Anaerobic incubators are used to provide an oxygen-free atmosphere for growing anaerobic bacteria and conducting experiments. They work by circulating hydrogen gas through a heated palladium catalyst, which removes oxygen through a chemical reaction to form water, maintaining very low oxygen levels between 0-5 ppm. Compared to aerobic processes, anaerobic fermentations are more cost effective as they do not require high aeration, agitation, and cooling. Key components of anaerobic incubators include hydrogen gas, a palladium catalyst, a catalyst fan box, temperature controls, and an airlock. They have applications in clinical and research laboratories, tissue culture, industrial microbiology, quality control testing, biodegradation studies,

1. Anaerobic Incubator
Dr Sumitha J
Associate Professor
Department of Microbiology
JBAS College for Women,Chennai-18

2. Anaerobic Incubator
Aerobic bacteria refers to the group of microorganisms that grow
in the presence of oxygen and Anaerobic bacteria refers to the
group of microorganisms that grow in the absence of oxygen.
Anaerobic chambers are used to provide an oxygen-free
atmosphere to work with oxygen-sensitive materials.For
instance A hydrogen (H2) gas mixture is circulated through a
heated palladium catalyst to remove oxygen (O2) by forming
water (H2O).The anaerobic atmosphere of 0–5 ppm of Oxygen is
maintained by a hydrogen gas mix reacting with a palladium
catalyst to remove excess oxygen.
Anaerobic fermentations are cost-e
ff
ective unlike aerobic
processes associated with the need to sustain high rates of
culture aeration, agitation and cooling

4. Key Components
the gas
catalyst
catalyst fan box
temperature control accessories
airlock.

5. Applications
Clinical Laboratories
Anaerobic Research assays
Research Laboratories
Tissue culture
Industrial Microbiology
QC applications
Biodegradation experiments
Sludge or Sewage treatment