When performing quality control for food, drink, cosmetic or hygiene products, samples are tested for the presence of anaerobic bacteria, the cause of many infectious diseases and food poisoning. Such samples are incubated in containers under anaerobic atmospheric conditions. Specific, expensive compounds are normally required to replace the oxygen containing air with dry nitrogen.

The new Biotool Swiss PetriSphere™ system consists of a microprocessor-based controller, a diaphragm vacuum pump and a gas reservoir connection which enables the air to be replaced by nitrogen or carbon dioxide gas.