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Running head: EQUIPMENT USED IN THE MYCOLOGY LABORATORY AND THEIR USES

Equipment used in the Mycology Laboratory and their Uses Nyaguthii Chege Mary Bmls/2020/66474 Mount Kenya University Medical School

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EQUIPMENT USED IN THE MYCOLOGY LABORATORY AND THEIR USES Equipment used in the Mycology Laboratory and their Uses A mycology laboratory enables the laboratory personnel to isolate fungal strains on artificial media by employing aseptic conditions that are facilitated by a laminar chamber and UV light. In addition to the equipment used, several techniques with the utilization of sodium hypochlorite and alcohol are used to sterilize fungal material surfaces. Liquids such as purosept are also used to sterilize the laboratory (McGinnis, 2012). The laboratory also obtains cultures that undergo molecular testing by enabling the isolation of certain fungi species. Hence, a mycology laboratory has various equipment to enhance all the processes and procedures. An analytical balance is a commonly used in a mycology lab as it measures mass in the sub-milligram range. The analytical balance is quite reliable as it is based on the latest technology (Chander, 2017). Therefore, they are precise for the effective completion of activities such as quality control testing, conformance testing, density determination, sampling amounts, and purity analysis Secondly, an autoclave is a pressurized chamber that is used to sterilize and disinfect. Its main advantages lie in the little time it takes, steam and pressure. Therefore, an autoclave is used in a mycology laboratory to sterilize large numbers of medical equipment at a go (Chander, 2017). Additionally, an autoclave is also used to prepare culture media in laboratory applications. Thirdly, a Bunsen burner is a standard tool in most laboratories. This equipment is fueled by gas and burns with a single flame. The Bunsen burner is therefore used for laboratory processes such as combustion, heating and sterilization. Most importantly, it is used for microloop sterilization in a mycology laboratory. Fourthly, a centrifuge is an equipment that facilitates the rotation of objects on one axis. Its working principle entails of the application of an outward force perpendicularly to the axis.

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EQUIPMENT USED IN THE MYCOLOGY LABORATORY AND THEIR USES Hence, it enables the rotation of collected samples hence resulting to the separation of the components of mixtures. The centrifuge is important in a mycology laboratory because it helps separate particles that are suspended in a suspension (Chander, 2017). In addition it is used to separate cell organelles. Fifthly, colony cutter gives an estimate of a liquid culture by keeping count of the colony forming units on culture plates. It enables the laboratory personnel to count manually with a digital counter or through a touch pressure (Chander, 2017). A colony cutter is used in a mycology laboratory to count the colonies available on a culture plate to give an approximate of the concentration of microorganisms in liquid culture. On the other hand, a deep freezer is used to preserve the various things that are used in a mycology laboratory for a long period. Therefore, they are used to preserve medical items for extended time. A homogenizer is also an important equipment that is used to mix different liquids and materials such as tissues. It is used in a mycology laboratory to disrupt cells to acquire cell organelles or various mycological processes. Additionally, a homogenizer is also used in the preparation step before the extraction and purification of various macromolecules. A hot air oven is described as device that is key in sterilizing medical samples and equipment by the use of dry heat. This equipment is useful in sterilizing materials made of metal and glassware. Hence, it helps to destroy microorganisms such as bacterial spores. An incubator is an equipment used to enable the growth and maintenance of cultures and microorganisms. Therefore, it helps to provide optimal pressure, moisture, and temperature for the growth of microorganisms (Chander, 2017). Additionally, incubators have a wide variety of functions ranging from cell structure to fungi research.

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EQUIPMENT USED IN THE MYCOLOGY LABORATORY AND THEIR USES A laminar hood is also used to help avoid microbial contamination in a mycology laboratory. It is used to carry out procedures that are sensitive to contamination. Therefore, it is used for experiments that are associated with genetic changes and plan tissue culture. A magnetic stirrer is an equipment used in a mycology laboratory to help mix liquids. It entails of a rotating electromagnet that creates a magnetic field that enables the stir bar to rotate around the vessel. The magnetic vessel is then then attached to a heating system that heats the liquid being mixed (White, 2019). It is used in a mycology laboratory to mix several liquid elements in a chemical mixture. Additionally, it is preferred mostly since it does not make noise and has a small stir bar. This allows for minimal contamination risks. A microscope also enables the observer have an exceedingly close view of minute particles. It works around the principle of magnifying objects in relation to the object from nature, electromagnets, different positions, and image magnification (White, 2019). Therefore, in a mycology laboratory, a microscope helps to view details, which would have been otherwise hard to view with naked eyes. A pH meter is important in a mycology laboratory as it determines the alkalinity or acidity of a solution. This is achieved by measuring the H- ion concentration in water based solutions. Therefore, it is used to measure the acidity of pharmaceuticals and cultures. Additionally a spectrophotometer is an optical equipment used to measure light intensity in relation to wavelength. Therefore, it is used in a mycology laboratory to measure substance concentration in bacterial growth, proteins, enzymatic reactions and nucleic acids. Lastly. A vortexer entails of a basic technology that is used for mixing samples in glass tubes and flasks. Therefore, it is used in a mycology lab to mix several sample fluids, thus allowing for the homogenization of cell organelles (McGinnis, 2012).

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EQUIPMENT USED IN THE MYCOLOGY LABORATORY AND THEIR USES In conclusion, a mycology laboratory needs equipment’s to facilitate the study of microbes and fungi. This will enhance it to properly grow and culture the organism. The equipment are also used to assist in preparing the growth medium. Additionally, they help to ensure consistent and accurate results.

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EQUIPMENT USED IN THE MYCOLOGY LABORATORY AND THEIR USES References Chander, J. (2017). Textbook of medical mycology. JP Medical Ltd. McGinnis, M. R. (2012). Laboratory handbook of medical mycology. Elsevier. White, P. L. (2019). Recent advances and novel approaches in laboratory-based diagnostic mycology. Medical mycology, 57(Supplement_3), S259-S266.

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