Dehydrated Culture Media

  • A selective medium for the enrichment of Enterobacteriaceae and the detection of Escherichia coli in pharmaceutical products. The inclusion of bromocresol purple indicator makes the colour change caused by acid production from the fermentation of lactose easy to read with gas formation. The presence of ox bile helps to suppress the growth of Gram-positive and non-enteric bacterial species. This formulation complies with the Harmonized USP/EP/JP. Nitrogen is supplied by the gelatin peptone whilst lactose serves as the fermentable carbohydrate source. Oxbile is the selective agent helping to suppress Gram-positive organisms and bromocresol purple detects the pH change as a result of the fermentation of lactose.
  • KM8005

    Malt Extract

    Malt extract is sourced from hydrolyzed vegetal protein. Due to the high concentration of carbohydrate malt extract is particularly suited for the cultivation of yeasts and moulds especially in contaminated dairy products. In microbiological culture media it provides a source of nutrients, protein, and carbon.  
  • 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
  • Malt extract broth is used for the cultivation of yeasts and moulds and is commonly used as part of sterility testing protocols. 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.  
  • 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.
  • KM0062

    Marine Agar

    Marine agar is a medium used to support the growth of numerous marine bacteria. Originally formulation by ZoBell (1), its high saline levels are to simulate a close approximation of seawater which allows the marine bacteria to grow (2). The sodium chloride and marine minerals provide the high salinity needed for marine bacteria to thrive and aims to simulate sea water. The peptones provide the necessary nitrogen, amino acids and vitamins for growth. Agar is the solidifying agent. References (1) ZoBell, C.E. 1941. Studies on Marine Bacteria. I. The cultural requirements of heterotrophic aerobes. J. Mar. Res. 4, 42-75. (2) Lyman, J. and Fleming, R. H. 1940. Composition of Seawater. J. Mar. Res. 3, 134-146
  • 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.  
  • KM8004

    Meat Peptone

    Meat peptone is sourced from hydrolyzed proteins of animal tissue. This peptone consists of soluble amino acids and peptides that provide readily available nitrogen and other essential growth factors. It is primarily used for the cultivation of fastidious and non-fastidious microorganisms in microbiological culture media.  
  • Membrane Lauryl Sulphate Agar is used for the enumeration of Escherichia coli and other coliforms found in filter membranes used in water sample testing. The broth base, originally named Membrane Enriched Teepol broth,(1) was updated when Teepol 610 was removed from the formulation and replaced by sodium lauryl sulphate.(2&3) The peptones, yeast extract and lactose act as carbon, nitrogen and vitamin sources in this medium. The phenol red is added as a pH indicator to detect the fermentation of lactose to differentiate the coliforms. Sodium lauryl sulphate is an inhibitory agent. References (1) Burman, N. P., 1967. Development of membrane filter techniques. II. Adaptation to routine and special requirements. Proc. Soc. Wat. Treat. Exam., 16:40 (2) Joint Committee of PHLS and the Standing Committee of Analysis. 1980. J. Hyg. Camb., 85:181 (3) Stanfield, G. and Irving, T. E., 1981. A suitable replacement for Teepol 610 in the selective isolation of coliforms from marine waters and sewage. Water Research. 15:469-474
  • Membrane Lauryl Sulphate Broth is used for the enumeration of Escherichia coli and other coliforms found in filter membranes used in water sample testing. Originally named Membrane Enriched Teepol broth,(1) this recipe was updated when Teepol 610 was removed from the formulation and replaced by sodium lauryl sulphate.(2&3) The peptones, yeast extract and lactose act as carbon, nitrogen and vitamin sources in this medium. The phenol red is added as a pH indicator to detect the fermentation of lactose to differentiate the coliforms. Sodium lauryl sulphate is an inhibitory agent. References (1) Burman, N. P., 1967. Development of membrane filter techniques. II. Adaptation to routine and special requirements. Proc. Soc. Wat. Treat. Exam., 16:40 (2) Joint Committee of PHLS and the Standing Committee of Analysis. 1980. J. Hyg. Camb., 85:181 (3) Stanfield, G. and Irving, T. E., 1981. A suitable replacement for Teepol 610 in the selective isolation of coliforms from marine waters and sewage. Water Research. 15:469-47
  • Mueller Hinton agar is used for antimicrobial susceptibility testing by the disk diffusion method as described by Bauer-Kirby. It has been approved as the definitive medium for this purpose by the European Committee on Anitmicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST). This formulation conforms to Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI). Beef extract and acid hydrolysate of casein provides the required nitrogen, carbon and vitamins in the medium. Starch absorbs any toxic metabolites produced. The medium contains low levels of thymidine and thymine and controlled levels of calcium and magnesium ions. The base medium can be supplemented with blood (5 – 10%). Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) may be added at 20 mg/L to make the medium suitable for use with more fastidious organisms such as Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae (LS0005). Related Supplements : LS0005 NAD Supplement (20mgs/L), Defibrinated Horse Blood
  • Approved by the Clinical & Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI formerly known as the NCCLS) in USA this medium can be considered as an alternative to Iso-Sensitest Broth for antimicrobial sensitivity testing and MIC determinations by tube dilution methods. (1&2) Beef extract and acid hydrolysate of casein provides the required nitrogen, carbon and vitamins in the medium. Starch absorbs any toxic metabolites produced. References (1) Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. 2006. Performance standards for antimicrobial disk susceptibility tests. Approved standard M2-A9. CLSI, Wayne, PA. (2) MacFaddin, J. 1985. Media for isolation cultivation, identification maintenance of medical bacteria. Williams & Williams, Baltimore.
  • This is a selective enrichment broth for the isolation of Salmonella spp. primarily from food and food product samples and conforms to the requirements ISO 6579:2002. It can however be used in other areas including clinical and environmental specimens. Salmonella spp. reduce tetrathionate and will proliferate in the medium whilst most other enteric organisms are inhibited. Unlike the older traditional tetrathionate broth the addition of novobiocin (40 mg/l) improves the inhibition of Proteus spp. Immediately prior to use it is necessary to add 20 ml/l of 2% iodine/iodide solution (BM0946). Once the iodine/iodide solution has been added the medium should be used immediately and cannot be stored for future use. NB: As this is an opaque medium, the turbidity of the broth alone cannot be used as an indication of growth. Related Supplements : LS0024 Novobiocin Supplement (20mgs/L)
  • 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.  
  • KM0141

    Nutrient Agar

    A basic general-purpose medium suitable for use in the cultivation of the less fastidious organisms particularly those that do not require the addition of blood or other enrichment. When used to prepare agar slopes or agar butts, the medium can be used to maintain control organisms. The peptone provides the required carbon, nitrogen and vitamins. Sodium chloride maintains osmotic balance.  
  • A general-purpose medium for the cultivation of organisms that are less fastidious in their nutritional requirements. The beef extract, peptone and yeast extract act as carbon, nitrogen and vitamin sources in this medium. Sodium chloride maintains osmotic balance.