dilution series experiments

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Education and Communications

How to Do Serial Dilutions

Last Updated: September 30, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Bess Ruff, MA . Bess Ruff is a Geography PhD student at Florida State University. She received her MA in Environmental Science and Management from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2016. She has conducted survey work for marine spatial planning projects in the Caribbean and provided research support as a graduate fellow for the Sustainable Fisheries Group. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 730,378 times.

A dilution in chemistry is a process that reduces the concentration of a substance in a solution. A serial dilution is the repeated dilution of a solution to amplify the dilution factor quickly. [1] X Research source It’s commonly performed in experiments requiring highly diluted solutions , such as those involving concentration curves on a logarithmic scale or when you are determining the density of bacteria. Serial dilutions are used extensively in experimental sciences like biochemistry, microbiology, pharmacology and physics.

Performing a Basic Dilution

Step 1 Determine the proper dilution liquid.

If you’re unsure what liquid to use, ask for help or check online to see if other people have performed a similar dilution.

Step 2 Prepare several test tubes with 9 mL of dilution liquid.

It’s helpful to label all of your tubes before you begin so you don’t get confused once you begin with the dilutions. [3] X Trustworthy Source Science Buddies Expert-sourced database of science projects, explanations, and educational material Go to source
Each tube will be a 10-fold dilution starting from the undiluted tube. [4] X Research source The first tube will be a 1:10 dilution, the second a 1:100, the third a 1:1000, etc. Determine the number of dilutions you need to do beforehand so you don’t waste tubes or diluting liquid.

Step 3 Prepare a test tube with at least 2 mL of your undiluted solution.

Thoroughly mix your solution before starting any dilutions.

Calculating Final Dilution Factor and Concentration

For example, let’s say you did a 1:10 dilution of your liquid 4 times. Plug your dilution factor into the equation: D t = 10 x 10 x 10 x 10 = 10,000
The final dilution factor of the fourth tube in your serial dilution is 1:10,000. The concentration of your substance is now 10,000 times less than the original undiluted solution.

Step 2 Determine the concentration of the solution following dilution.

For example: If you started with a solution of cells with a concentration of 1,000,000 cells per mL and your dilution ratio is 1,000, what is the final concentration of your diluted sample?
C final = C initial /D
C final = 1,000,000/1,000
C final = 1,000 cells per mL.

Community Q&A

↑ https://bio.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Biotechnology/Lab_Manual%3A_Introduction_to_Biotechnology/01%3A_Techniques/1.08%3A_Serial_Dilutions_and_Standard_Curve
↑ https://www.uvm.edu/~btessman/calc/serhelp.html
↑ https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/references/how-to-make-a-dilution
↑ https://biology.kenyon.edu/courses/biol09/tetrahymena/serialdilution2.htm
↑ https://www.microbiologics.com/core/media/media.nl?id=1758034&c=915960&h=fc555e1fdf60b6138d07&_xt=.pdf
↑ https://www.mgel.msstate.edu/pdf/solutions.pdf

About This Article

To do serial dilutions, start by filling several test tubes with 9 milliliters of a dilution liquid, like water. Then, fill a separate test tube with 2 milliliters of your undiluted solution. Next, use a pipette to transfer 1 milliliter of the undiluted solution to one of the test tubes filled with the dilution liquid. Once you've done that, take 1 milliliter of liquid from the test tube you just filled and transfer it to the next test tube. Continue doing this until you've gone through all of the test tubes. To learn how to calculate the final dilution factor and concentration, scroll down! Did this summary help you? Yes No