1.1 This qualitative test method is appropriate for materials in a variety of shapes.
This test method would be appropriate in situations in which the amount of material
is limited. For example, small devices could be placed on the agar and the presence
of a zone of inhibition of cell growth could be examined, if the chemicals from the
test sample can diffuse through the agar layer.
1.1.1 This test method is not appropriate for chemicals that do not diffuse through agar
or agarose, or chemicals that interact with the agar or agarose layer.
1.1.2 While the agar layer can act as a cushion to protect the cells from the specimen,
there may be materials that are sufficiently heavy to compress the agar and prevent
diffusion or to cause mechanical damage to the cells. This test method would not be
appropriate for these materials.