Sabouraud Dextrose Agar is one of several media available for theisolation of yeasts and fungi suitable for use in all areas of mycology. Sabouraud Dextrose Agar is a modification of a medium originally described by Sabouraud. The tryptone and meat peptone provide the nitrogen and vitamins required for organism growth in Sabouraud Dextrose Agar. The high concentration of dextrose is included as an energy source and in tandem with the acidic pH (5.6) facilitates the growth of fungi whilst providing limited selective properties. Higher levels of selectivity can be achieved against bacterial species by the addition of chloramphenicol. NB: This is a basic medium only and contains no additional supplements. Related Supplements : LS0050 Chloramphenicol Selective Supplement

CLED SI Agar Cystine Lactose Electrolyte Deficient Single Indicator (CLED SI) Agar is based on Mackey and Sandy’s formulation and is popular for culturing urine specimens in the clinical laboratory. The reduced number of electrolyte level prevents swarming of Proteus spp. The peptone and beef extract is the source of the required nitrogen, carbon and vitamins. Lactose is a carbohydrate. The inclusion of bromothymol blue as a pH indicator allows easy differentiation of lactose and non-lactose fermenting organisms. L-Cystine is also present to benefit those organisms that have a particular cystine requirement.  

Bevis modified Mackey and Sandy’s original medium by introducing a double indicator to improve the differentiation of lactose and non-lactose fermenting coliforms, staphylococci and streptococci spp. Cystine Lactose Electrolyte Deficient Double Indicator (CLED DI) is popular for urine culture in the clinical laboratory. The reduced number of electrolytes prevents swarming of Proteus spp. The peptone and beef extract is the source of the required nitrogen, carbon and vitamins. Lactose is a carbohydrate. The inclusion of bromothymol blue and Andrade’s as indicators allows easy differentiation of lactose and non-lactose fermenting organisms. L-Cystine is also present to benefit those organisms that have a particular cystine requirement. Streptococcus pyogenes and many other fastidious organisms that do not require the presence of blood can grow on this medium.  

Fastidious Anaerobe Agar is intended as a primary isolation medium capable of supporting most clinically significant anaerobes. The formulation is complex and includes detoxification agents (starch and sodium bicarbonate), growth enhancing agents (L-Cysteine, arginine, vitamin K, sodium succinate, glucose and pyrophosphate), as well as haemin to encourage pigment production in Bacteroides melaninogenicus. The peptone is the source of the required nitrogen, carbon and vitamins. Glucose also acts as a carbon source and sodium pyruvate as an energy source. Sodium chloride maintains the osmotic balance in the medium. Sodium pyrophosphate acts as a buffering agent and sodium succinate improves the growth of organisms such Bacteroides spp. Supplementation of the base medium with blood (5 - 10%) will provide additional growth factors for the more fastidious microorganisms, and aids in determining any haemolytic reactions. Related Supplements : LS0015 Actinomycete Selective Supplement, LS0017 Neomycin Selective Supplement, LS0022 Clostridium difficile Selective Supplement, LS0023 Clostridium perfringens Selective Supplement, BM0140 Egg Yolk Emulsion

This is a selective medium for the isolation of Helicobacter pylori from clinical samples. The medium is based on a modification of Campylobacter CCDA Blood Free Medium with charcoal, ferrous sulphate and sodium pyruvate replacing the horse blood. The medium is made selective by the addition of vancomycin and cefsulodin, to suppress other bacteria, and amphoteracin to inhibit yeasts. Horse serum (10%) is also added to promote optimum growth of Helicobacter spp. Related Supplements : LS0031 Helicobacter pylori Selective Supplement, SHS500 Sterile Horse Serum 500ml

Sorbitol MacConkey agar is a differential medium for the isolation of Escherichia coli 0157:H7 based on the formulation by Rappaport and Henig. It differs from other MacConkey mediums in that lactose has been replaced by sorbitol. As Escherichia coli 0157:H7 does not ferment sorbitol it produces pale translucent colonies whereas most other strains of Escherichia coli are sorbitol positive and produce pink colonies. Although it should be noted that colonies that are sorbitol positive can revert and possibly be mistaken as sorbitol negative. Tryptone and meat peptone provide the required carbon, nitrogen and vitamins. Sorbitol is a fermentable carbohydrate and neutral red is a pH indicator. Bile Salts no.3 and crystal violet are selective agents and together inhibit Gram-positive cocci. Sodium chloride maintains the osmotic balance. If required, the selectivity of the medium may be increased by the addition of cefixime (0.05mg/L) and potassium tellurite (2.5mg/L). Related Supplements : LS0013 Escherichia coli 0157 Selective Supplement

This medium was first introduced by MacConkey in 1905 for the isolation and differentiation of lactose and non-lactose fermenting enteric bacteria containing swarming strains of Proteus spp. MacConkey agar without salt and crystal violet is a differential medium that restricts swarming of Proteus spp. as sodium chloride is omitted from the medium to provide an electrolyte deficient medium. The omission of crystal violet permits the growth of Staphylococcus spp. and Enterococcus spp. The peptone is the nitrogen, carbon and vitamin source in this medium. Lactose is the fermentable carbohydrate. Lactose fermentation causes a local pH drop around the colonies which will react with the pH indicator, neutral red, and hence aids in differentiation. Bile salts act as the selective agent. Related Supplements : LS0189 Cefotaxime Supplement (1mg/L)

Xylose Lysine Deoxycholate (XLD) agar is used for the isolation and detection of Salmonella and Shigella spp. Developed by Taylor, xylose lysine agar base was used for isolating and differentiating Gram-negative enteric bacilli. The addition of sodium thiosulfate, ferric ammonium citrate, and sodium deoxycholate created the more selective medium, XLD agar. This medium was found to be satisfactory for the isolation of Shigella and Providencia spp., as well as proving to be an effective differential media. The yeast extract is the source of the required nitrogen, carbon and vitamins. Lactose, sucrose and xylose are fermentable carbohydrates. Sodium deoxycholate, sodium thiosulphate and ferric ammonium citrate are selective agents. Phenol red acts as a pH indicator. Sodium chloride maintains the osmotic balance. Most enteric bacteria including Salmonella spp., can ferment xylose to produce acid. Shigella spp. are unable to do this and thus the colonies remain red. Once xylose has been completely utilized Salmonella spp. will decarboxylate lysine resulting in a pH increase to alkaline. Salmonella and Shigella spp. are differentiated as Salmonellae spp. are able to metabolise thiosulphate producing hydrogen sulphide resulting in colonies with black centres. Stool specimens or rectal swabs may be plated directly onto XLD agar. Selective enrichment broths, such as Selenite Broth or Tetrathionate Broth, may be used prior to streaking. For specific procedures refer to appropriate references.  

This is a selective medium for the isolation and enumeration of yeasts and moulds in dairy products. It is in according to a typical formulation of The International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO). Yeast extract acts as a source of nitrogen, carbon and vitamins in this medium. Glucose is a fermentable carbohydrate. Although the medium has a low pH it is made more selective by the inclusion of chloramphenicol, an antibiotic selective agent.  

Selenite mannitol broth is a modification of selenite broth and is for the selective enrichment of Salmonellae spp. from clinical, food and environmental specimens. Comparisons have shown that mannitol selenite broth is better than other enrichment broths for the isolation of Salmonellae spp. The peptone acts as a nitrogen, carbon and vitamin source. Mannitol is a fermentable carbohydrate and sodium phosphate is a buffer. The medium is made selective by the addition of sodium biselenite (KM8021). The fermentation of mannitol by Salmonellae spp. is said to correct the alkaline pH swing which can occur during incubation. Following overnight incubation subculture(s) are usually made on to one or more of the many selective enteric solid media.

Tryptone Soya Agar (TSA) is a general-purpose, non-selective medium capable of supporting the growth of most micro-organisms. This medium meets the requirements of the Harmonised USP/EP/JP and is based on the original formulation described by Leavitt et al. in 1955. TSA is commonly referred to as Soybean-Casein Digest Agar. TSA supplemented with lecithin and Tween 80® is widely used in environmental monitoring. With further enrichment using 5-10% sheep or horse blood, most fastidious organisms can be isolated and their haemolytic reactions can be determined in order to aid identification. It should be noted that the haemolytic patterns of isolates may vary with the source of animal blood and the type of basal medium used. The tryptone and soy peptone are the source of the required nitrogen, carbon and vitamins. Sodium chloride maintains the osmotic balance in the medium. Related Supplements : Defibrinated Sheep Blood, Defibrinated Horse Blood

A general purpose and nutritious medium for the non-selective enrichment of non-fastidious and some fastidious organisms. Tryptone and soy peptone are the nitrogen and vitamin source in the medium. Glucose is the carbon energy source that facilitates organism growth and sodium chloride maintains osmotic balance. Di-potassium hydrogen phosphate is a buffering agent to prevent auto-sterilisation due to acid production during the growth of some organisms. Tryptone Soya Broth is also commonly referred to as Soybean-Casein Digest Medium or Tryptic Soya Broth and is abbreviated as TSB. TSB conforms to the Harmonized United States Pharmacopoeia (USP), European Pharmacopoeia (EU), and Japanese Pharmacopoeia (JP).  

Eosin Methylene Blue agar (EMB) is a selective medium primarily for the isolation of coliforms from clinical, food and environmental samples. This is the modified formulation of EMB proposed by Levine with a higher concentration of lactose and the sucrose omitted. The peptone provides the required carbon, nitrogen and vitamins. Lactose is a fermentable carbohydrate and di-potassium phosphate is a buffer. Eosin Y and methylene blue are indicators. Methylene blue is also a selective agent. During strong acidic conditions, the dyes impart a metallic sheen to certain lactose fermenters, such as Escherichia coli.  

Tryptone water is recommended for the detection of Escherichia coli in food and water samples. Tryptone water is an alternative medium to peptone water and is more reliable for the testing of indole production. Tryptone acts as source of carbon, nitrogen and vitamins in this medium and sodium chloride maintains osmotic balance. The medium has a high content of tryptophan that many organisms, particularly coliforms, break down to form indole. After the recommended incubation indole positive organisms will give a distinct colour change when either Kovac’s or Ehrlich’s indole reagent is added.

Mannitol Salt Agar is selective medium for the isolation of pathogenic staphylococci. The medium conforms to the requirements of the Harmonised USP/EP/JP. Chapman showed that adding a high level of sodium chloride to Phenol Red Mannitol Agar allowed for the recovery of pathogenic staphylococci. Pathogenic staphylococci produced yellow colonies whereas non-pathogenic staphylococci produced small red colonies. Pancreatic digest of casein, peptic digest of animal tissue and beef extract provide the required nitrogen, carbon and vitamins. The high level of sodium chloride inhibits most organisms other than staphylococci. Mannitol is a carbohydrate that is fermented by coagulase positive staphylococci. Phenol red is the pH indicator.

Baird Parker agar is a selective medium for the isolation and presumptive identification of coagulase-positive staphylococci. This medium is used extensively for detecting Staphylococcus aureus in foods, dairy products, and other materials. Enzymatic digest of casein, meat extract and yeast extract provide the required carbon, nitrogen and vitamins. The medium is made selective by the inclusion of lithium chloride and the addition of potassium tellurite. Glycine and sodium pyruvate are included as growth enhancers while the pyruvate also acts as a neutraliser of toxic peroxides. Coagulase positive staphylococci are differentiated by the addition of egg yolk tellurite (BM0530) due to their ability to break down the egg yolk. Clear zones around colonies form due to the proteolytic action of lecithinase. A secondary opaque zone, surrounding presumptive positive colonies, may also form due to lipase activity. Potassium tellurite is reduced by staphylococci giving rise to blackening of colonies. NB: Any black colonies (with halo (typical) or without the halo (atypical)) on this medium must be confirmed as Staphylococcus aureus by further tests (e.g. coagulase test or latex agglutination etc.) Related Supplements : BM0530 Egg Yolk Tellurite

Brilliant green agar is for the selective isolation of Salmonella spp., other than S. typhi. Brilliant green agar was first cited by Kristensen et al. in 1925 but was subsequently modified by the Netherlands Institute for Public Health. Brilliant green agar is generally used in conjunction with XLD agar (KM0013) as a secondary plating medium for subculture from selective enrichment media in food and environmental testing. It should be noted that the medium is highly selective and therefore not suited to the isolation of Salmonella spp. from samples where the numbers may be low. Beef extract, peptone and yeast extract provide the required carbon, nitrogen and vitamins. Di-sodium hydrogen phosphate and sodium di-hydrogen phosphate are buffering agents. Lactose and sucrose are fermentable carbohydrates. Phenol red is a pH indicator and turns the medium yellow during lactose and/or sucrose fermentation. Brilliant green inhibits Gram-positive bacteria and Gram-negative bacilli other than Salmonella spp. NB: It is not recommended that this medium be used for the isolation of Salmonella typhi or Shigella spp. Related Supplements : LS0024 Novobiocin Supplement (20mgs/L)

Formulated to ISO 6579, Buffered Peptone Water (BPW) is a pre-enrichment medium designed to help sub-lethally damaged Salmonella spp. recover before introducing them into a selective enrichment medium. Enzymatic digest of casein is the source of the required nitrogen, carbon and vitamins. Sodium chloride maintains the osmotic balance in the medium. Di-sodium hydrogen phosphate and potassium di-hydrogen phosphate act as buffers in the medium. This nutritious medium is free from inhibitors and is well buffered to maintain pH 7.0 for the incubation period. Sub-lethal injury to Salmonella spp. occurs in many food processes and this pre-enrichment step greatly increases the chance of their recovery, especially if a low number of cells are present in a sample.  

Formulated to ISO 6887-1, Maximum Recovery Diluent (MRD) is a diluent designed to maintain organisms by protecting the cells from unnecessary physiological shock that may occur using other aqueous solutions. MRD is used extensively in food and environmental testing. The low level of peptone provides a protective effect but does not allow for multiplication during the short residence time in the diluent, 45 minutes. The sodium chloride prevents osmotic shock as the sample is initially diluted.  

Rappaport-Vassiliadis Soya Broth is used for the enrichment and selective isolation of Salmonella spp. This medium is a modification of the original formulation by Rappaport et al. and has been formulated to exploit the full characteristics of Salmonella spp. These characteristics include the ability to survive at relatively high osmotic pressure, to multiply at low pH values and greater resistance to malachite green. This formulation also has the correct amount of magnesium chloride as previous formulations did not take into account the volume of displacement caused by dissolving large amounts of magnesium chloride in water. This formulation has been shown to be superior to tetrathionate broth and selenite broth for the isolation of Salmonella spp. from meat products. Soya peptone provides the required carbon, nitrogen and vitamins. Potassium dihydrogen phosphate and di-potassium hydrogen phosphate act as buffers. Magnesium chloride raises the osmotic pressure in the medium. Malachite green is an inhibitory substance. NB: This formulation is very hygroscopic and will produce a slight exothermic reaction when mixed with water.  

Malt extract agar is used for the detection, isolation and enumeration yeasts and moulds. The high carbohydrate content of the medium ensures rapid growth of yeasts and moulds. Malt extract and mycological peptone provide the carbon, protein and nutrient sources required by the organisms. The acidic nature of this medium allows for optimal growth of moulds and yeasts while restricting bacterial growth. Malt extract agar can also be used for the cultivation of fungi, although with the prolonged incubation necessary, cultures may become overgrown by bacteria. The selectivity of the medium can be increased by lowering the pH to 3.5-4.0 or by the addition of selective agents such as chloramphenicol. Related Supplements : LS0050 Chloramphenicol Selective Supplement

This is a selective medium for the isolation of Salmonella spp. and Shigella spp. from clinical specimens and environmental samples. This formulation was developed by Hynes through a modification of Leifson’s DCA medium. The peptone provides the required carbon, nitrogen and vitamins. Lactose is a fermentable carbohydrate and neutral red is a pH indicator. Sodium thiosulphate and ferric citrate are used to detect hydrogen sulphide production indicated by the black centred colonies of hydrogen sulphite positive organisms. Sodium desoxycholate and sodium citrate inhibit most Gram-positive organisms.

Mycological agar is a selective medium for the isolation of pathogenic fungi, particularly dermatophytes, from clinical specimens. Enzymatic digest of soybean meal provides the required carbon, nitrogen and vitamins. Glucose is an energy source for the metabolism of fungi. The addition of chloramphenicol further reduces the risk of bacterial contamination when processing material that may be heavily contaminated with coliforms. Cycloheximide should also be added (0.4g/L) to suppress the growth of commensal yeasts and saprophytic fungi.  

Campylobacter Blood-Free Selective Medium (CCDA) is one of several media formulations available for the selective isolation of Campylobacter spp., primarily C. jejuni and C. coli. CCDA was described by Bolton et al. and formulated to replace blood with a combination of charcoal, ferrous sulphate, and sodium pyruvate. CCDA is recommended for food testing. CCDA with the addition of yeast extract and cefoperazone is used in the isolation of Campylobacter spp. from foodstuffs and swabs in the FDA/BAM method. This product complies with the requirements of ISO 10272-1:2006. Bolton et al. recommended incubating inoculated plates at 37°C to improve isolation rates but incubation at 41.5°C is recommended for the isolation of the commonly encountered thermophilic species (C. jejuni and C. coli). The meat peptone, beef extract and tryptone provide the required nitrogen, carbon and vitamins. Bacteriological charcoal absorbs toxic compounds and metabolites. Ferrous sulphate and sodium pyruvate are oxygen scavengers. Sodium desoxycholate is a selective agent. Through the addition of campylobacter (Preston) supplement (LS0010), which consists of cefoperazone and amphotericin B, enteric flora is suppressed. Related Supplements : LS0010 Campylobacter (Preston) Selective Supplement

Cetrimide agar is a selective medium for the isolation and detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from pharmaceutical, clinical and cosmetic samples. The formulation is complaint with the requirements of the Harmonised USP/EP/JP. Detection is achieved using the unique ability of P. aeruginosa to produce the water soluble, bright green pigment pyocyanin. The production of this pigment is stimulated by the presence of magnesium chloride and di-potassium sulphate in the medium. The addition of glycerol (10ml/l) is required as this compound serves as an energy source. Cetrimide, a quaternary ammonium compound, is also present to suppress the growth of other Pseudomonas spp. as well as Gram-negative and Gram-positive organisms. Pancreatic digest of gelatin provides the required nitrogen, carbon and vitamins. Related Supplements :

Plate Count Agar is formulated to the A.P.H.A. specification developed by Buchbinder et al. This medium is intended for use in food, dairy and water bacteriology to perform Total Viable Counts. Tryptone and yeast extract provide the required carbon, nitrogen and vitamins. Glucose is a fermentable carbohydrate.  

Violet Red Bile Agar is a medium for the enumeration of coliform organisms in food and dairy products and conforms to American Public Health Association (APHA). Yeast extract and enzymatic digest of gelatin provides the required carbon, nitrogen and vitamins. Sodium chloride maintains the osmotic balance. The medium is made selective by the inclusion of bile salts and crystal violet to inhibit Gram-positive and non-enteric organisms. Lactose is a fermentable carbohydrate and neutral red is a pH indicator. Lactose fermenters produce red/purple colonies often surrounded by a halo of the same colour. Non lactose fermenters produce pale colonies. Selectivity can be increased by incubation at 42-44ºC.  

DNase agar is used primarily in clinical laboratories to differentiate pathogenic Staphylococcus aureus from other staphylococci based on deoxyribonuclease (DNase) activity. The tryptone provides the required carbon, nitrogen and vitamins. Sodium chloride maintains the osmotic balance. The addition of DNA to the base medium provides a simple method to check for DNase activity. The methyl green fades into a colourless compound if the DNA in the medium is depolymerised. Organisms that can produce sufficient quantity of a DNase enzyme will hydrolyse the DNA resulting in a clear area around the colonies. Whereas DNase negative organisms will not produce clearing. NB: As with most tests of this type a positive result should not be taken in isolation and other appropriate tests, e.g. coagulase test, latex agglutination etc., should be carried out.  

Violet Red Bile Glucose Agar (VRBGA) is a selective medium for the isolation and enumeration of Enterobacteriaceae in food products. It is a modification of the original Violet Red Bile Agar with the lactose being replaced with glucose. As all Enterobacteriaceae ferment glucose VRBGA allows for a wider range of organisms to be detected. This medium conforms to the requirements of the Harmonised USP/EP/JP. Yeast extract and pancreatic digest of gelatin provide the required carbon, nitrogen and vitamins. Glucose is a fermentable carbohydrate and neutral red is a pH indicator. Sodium chloride maintains the osmotic balance. The medium is made selective by the inclusion of bile salts and crystal violet to inhibit Gram-positive and non-enteric organisms.

Developed by Leifson, selenite F broth is a medium for the selective enrichment of Salmonella spp. from both clinical and food samples. The peptone acts as a nitrogen, carbon and vitamin source. Lactose is a fermentable carbohydrate and sodium phosphate is a buffer. The medium is made selective by the addition of sodium biselenite (KM8021). Following overnight incubation subculture(s) are usually made on to one or more of the many selective enteric solid media.