For in vitro diagnostic use. BM0540 Nutrient Agar is a basic general-purpose medium suitable for use in the cultivation and subculture of the less fastidious organisms. Nutrient agar was first described by the American Public Health Association (APHA) in 1917. It is used to check the purity of subcultures from isolation plates prior to biochemical or serological tests. It is particularly useful for the cultivation of the less fastidious organisms, particularly those that do not require the addition of blood or other enrichment. It is one of the most important and commonly used non-selective media for the routine cultivation of microorganisms. Nutrient Agar slopes can be used to maintain organisms as it allows prolonged survival of cultures at ambient temperature without the risk of overgrowth that might occur with more nutritious mediums.