Like you and me bacteria need food to grow so let's make some food that our bacteria will LOVE. Its full of vitamins, amino acids, carbon, minerals and of course salt, without salt they won't live (they live in the ocean after all).



TSA agar gel recipe:



Per Liter of deionized water: (you can always reduce it by 1/2 or 1/4 if you don't need the whole liter)

40g TSA agar (or directions per liter depending on which company makes it)

30g Salt



Mix together in a large beaker or saucepan on a heating plate or stove.



If you are going to use a pressure cooker you just have to heat it up until it mixes because using the pressure cooker to autoclave it will sterilize it...if you don't have a pressure cooker bring the mix to a steady controlled rolling boil to sterilize it.



Pressure cooker instructions (wannabe autoclave)

Pour dissolved mixture of TSA, and Salt in a flask with a rag SLIGHTLY in the mouth and place in cooker. Place glass petri dishes (not needed if you bought some sterile plastic sealed ones) in as well. Fill cooker with about 1-2 inches of water. Seal pressure cooker and set heat to high When the top valve starts to dance and hiss start a timer for 15 min When time is up turn off heat and let cool down until pressure valve retracts

Your agar gel and petri dishes are now completely sterilized !!! ( the steam molecules created under pressure bounces around and kills any organisms that were present)P.S. you may want to research how to use pressure cookers if you haven't used one before as they can be a little scary.I HIGHLY recommend buying some sterile petri dishes from the net (around $7 U.S.) because it will ensure your bacteria don't get contaminated with other bacteria that are competing for the same space. But if not you can try boiling glass bowls or dishes that can withstand high temps....like pyrex for example for about 15 min.and while both arecool enough to handle (use a oven mit) pour the solution into the dishes and cover with lid or plastic wrap if using bowls.Let cool until agar solution cools and hardens into a gel, when it hardens flip the dishes...this ensures no bacteria fall on the gel from the lid.They are now ready for your bacteria.