access to the dissolved nutrients in the medium. This consistent mixing promotes faster and more uniform growth rates compared to static cultures.

Schüttelkulturen are commonly used in research laboratories for a variety of applications, including growing large quantities of microbial biomass for experiments, studying microbial physiology, and producing microbial products. The choice of shaker speed and flask type depends on the specific microorganism being cultivated and the desired growth conditions.