Abstract: An anaerobic liquid storage and transport apparatus including a liquid receiver means for receiving and holding an anaerobic liquid, a gas generator container means having a self-contained gas generator for generating at least a reducing gas, conduit means for supplying gas from the gas generator into the liquid receiver means, conduit means for removing gas from the liquid receiver means, and a catalyst which promotes reaction between the reducing gas, when produced by the gas generator, and oxygen in, from and/or around the apparatus.

Abstract: A package for storing, incubating or transporting an anaerobic culture comprising a bag of flexible sheet material of low gas permeability, a self-contained gas generating apparatus in the bag for generating at least a reducing gas, a culture retaining container in the bag, and a catalyst in the bag which promotes reaction between the reducing gas, when produced by the gas generating apparatus, and oxygen in the bag. The bag may also contain a color indicator apparatus which when activated indicates the presence or absence of oxygen in the bag by color change. Hydrogen is the preferred reducing gas which is generated, alone or in conjunction with carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A color indicator apparatus for determining the presence of oxygen which comprises a container which permits flow of gas thereto, an ampoule in the container, said ampoule containing a redox color indicator liquid, and an absorbent material, for the liquid in the ampoule, in the container. Typically the redox color indicator is methylene blue or resazurin. The apparatus is useful for determining if an anaerobic atmosphere exists around a micro-organism culture.

Abstract: A culture collecting and transporting apparatus comprising a closable container having a collected culture receiving depot therein, means in the container for supplying a culture medium to a culture placed on the depot, and chemical means in the container selectively activated after a culture is placed on the depot, said chemical means when activated supplying gaseous carbon dioxide, and a reducing agent system effective for reducing oxygen, at least in the container space surrounding the collected culture. The reducing agent system may comprise a reducing gas and a catalyst for inducing reaction of the oxygen with the reducing gas. The reducing gas may be hydrogen.

Abstract: A gas generating apparatus, for use in microorganism maintenance during sample transport, storage or incubation, comprising a container having an opening, a gas generating solid material in the container, an ampoule containing a liquid which is reactive with the solid material to produce a gas, said ampoule being openable from outside the container to free the liquid to contact the solid material, and means in the container which prevents liquid from flowing from the container after the ampoule is opened but which permits flow of gas generated in the container out of the container opening. A solid desiccant material may be put in the container to absorb water which may enter the container before the ampoule is opened, thereby preventing degradation or premature reaction of the gas generating solid material.A reducing gas, such as hydrogen, is generated alone or with carbon dioxide. The hydrogen catalytically combines with oxygen to form an anaerobic atmosphere.