Inoculating loop

Pass the inoculating loop through a Bunsen-burner flame until it is red hot. This kills microorganisms on the loop.

A sterile inoculating loop transfers a small sample from a culture vial to fresh growth medium. A reusable loop can be sterilised in a flame and allowed to cool before it touches the sample; a hot loop could kill the microorganisms being transferred. Open the culture vial only for the transfer, then replace its cap promptly.

A sterile inoculating loop is needed to transfer the sample. A reusable wire loop is heated along its length in a Bunsen flame until it glows red, then allowed to cool. Heating kills microorganisms on the loop; cooling stops the hot wire killing the microorganisms being transferred.