GasPak System
The GasPak Anaerobic System is used to create an oxygen-free environment for the growth of anaerobic microorganisms. Inoculated plates or tubes are placed inside the chamber, and anaerobic conditions are created by adding water to a gas generator envelope that is placed in the jar just before sealing. The envelope contains two chemical tablets, sodium borohydride and sodium bicarbonate. Water reacts with these chemicals, producing hydrogen gas and carbon dioxide. The hydrogen gas combines with free oxygen in the chamber to produce water, removing all free oxygen from the chamber. This reaction is catalyzed by the element palladium, which is attached to the underside of the lid of the jar. The carbon dioxide replaces the removed oxygen, creating a completely anaerobic environment.