Thepreparationofasmearisrequiredformanylaboratoryprocedures,includingtheGram-stain.Thepurposeofmakingasmearistofixthebacteriaontotheslideandtopreventthesamplefrombeinglostduringastainingprocedure.Asmearcanbepreparedfromasolidorbrothmedium.BelowaresomeguidelinesforpreparingasmearforaGram-stain.SMEARPREPARATION
2.Ifworkingfromasolidmedium,addonedrop(andonlyonedrop)ofwatertoyourspecimenwithawaterbottle.Ifusingabrothmedium,donotaddthewater.
3.Now,withyourinoculatingloop,mixthespecimenwiththewatercompletelyandspreadthemixtureouttocoverabouthalfofthetotalslidearea.
4.Placetheslideonaslidewarmerandwaitforittodry.Thesmearisnowreadyforthestainingprocedure.