How do Anaerobic Systems work?
Anaerobic systems remove oxygen and hold a reduced environment. Sealed jars and flexible bags use a gas-generating sachet that reacts with water to consume oxygen and release carbon dioxide and hydrogen, while a palladium catalyst combines residual hydrogen with oxygen to form water. Larger chambers repeatedly flush the working volume with a nitrogen, hydrogen and carbon dioxide mixture and circulate the atmosphere through the catalyst to keep oxygen below a few parts per million. Methylene blue or resazurin indicators confirm anaerobiosis by color change, and an anaerobic incubator maintains both the atmosphere and a precise temperature. Airlocks let plates and samples enter without introducing air, and gloves or sleeves allow manipulation inside the chamber.
Which Anaerobic Systems variants are available?
- Anaerobic Jar — An anaerobic jar is a sealed container that holds plates under a reduced atmosphere generated by a gas sachet and a catalyst.
- Anaerobic Culture Bag System — An anaerobic culture bag system uses a sealed flexible pouch and a gas-generating sachet to create anaerobiosis around one or a few plates.
- Anaerobic Incubator — An anaerobic incubator is a temperature-controlled cabinet that maintains a reduced atmosphere, allowing many plates to be incubated anaerobically without individual jars or sachets.
- Anaerobic Workstation — An anaerobic workstation is a sealed chamber with gloves and an airlock that lets operators plate, subculture and inspect samples under a continuously anaerobic atmosphere.
- Anaerobic Glove Box — An anaerobic glove box is a fully sealed, large-volume chamber with long gloves and staged airlocks that provides near-zero oxygen for extended work with strict anaerobes.
How do I choose the right variant?
Choose by the number of samples, the duration of work and how much manipulation is needed. Anaerobic jars and bag systems suit occasional plates and small batches at low cost, with jars supporting stacked plates and bags giving a single-use option. Anaerobic incubators handle routine plate volumes with temperature control but little access during incubation. Workstations and glove boxes allow continuous plating, subculture and identification under a controlled atmosphere, which is essential for clinical anaerobe work and for slow-growing organisms. Confirm the oxygen level achieved and how it is monitored, the catalyst and indicator system, temperature range and uniformity, airlock and port capacity, gas consumption, and whether an internal incubator is included. For regulated laboratories, ask for validation and calibration documentation.
Where are Anaerobic Systems used?
Anaerobic Systems are specified in clinical microbiology of anaerobic infections, food microbiology and spoilage testing, environmental and water analysis, pharmaceutical sterility testing, gut microbiota research and veterinary diagnostics.
Which standards and certifications apply?
Work with Anaerobic Systems is commonly governed by ISO 15213, ISO 7937, ISO 11133, CLSI M11 and IEC 61010-1. Instrument certifications such as CE marking are confirmed per configuration and never assumed.
What are the key considerations before purchase?
Place gas-generating jars and bags in an incubator at the required temperature and record the start time, because anaerobiosis develops over one to two hours. Check catalyst activity regularly, since saturated palladium stops working and must be regenerated by heating. Replace indicators each run and keep a log. For chambers and workstations, verify oxygen readings with an independent analyzer, monitor gas supply and pressure, replace gloves when they leak and schedule catalyst and filter service. Avoid introducing large volumes of air through the airlock too quickly. Include anaerobic systems in routine equipment qualification and follow IEC 61010-1 for electrical safety.
