I just totally geeked myself out… LOL! ![]()
I went a hunting for the items I’d need to do this.
There are only three drawbacks I can see. One is putting together a temperature controlled incubator for the growth media, not a real problem, just a pain in the ass. It would cost me under $20 to build one and I can go to Lowe’s to get what I’d need. Basically all I need is a low watt bulb, a socket, a thermometer, and a thermostat coil, and a box to mount it all in.
Second is putting together an apparatus to evaporate off the ethanol under vacuum and concentrate the cops. Again, not a major problem, just a total pain in the ass. I wouldn’t even need to worry about removing all the ethanol except for those pesky little liquor laws… not an issue for my own use, though. Total cost for this would be around $100 or less, but it might take some time to design something if I can’t find the right kind of glass containers, connectors, and equipment. Alternatively, I could use lab grade denatured ethanol and not worry about evaporating all of it off. That would make it much easier, and the evaporation process far simpler.
The third is finding a supplier for BHT to retard oxidation once the cops are resuspended in something other than ethanol. BHT might be the real problem… something to retard oxidation, I think is a must for fatty acids if they are going to be stored for any length of time. Well, hell… I just found a supplier that will provide 125 grams for $28.00. And I’d need to use only a very, very tiny amount of this.
So the only other things I’m missing are some larger capped tubes for the growth media; an alcohol burner (for updraft), some flasks, some sealing film, a couple of sterile swabs, some saline, and some sterile glass pipettes. All these things are cheap and easy to come by. Probably less than $50 total.
Oh, I’d also need a pickle jar with lid, a couple of tea light candles, and some lactose-agar plates to help isolate the right flora. And I’ll need to choose the right growth media.
But, wow! This could be done so cheaply. ![]()
Well, maybe not so cheaply. I’d need to invest in a centrifuge and centrifuge tubes. This could run up to $8,000, but I just found several really nice, even new ones on ebay for less than $200.
And you know, there is absolutely nothing toxic in any of this, except maybe for the stuff they use to denature ethanol.
Diane