Devices for culturing anaerobic microorganisms and methods of using the same

An article for culturing microorganisms, comprising:

• a) a container comprising at least one film layer comprising an oxygen scavenger;
• and
• b) a device for growing microorganisms, the device comprising:
• i) a supporting substrate having opposing inner and outer surfaces;
• ii) a cover sheet having opposing inner and outer surfaces affixed to at least one edge of the inner surface of said supporting substrate and positioned to cover at least a portion of said supporting substrate;
• and
• iii) culture media for supporting the growth of microorganisms;
• wherein the device for growing microorganisms is enclosed by the container.

A method for determining microorganism counts in a device comprising a culture media, wherein the device is enclosed in a discrete container comprising an oxygen scavenger, comprising the steps of:

• a) exposing the container comprising the oxygen scavenger to actinic radiation at a dosage sufficient to trigger the oxygen scavenger;
• b) inoculating the culture media of the device with a predetermined volume of aqueous test sample;
• c) placing the device in said container;
• d) closing the container;
• e) incubating the device;
• and
• f) counting the number of microorganism colonies growing on the culture media.

A method for determining microorganism counts, comprising the steps of:

• a) exposing a device to actinic radiation at a dose sufficient to trigger an oxygen scavenger within the device, the device comprising
• i) a supporting substrate having opposing inner and outer surfaces;
• ii) a cover sheet having opposing inner and outer surfaces affixed to at least one edge of the inner surface of said supporting substrate and positioned to cover at least a portion of said supporting substrate;
• and
• iii) culture media for supporting the growth of microorganisms;
• b) inoculating the culture media of the device with a predetermined volume of aqueous test sample;
• c) incubating the device;
• and
• d) counting the number of microorganism colonies growing on the culture media.

A method of making an anaerobic culture media device useful for growing microorganisms comprising:

• a) providing a supporting substrate having opposing inner and outer surfaces that incorporates a culture media on the inner surface;
• b) providing a cover sheet having opposing inner and outer surfaces;
• c) coating a layer of the cover sheet with adhesive and uniformly affixing a gelling agent and nutrient medium to the inner surface;
• and
• d) affixing the cover sheet to at least one edge of the inner surface of said supporting substrate;
• the cover sheet positioned to cover at least a portion of said supporting substrate;
• wherein at least one of the supporting substrate and cover sheet comprises an oxygen scavenger and an oxygen barrier.