Identifying the hot spots in your kitchen
Objective
Our first experiment in the Experimental Kitchen was to identify the spread of germs in the kitchen so that we could locate the hot spots.
What are your hot spots?
Hot spots are areas where a high level of microbial contamination is present. In the current context of kitchen hygiene we refer to hot spots as surface areas, and contamination is expressed as a number (or range) of bacteria on a given surface area. Depending on the number of micro-organisms present, hot spots can be classified as:
Hot spots are a source of contamination for surrounding areas. Normal activities can easily result in spreading of the microbes from "hot spots" to other areas around the home. Hands and foods are major vectors of the spread of microbial contamination in our homes.
Hot spots are a source of contamination for surrounding areas. Normal activities can easily result in spreading of the microbes from "hot spots" to other areas around the home. Hands and foods are major vectors of the spread of microbial contamination in our homes.
The experiment
Pictured at the left are some of the hot spots revealed by the fluorescent bead study. The cutting board and dish are fluorescent under ultra violet light.
The results
Warm
Warm
Warm
Warm
Warm
Warm
Warm
Warm
Warm
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Warm
Warm
Serratia marscesens 
and Escherichia coli are two gram-negative, facultative anaerobic rod-shaped bacteria that belong to the Enterobacteriaceae Family.
Serratia is commonly found in soil and water as well as on plants and animals. Thanks to its red pigmentation it is frequently used in experiments to track microbial contamination.
E. coli is a member of the normal microflora of the mammalian intestine and as such it is widespread in the environment, especially around animals and people.
and Escherichia coli are two gram-negative, facultative anaerobic rod-shaped bacteria that belong to the Enterobacteriaceae Family.Serratia is commonly found in soil and water as well as on plants and animals. Thanks to its red pigmentation it is frequently used in experiments to track microbial contamination.
E. coli is a member of the normal microflora
of the mammalian intestine and as such it is widespread in the environment, especially around animals and people.