An inoculation loop, also called a smear loop, inoculation wand or microstreaker, is a simple tool used mainly by microbiologists to retrieve an inoculum from a culture of microorganisms. Its tip is a wire made of platinum or nichrome, the latter being inferior but less expensive. The wire forms a small loop with a diameter of about 5 mm. This loop is handy for taking an inoculum from a liquid by using the phenomenon of surface tension.

The loop is used to cultivate microbes in Agar jelly and to use the streak manouvre to transfer microbes.

The inoculation loop is always sterilized in a flame until it becomes red hot before and after each use. By doing this, the same tool can be reused in different experiments without fear of cross-contamination. After flame sterilization, the loop must be cooled so that the next cells to touch the loop don't instantly die.

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