Also known as a "capsule", the Petri dish is one of the most iconic and versatile tools used in the scientific field. It is a shallow, circular container, generally made of glass or transparent plastic (polystyrene), designed to cultivate microorganisms or cells under controlled conditions. Its name derives from its inventor, the German bacteriologist Julius Richard Petri, who designed it in 1887 while working with Robert Koch, one of the fathers of modern microbiology.

Structurally, the Petri dish consists of two main parts:

• The bottom, which holds the culture medium (generally an agar gel or another nutrient substrate);

• The lid, which covers the bottom to protect the content from external contamination, while still allowing limited air exchange depending on the design. In fact, there are dishes with or without ventilation.

Some models have specific sections, such as Petri dishes with 2, 3, or 4 compartments, allowing multiple experiments to be conducted on the same surface, or Contact Plates, designed to detect the presence of microorganisms on surfaces.

So, what is the Petri dish used for? Thanks to its ability to create a controlled environment for the growth and study of cells and microorganisms, it is used in various contexts. Its main application is in microbiology, where it is used to grow bacterial colonies, fungi, or yeasts, allowing scientists to isolate and identify specific organisms, study their behavior, or test antibiotic resistance.

Contact Plates are used to monitor surface cleanliness in healthcare, industrial, and food environments. They can detect microbiological contamination quickly and effectively.

Another application is the antibiogram, often performed on 120x120 mm squared Petri dishes. This test allows scientists to evaluate which antibiotics are effective against a particular microorganism. This is crucial in combating bacterial infections.

From biotechnology research to ecology and genetics experiments, Petri dishes find applications in many different fields, proving to be not only useful but fundamental in making new discoveries.

Petri dishes are available in different materials, including glass and plastic. In particular, in our catalog, you can find a wide range of options, plastic Petri dishes made of durable and ultra-transparent polystyrene, ideal for various laboratory settings.

Polystyrene, a special type of raw material, is the most common material for disposable plates and is the ideal choice for preventing cross-contamination. Its transparency ensures a clear observation of microbial growth, and the low cost makes plastic plates the most cost-effective option for laboratories with a high turnover of experiments.
Alternatively, one can opt for glass, which has the advantage of being reusable but comes with a much higher cost and a greater risk of breaking during use or cleaning.

In addition to materials, Petri dishes are distinguished by some structural and functional characteristics that determine their suitability for specific applications. First of all, the sizes, which can vary depending on the use: on monolabshop.com, we offer Petri dishes in various sizes, from the smallest 35mm to the largest 150mm, available in notched and non-notched versions.

Additionally, we have 120x120 mm square plates with triple ventilation for antibiograms and configurations such as ventilated and non-ventilated Petri dishes, essential for maintaining different atmospheric conditions.

As mentioned, Petri dishes are essential tools in many scientific and medical fields. Thanks to their versatility, they are used in various applications that require a sterile and controlled environment, as well as extreme precision and clarity.

Let's analyze the main fields of application of Petri dishes, discovering more closely the great versatility of this tool.

Petri dish in the operating theatre

First of all, the Petri dish is widely used to ensure safety and control of sterility conditions.

In this context, it is used for two main purposes. The first is the microbiological analysis of the environment: it allows monitoring of the presence of pathogens in the air, on surgical instruments, or on operating surfaces.
The second is the sterility test: Petri dishes in the operating room are also used to verify the effectiveness of sterilization protocols before, during, and after surgical procedures. A fundamental task, considering the importance of having a perfectly sterile environment in the operating room.

In fact, thanks to these applications, Petri dishes help reduce the risk of post-operative infections and ensure the maintenance of high hygiene standards.

Petri dish for bacterial cultures

One of the most common uses of Petri dishes is related to bacterial cultures, especially in microbiology and research.
These tools are used for the growth and isolation of bacteria, as they provide adequate support for their development on specific culture media, such as agar.
Furthermore, they facilitate the analysis of bacterial resistance through antibiograms, which allow evaluating the effectiveness of different drugs, and help identify bacteria present in biological samples, such as blood, saliva, or urine, contributing to accurate diagnoses.

Petri dish for cell and tissue studies

Since it is an essential tool for cell culture, Petri dishes are also crucial in cancer research and genetic diseases, in the testing of new drugs, and in studies on tissue regeneration and regenerative medicine.

Petri dish in the food industry

In the food industry, Petri dishes are used to ensure the safety and quality of food products.
Here, they are used to analyze bacterial contamination in food products, to test shelf life and resistance to pathogens, and finally, to monitor production processes, ensuring high hygiene standards. Again, this is a crucial aspect that cannot be overlooked.

Petri dishes for school and educational experiments

Petri dishes also play a fundamental role in education. Specifically, they are used to conduct basic microbiological experiments, such as cultivating molds or bacteria taken from everyday surfaces, or even for performing practical demonstrations on the principles of microbial growth and sterilization. These uses help introduce students—or just enthusiasts—to the complex world of biological sciences.

The Petri dishes offered by monolabshop.com represent a high-quality choice for professionals and laboratories in need of reliable and versatile tools.
Each dish in our range is designed and manufactured according to strict quality standards. The materials used ensure resistance, transparency, and sterility, making them ideal for scientific, medical, and food-related applications. Moreover, the products are CE certified, ISO 9001, ISO 13485:2021, Sterilization Process Validation Certificate issued by an external body authorized by the Ministry of Health, 100% Made in Italy Certification, and last but not least, the Halal Certification to comply with the most demanding industry standards, ensuring top-quality products with safe and reliable performance.

We also offer a wide selection of Petri dishes to meet the needs of every application. Our disposable ultra-optical polystyrene Petri dishes are available in two versions:

• With triple ventilation, to prevent condensation formation.

• Without ventilation, to avoid agar drying out during incubation.

Our microbiology products feature perfect flatness, consistent thickness, and are stackable. Upon request, they are also available with an inner bag to facilitate handling in cleanroom filling operations.

Cost-effectiveness is another key aspect: for laboratories or culture media filling factories, Bayer, and businesses requiring bulk materials, monolabshop.com offers competitive and even customized solutions, ensuring fast and precise deliveries according to agreed timelines.

We also stand out for our innovative designs, such as square Petri dishes, ideal for more complex experiments or workspace optimization. Attention to detail makes each product practical and intuitive to use.

Choosing monolabshop.com means investing in reliability, precision, and affordability. With a comprehensive catalog and a constant commitment to excellence, monolabshop.com is the ideal partner for professionals and laboratories looking for safe, high-performance, and reliable tools for every procedure.

Discover today the complete range of Petri dishes from monolabshop.com to make your work even more efficient and functional.

The price of a Petri dish varies based on numerous factors: the most important is the price of the raw material on the stock market, material (crystal polystyrene - brand), the degree of resistance and purity of it, its specific characteristics: each batch of raw material determines the quality of the final product (this is why we at monolabshop.com use only the best choice of ultra-transparent crystal polystyrene), and the purchase methods that can vary depending on the use.

In general, plastic dishes (polystyrene), ideal for single-use applications, are the most versatile and economical. While on the contrary, reusable glass dishes have a much higher initial cost and a high sensitivity to shocks (they are much more fragile).

Larger dishes or those with special designs (multi-sector, square, or ventilated) may slightly vary in cost but always at the most convenient price for the customer and with the highest quality.

A difference in costs can also derive from the purchase methods: bulk or wholesale allow you to obtain significant discounts, especially for large laboratory chains, Bayer, companies operating in the Food sector, or filling factories with culture media that require large quantities in bulk of dishes. Individual packages, useful instead for limited applications, have a slightly different cost for the single unit.

With us, you can also get a custom discount: if you are thinking of placing a larger order, first contact us and we will find the most convenient solution for you. If you are thinking of placing a larger order, contact us to get a custom discount.

As for the lifespan of a Petri dish, it also depends on the material and the intended use. The actual duration depends on the raw material, maintenance, and the absence of physical damage, cracks, exposure to heat - UVA and UVB rays, humidity, or other types of weather. On the contrary, plastic dishes are designed for single-use, especially in microbiological applications, to ensure asepticity, sterility to prevent cross-contamination. They can be stored for months, or even years, if kept in the original sterile or aseptic packaging and in a clean and controlled environment, with suitable temperature and humidity.

There is, therefore, no option that is more valid than the other, but simply the choice that is most suitable based on one’s work needs and the use to which the capsules are intended. The frequency of use, the level of sterility and asepticity required.

And choosing the right product is even simpler, relying on www.monolabshop.com and its certified products: browse our site to find the Petri dish that meets every need, ensuring a perfect balance between our high offer: such as transparency, constant weight, perfect flatness, durability, and optimal performance in the field. Don’t forget to get in touch with us if you are considering our options for a large order: we will create a custom discount for you, additional information if requested, certificates, technical data sheets, even customized packaging, all really convenient. For any request or need, contact us and we will find the best solution for you and your needs.