Anaerobes are organisms that can grow without oxygen. Some can live when oxygen is present (facultative) and some cannot tolerate even a trace of oxygen (strict or obligatory). Anaerobes are very prevalent, many are part of the normal human flora, and make up an estimated 50% of Earth’s biota. Dozens of common infections are either exclusively anaerobic or are mixed aerobic/anaerobes. Some obligatory anaerobes may cause serious infections such as tetanus, gas gangrene, or botulism (through tainted food products). Therefore, isolation and identification of anaerobes are very important in clinical diagnoses and research, and in commercial processes such as canning, bottling (e.g. beer and other fermented beverages), and food fermentation.

BACTRON anaerobic chambers have made a strong name for themselves over the past twenty years as more and more labs have realized the cost savings in moving from vacuum jars or bags to anaerobic workstations. BACTRON anaerobic and environment chambers provide glove-free handling of samples with a consistent, oxygen-free environment that promotes faster sample turnaround. Modular equipment within the chamber facilitates the completion of basic workflow procedures from unpacking of materials to inoculation, incubation, inspection, and recovery.