An incubator is an optimal condition of temperature and humidity that supports the growth of microorganisms. Microbes, such as bacteria and fungi, require specific environmental conditions to grow and multiply. An incubator is designed to provide these conditions for a given period, which varies depending on the organism being studied or cultured. Incubators are commonly used by microbiologists and researchers studying infectious diseases, but they may also be used by plant breeders, food manufacturers, and forensic pathologists.
It's vital laboratory equipment necessary for cultivating and growing microorganisms. Unicellular and multicellular microorganisms that can multiply in the laboratory require certain environmental conditions to grow. An incubator is a closed chamber where temperature and humidity are set at optimal levels for the selected microorganism's growth.
Different Main Types of Incubators
There are several different types of Laboratory incubators available. Each type is designed to meet the specific needs of a particular lab or research facility. Here are they:
These specialized incubators regulate the CO2 levels in the incubation chamber, allowing microbes to thrive and grow efficiently. This type of Incubator ensures the growth of the cultivation of different bacteria and fungi. The Incubator has a cabinet that holds water to help regulate humidity.
Cooled incubators:
These incubators are designed to maintain a lower temperature inside the chamber. They are commonly used for culturing cells or microbes that require cooler temperatures to grow and thrive, such as viruses and other pathogens. The heating and cooling controls on the Incubator should be set so that the temperature is balanced.
These incubators are designed to allow materials to be shaken inside the chamber. You can use them for cultivating microbes, plants, or cells that need to be regularly mixed to promote growth and development. It quickly and evenly heats the culture vessel while maintaining high turbulence levels.
Parts of the laboratory Incubator
An incubator is made of several parts. Here are they:
Chamber
The most important part is a chamber where the temperature, humidity, and light intensity are controlled. Usually, the chamber is airtight to prevent contamination of microorganisms growing inside it. The special construction of incubator walls allows for heat energy conversion through evaporation. The capacity ranging from 20 to 800L is a determining factor for the Incubator's price. The outer part of the chamber is made of stainless steel, and the inner is made of aluminum. The space between these walls is filled with glass wool. The insulation prevents temperature and humidity loss while the microorganism growth takes place.
Door
The door is made of thick clear glass to ensure sufficient light intensity inside the chamber. The door is kept closed during incubation but can be easily opened to allow for regular work and maintenance. Not only does the door contain insulation, but this also helps to create an airtight seal around the chamber. Doing so significantly decreases heat loss. An asbestos door gasket is present to prevent outside air from intruding into the chamber.
Control Panel
This includes various instruments that enable users to control the incubator temperature and relative humidity. Temperature is set using a thermostat, whereas a hygrometer monitors relative humidity. The most common type of Incubator uses electronic controls, which you can easily adjust through the digital display screen.
Thermostat
This device controls the chamber temperature, and you can adjust it manually or automatically depending on the user's needs. A thermostat consists of a bimetallic strip, which bends when heated and generates an electrical signal that tells the Incubator to start heating. The spring inside the thermostat determines how much heat is produced. The thermostat will maintain the Incubator at your set temperature until it is turned off or the temperature is changed.
Humidity Controller
This device regulates the relative humidity inside the chamber and protects microorganisms from extreme temperature and moisture conditions. The CO2 incubators are equipped with humidity sensors, while the CO2 incubators have special humidifiers that moisten the air inside the chamber. Both can be adjusted manually or automatically to ensure optimal environmental conditions for different microorganisms' growth.
Perforated shelves
These are used to hold the culture medium, which is later added to the chamber. Several shelves can be stacked inside the Incubator to accommodate different volumes of microorganisms. They are usually made of aluminum and have several holes for air circulation. The shelves' perforations allow hot air movement throughout the chamber, eliminating the need for extra fans.
HEPA filters
HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters prevent contamination and microorganisms from entering the Incubator. They are fitted in the chamber air inlet, and they remove particles larger than 0.3 μm, including dust, bacteria, viruses, spores, and pollen. The air pump with filters creates a system that runs in a loop and only uses clean air from outside the Incubator.
Different Types of Incubators
There are several different types of incubators available. Each type is designed to meet the specific needs of a particular lab or research facility. Here are they:
CO2 incubators:
These specialized incubators regulate the CO2 levels in the incubation chamber, allowing microbes to thrive and grow efficiently. This type of Incubator ensures the growth of the cultivation of different bacteria and fungi. The Incubator has a cabinet that holds water to help regulate humidity.
Cooled incubators:
These incubators are designed to maintain a lower temperature inside the chamber. They are commonly used for culturing cells or microbes that require cooler temperatures to grow and thrive, such as viruses and other pathogens. The heating and cooling controls on the Incubator should be set so that the temperature is balanced.
Benchtop incubators:
These compact incubators are designed for use in smaller labs and research facilities that require a space-efficient alternative to larger, more expensive chambers. They typically feature adjustable temperature and humidity levels and easy controls for setting the right conditions for your microorganisms or cultures.
Portable Incubator:
These incubators are designed to provide the same functions and features as larger, more expensive models but in a convenient and portable package. They are ideal for researchers who need to move their cultures from lab to lab or collaborate with other scientists at different research facilities.
Shaker incubator:
These incubators are designed to allow materials to be shaken inside the chamber. You can use them for cultivating microbes, plants, or cells that need to be regularly mixed to promote growth and development. It quickly and evenly heats the culture vessel while maintaining high turbulence levels.
Different Applications of laboratory Incubator
The Incubator is a useful tool for culturing microorganisms and cells. It can also regulate the temperature and humidity levels in an environment. This allows for optimal growth conditions for the cultures being incubated. Additionally, the Incubator can be used to shake materials inside the chamber.
In labs and research facilities, incubators are often used for various experimentation and testing. Some incubators are used for reproducing microbial colonies (like breeding insects and hatching eggs) and testing to create antibiotics.
They can support medical research or investigations into the effectiveness of new treatments or drugs. Incubators aren't only providing an optimal environment for sample storage, but they also give scientists the ability to control different variables.
Overall, the wide range of applications for incubators makes them a valuable tool for researchers and scientists across many disciplines.
How Incubator Works
An incubator is a device used to provide a controlled environment for microorganisms to grow and develop. It typically consists of an insulated chamber containing shelves or racks to hold the culture medium. The inner walls are made with either glass or aluminum and are lined with a thick layer of insulation to prevent heat loss.
The thermostat maintains a constant temperature inside the chamber and is typically controlled automatically via a digital display screen or a set of buttons. A humidity controller regulates the relative humidity level, which is monitored using an onboard hygrometer.
The temperature is controlled by a bimetallic strip's heating and cooling cycles, while the CO2 incubators have humidity sensors or humidifiers to regulate moisture levels. During the heating cycle, the strip heats up and bends, which triggers an electric signal to turn on the Incubator. The spring inside the thermostat determines how much heat is produced based on the surrounding temperature.
Perforated shelves are used for airflow circulation, while L-shaped thermometers measure air and culture media temperatures. Additionally, HEPA filters prevent contamination and microorganisms from entering the Incubator.
The insulation from the outside creates a stable microenvironment within the chamber, allowing microorganisms to thrive and grow without being affected by external factors. Thus, incubators are essential for labs and research facilities that work with various microbes and cultures.
Precautions and Maintenance of Incubators
When using an incubator, it is important to take certain precautions and maintain the unit properly. Some steps you can take include:
- ●Cleaning and sterilizing the Incubator before and after use.
- ●Working with carefully calibrated equipment to ensure accurate temperature and humidity readings.
- ●Avoid overfilling the chamber or placing materials that may interfere with airflow inside it.
- ●The plates should be positioned with the bottom side up, and the lid should open a crack to allow ventilation.
- ●Ensuring that the Incubator is plugged in and that all power and temperature settings are working properly before use.
- ●Follow all instructions on operating the Incubator, including any safety guidelines for use.
To keep your Incubator in good working condition, you should perform regular maintenance tasks such as cleaning and replacing parts when necessary. This will help minimize contamination risks and ensure optimal unit performance over time. Additionally, you should schedule regular service visits with your incubator manufacturer or other professional repair services to ensure that the unit is functioning optimally and any potential issues are detected and addressed as soon as possible.