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This is best described as a multi-purpose medium for differentiation of enterobacteriacae that combines three individual tests into a single medium. For use the medium is inoculated by making a single stab into the medium with a straight wire (or equivalent) using a pure culture (or discrete single colony) of the test organism. Following incubation it is recommended that the medium should first of all be examined to determine whether or not the organism is motile. The presence of motility is apparent by the organism tracking out from the line of inoculation and often turning the medium turbid. Non-motile organisms generally grow within the stab line leaving the surrounding medium clear. Urease positive organisms (e.g. Proteus spp) turn the medium bright red due to the hydrolysis of the Urea in the presence of the Phenol Red Indicator often making it difficult to determine the other parameters.Indole is tested for by layering a small amount of Indole Reagent (Erlich’s or Kovac’s appear to work equally well) onto the surface of the medium and allowed a few minutes to react. A positive result is indicated by the formation of a red line at the interface of the reagent and the medium. -
de Man, Rogosa & Sharpe (MRS) Agar M.R.S. Agar is intended for the cultivation and enumeration of Lactobacillus spp from a variety of sources and can be used as an alternative to Orange Serum Agar for that purpose. Magnesium Sulphate, Manganese Sulphate, Sodium Acetate and Tween are included as growth supplements. The medium can be made more specific for lactobacilli generally by lowering the pH to between 5.0 and 5.5. This has the effect of inhibiting most streptococci that may otherwise grow on the medium and can be readily confused with lactobacilli. -
This is a solution of novobiocin used as the selective agent in Modified Semi Solid Rappaport Vassiliadis Medium (BM4031) for the detection of motile Salmonella spp. -
The MSS (Molecular Sampling Solution) Swab Kit is designed to facilitate collection, inactivation and transport of patient specimens safely from the site of sampling to a laboratory location. The kit consists of a versatile sterile swab* for specimen collection and a self-standing polypropylene tube with swab capture cap containing Molecular Sampling Solution (MSS) inactivating transport medium. MSS is designed to disrupt microorganisms (including viruses and bacteria), release nucleic acids, denature proteins, and destroy nucleases. This reduces the infection hazard during transport and laboratory processing, as well as preserving nucleic acids for identification by PCR or other nucleic acid techniques. The stability of nucleic acids afforded by the MSS enables transport and storage in the 2-30°C range**. Viral nucleic acids remain stable in MSS at room temperature for at least 14 days. MSS (Molecular Sampling Solution) The MSS formulation is buffered to help maintain pH and contains a buffering agent (Tris), a metal ion chelator (EDTA), a non-ionic surfactant, and a chaotropic agent (guanidine isothiocyanate) to ensure disruption of microorganisms, denaturation of proteins, release of nucleic acids, and inactivation of nucleases that may destroy target nucleic acids. The resultant sample is suitable for target identification by PCR analysis as well as other nucleic acid techniques. SW0004 MSS Swab Kit cannot be used for cell culture-based diagnostic testing. *Not suitable for nasopharyngeal swabbing. **Must be stored in the dark. -
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 -
Mueller Hinton Agar is recommended for use in the antibiotic disk diffusion method by both the European Committee on Antibiotic Sensitivity Testing (EUCAST) and the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). The medium contains low levels of divalent metal cations, such as calcium and magnesium, to minimise any interference with certain antibiotic classes e.g. aminoglycosides. Starch is also present to absorb any toxic metabolites that may be formed during growth. The medium is low in thymine & thymidine content and is therefore suitable for use in testing sulphonamides and trimethoprim without the addition of 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.
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Mueller Hinton Agar Chocolate is used for the isolation and cultivation of fastidious bacteria from clinical specimens. It may also be used for the susceptibility testing of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Mueller Hinton Agar Chocolate is an enriched, non-selective medium on which fastidious and non-fastidious bacteria, including normal flora, will grow. Therefore, it is recommended to inoculate specimens also onto appropriate selective media. The term “fastidious bacteria” relates to bacteria that do not grow or do not grow well on normally used primary isolation media containing sheep blood. -
Approved by the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) in USA this medium can be considered as an alternative to Iso-Sensitest Agar for antimicrobial sensitivity testing by disc diffusion methods. It is low in Thymine and Thymidine and is therefore suitable for use in testing Sulphonamides & Trimethoprim without the addition of Lysed Blood. -
Approved by the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS) in USA this medium is approved for use in antimicrobial sensitivity testing by the disc diffusion method and is recommended particularly for use with the Bauer-Kirby Technique It is low in Thymine and Thymidine and is therefore suitable for use in testing Sulphonamides & Trimethoprim and controlled to ensure correct zone sizes with Tetracyline and Aminoglycoside antibiotics. It can be considered as an alternative to Iso-Sensitest Agar. This particular formulation has an additional 2% Sodium Chloride added to the medium making it suitable for the detection of resistance to Methicillin in staphylococci and it is included in the recommendations of British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (BSAC) for this purpose. It is not however recommended for testing of organisms requiring a CO2 enriched environment due to the pH effect on the medium. If incubation in a CO2 enriched environment is essential control organisms should be included to confirm that results have not been altered. -
Mueller-Hinton Agar is a defined medium used primarily in Antimicrobial Sensitivity Testing using the disc diffusion technique 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 medium contains low levels of thymidine and thymine and controlled levels of calcium and magnesium ions. Additional supplementation of the Mueller Hinton medium using 5% Horse Blood and 20mg/L of Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) makes it suitable for use with the more fastidious organisms such as Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae. -
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. It is low in Thymine and Thymidine and is therefore suitable for use in testing Sulphonamides & Trimethoprim. It is sometimes used in conjunction with Mueller-Hinton Agar. -
Mueller-Hinton with 2% Glucose & Methylene Blue (25ml) This medium is intended for use as a means of differentiation of Candida spp. based on Mueller-Hinton Agar base. The medium is modified by the addition of Glucose and Methylene Blue indicator and is the recommended media for the susceptibility testing of Yeasts according to the CLSI M44-A2 document. -
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)
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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 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 (40mg/L) improves the inhibition of Proteus spp. Immediately prior to use it is necessary to add 200µl of 2% Iodine/Iodide Solution (BM0946 - Supplied with the medium). 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. -
This is a selective enrichment broth for the isolation of Salmonellae spp. primarily from food and food product samples and conforms to the requirements as described in ISO 6579:2002. It can however be used in other areas including for clinical and environmental specimens. Salmonella 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 (40mg/L) improves the inhibition of Proteus spp. This complete medium already includes the 2% Iodine solution that is traditionally added immediately before use. NB: As this is an opaque medium turbidity cannot be used as an indication of growth. -
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.
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A selective medium for the isolation of fungi, particularly dermatophytes from clinical specimens, Mycological Agar is suitable for use in all areas of Mycology. The medium inhibits most bacteria due to the addition of Chloramphenicol which is added to reduce the risk of bacterial contamination when processing material that may be heavily contaminated particularly with Coliforms. Cycloheximide is also added to suppress the growth of yeasts and saprophytic fungi. -
Based on Fastidious Anaerobe Agar Base with added Egg Yolk Emulsion, this medium can be used to test Clostridium perfringens for phospholipase production. A zone of opalescence around the colonies is indicative of a positive reaction. It can also be used as an aid to identification of Clostridium perfringens if antitoxin is spread onto half of the plate prior to inoculation (Nagler Reaction). -
Neomycin Selective Supplement E&O Laboratories Ltd Neomycin Selective Supplement (LS0017) is an antibiotic supplement used to enhance the isolation of anaerobes from clinical specimens. -
This is a general-purpose neutralising diluent used particularly in the pharmaceutical industry. Lecithin, L-histidine and Tween 80 are present to inactivate surface disinfectants such as quaternary ammonium compounds, phenols, aldehydes (including formaldehyde), hexachlorophene and ethanol. The diluent may be used in sampling surfaces and equipment (including endoscopes) to detect the presence of surviving microorganisms after disinfection. The presence of the surfactant Tween 80 also helps release adherent organisms from surfaces being tested.
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This is an egg-based medium for the isolation and presumptive identification of Mycobacterium spp., particularly Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Designed for use with NaOH treated samples which are neutralised using known buffering solutions to achieve a pH of 6.8 to 7.0 and which are inoculated directly onto LJ media after concentration by centrifugation. NB: this media will NOT isolate M.bovis which requires the addition of pyruvate as a growth supplement.This is normally overcome by the inclusion of a pyruvate slope. Based on the original formulation of Lowenstein that was subsequently modified by Jensen, the medium contains glycerol and egg which provide the required protein and fatty acids. The coagulation of the egg albumin during preparation also provides a solid surface for inoculation purposes. Malachite green is incorporated into the medium to inhibit contaminating organisms other than the mycobacteria that may still be present in the specimen after decontamination. Lowenstein-Jensen slopes should be inoculated with pre-treated specimens and incubated at 35-37°C for 8 weeks in 5-10% CO2. Container caps should be left loose for the first week of incubation to allow for circulation of the carbon dioxide as this will help to stimulate growth. Caps should then be tightened to prevent any dehydration of the medium. -
This is an egg-based medium for the isolation and presumptive identification of Mycobacterium spp. Designed for use with NaOH treated samples which are neutralised using known buffering solutions to achieve a pH of 6.8 to 7.0 and which are inoculated directly onto LJ media after concentration by centrifugation. This medium will isolate most common mycobacteria including M.bovis. Based on the original formulation of Lowenstein that was subsequently modified by Jensen, the medium contains pyruvate and egg which provide the required protein and fatty acids. It differs from Lowenstein-Jensen Medium in that Sodium Pyruvate has replaced the Glycerol, which has been demonstrated to be inhibitory to some species, particularly M.bovis. The coagulation of the egg albumin during preparation also provides a solid surface for inoculation purposes. Malachite green is incorporated into the medium to inhibit contaminating organisms other than the mycobacteria that may still be present in the specimen after decontamination. Lowenstein-Jensen slopes should be inoculated with pre-treated specimens and incubated at 35-37°C for 8 weeks in 5-10% CO2. Container caps should be left loose for the first week of incubation to allow for circulation of the carbon dioxide as this will help to stimulate growth. Caps should then be tightened to prevent any dehydration of the medium. -
Pages Amoeba Saline & Agar No.1 This is a non-nutrient medium based on Page’s Amoeba Saline, a buffered salt solution, solidified with 1.5% Agar. -
This is a non-nutrient medium based on Page’s Amoeba Saline, a buffered salt solution, solidified with 1.5% Agar.
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Novobiocin Supplement (20mgs/L) E&O Laboratories Ltd Novobiocin Selective Supplement can be used to enhance the isolation of Salmonella spp. by motility enrichment and the selective enrichment of E.coli Serogroup O157 in food and faeces samples and also in the isolation of Salmonella typhimurium at 40mgs/L when used with Muller-Kauffmann Tetrathionate (MKTTn) Broth.
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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.
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A general purpose medium for the cultivation of organisms that are less fastidious in their nutritional requirements. This particular formulation has additional 0.2% Agar added to provide for a firmer medium without loss of efficacy. Generally used to maintain cultures or to check the purity of subcultures from isolation media. -
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. -
A general-purpose medium for the cultivation of organisms that are less fastidious in their nutritional requirements. -
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.
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Nutrient Broth No.2 is used for the cultivation of fastidious pathogens and other microorganisms. This general use medium, rich in nutrients, allows the growth of bacteria when there is a low level of cells. The medium is particularly suitable as a secondary growth medium for staphylococci to be tested for coagulase production and also be used for sterility testing of aerobic organisms. Beef extract and peptone provide the required carbon, nitrogen and vitamins. Sodium chloride maintains osmotic balance.
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Based on Nutrient Broth with an additional 2.5% Sodium Chloride this medium is suitable for use in the investigation of outbreaks involving Staphylococcus aureus especially MRSA. The additional Sodium Chloride inhibits most other organisms allowing the staphylococci to multiply freely even if present in small numbers. The medium is generally used as an enrichment medium in conjunction with subculture onto selective solid media as described in PHE SMI B29 issue No.6.
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Based on Nutrient Broth with an additional 6.0% Sodium Chloride (Total Sodium Chloride content = 6.5%) this medium is suitable for use in the investigation of outbreaks involving Staphylococcus aureus including MRSA. The additional Sodium Chloride inhibits most other organisms allowing the staphylococci to multiply freely even if present in small numbers. The medium is generally used as an enrichment medium in conjunction with subculture onto selective solid media. -
Based on Nutrient Broth with an additional 6.5% Sodium Chloride (Total Sodium Chloride content = 7%) this medium is suitable for use in the investigation of outbreaks involving Staphylococcus aureus including MRSA. The additional Sodium Chloride inhibits most other organisms allowing the staphylococci to multiply freely even if present in small numbers. The medium is generally used as an enrichment medium in conjunction with subculture onto selective solid media. -
O-F Medium is used for the determination of oxidative and fermentative metabolism of carbohydrates by Gram-negative bacilli (1). This is on the basis of the acid reaction in either the open or closed system that has been covered with sterile paraffin oil. Changes in the covered agar are considered to be due to true fermentation, while changes in the open tubes are due to the oxidative utilization of the carbohydrate present. O-F Base Medium requires the addition of the specific carbohydrate being investigated. The enzymatic digest of casein provides the required nitrogen, carbon and vitamins in the media. Sodium chloride maintains the osmotic balance. Di-potassium hydrogen phosphate acts as a buffer and bromothymol blue is a pH indicator. The agar is a solidifying agent. Reference (1) Hugh, R. and Leifson, E.J. 1953. Bacteriol. 66:24-26.
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This is an aqueous solution of Oxalic acid (3%) suitable for use in the digestion and neutralisation of Sputum that may be contaminated with Pseudomonas like organisms prior to culture. -
This is an aqueous solution of Oxalic acid (5%) suitable for use in the digestion and neutralisation of Sputum that may be contaminated with Pseudomonas like organisms prior to culture. -
Oxytetracycline (100mgs/L) Selective Supplement E&O Laboratories Ltd Oxytetracycline Selective Supplement can be used with a glucose, yeast or maltose extract based agar for selective isolation of Yeasts and Moulds from a variety of sample types. Due to the near neutral pH of the medium, Oxytetracycline is added to reduce the risk of bacterial growth when processing materials that may be more heavily contaminated. Media using oxytetracycline as the selective agent is based on the formulation developed by Mossel et al. who stated that the use of this antibiotic in a medium with a neutral pH gave increased counts of yeasts and moulds from a variety of foodstuffs compared with media which relied on a low pH to suppress bacterial growth.
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This is an established medium, with a neutral pH, used for the enumeration of Yeasts and Moulds -
This is a selective differential medium for the isolation of Listeria monocytogenes from food, clinical and environmental specimens. -
Palcam agar is a selective differential medium for the isolation of Listeria monocytogenes from food, clinical and environmental specimens. The Columbia peptone mix and starch provide the required carbon, nitrogen and vitamins. Glucose is a fermentable carbohydrate. Differentiation of Listeria spp. from enterococci and staphylococci occurs through aesculin hydrolysis and mannitol fermentation. Listeria monocytogenes will hydrolyse aesculin and the associated reaction with the ferric ammonium citrate gives rise to a brown/black precipitate around the colonies. Listeria spp. do not however ferment mannitol. Mannitol fermentation is seen through a colour change of the colony or the area around the colony from red to yellow due to the production of acidic end products. Phenol red is the pH indicator in the medium. Lithium chloride is included to inhibit enterococci. The associated Palcam selective supplement, LS0038, contains polymyxin B, acriflavine and ceftazidime to inhibit other Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms that may be present in specimens. Related Supplements : LS0038 PALCAM Selective Supplement
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PALCAM Selective Supplement E&O Laboratories Ltd PALCAM Selective Supplement (LS0038) is a selective mixture used to supplement PALCAM agar base in order to facilitate the isolation of Listeria monocytogenes and other Listeria species from food samples.
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Pasteurella Agar Base is an non-selective medium capable of supporting the growth of Pasteurella spp. Pasteurella spp.are spherical, ovoid or rod-shaped cells 0.3-1.0μm in diameter and 1.0-2.0μm in length. Cells are Gram negative, and occur singly, or in pairs or short chains. Bipolar staining may be seen and capsules may be present. All species are non-motile, and are facultatively anaerobic.(1) With further enrichment using 5-10% blood and selective antimicrobials, most Pasteurella spp. can be isolated. There is no haemolysis on blood agar for Pasteurella spp. and the organism will not regularly exhibit satellitism around colonies of Staphylococcus spp. The peptones act as carbon, nitrogen and vitamin sources in this medium. Sodium chloride maintains the osmotic balance and the agar is a solidifying agent. The medium is made selective through the addition of LS0057, Pasteurella agar selective supplement. REFERENCE (1) Standards Unit, Microbiology Services, PHE. 1995. UK Standards for Microbiology Investigations. Identification of Pasteurella species and Morphologically Similar Organisms. 3, 1-28.
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Peptone water is a general-purpose medium that supports thecultivation of non-fastidious organisms. This non-selective medium can be used a basal medium for biochemical tests such as carbohydrate fermentation and production of indole. Tryptone and peptone act as sources of carbon, nitrogen and vitamins in this medium and sodium chloride maintains osmotic balance.
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A general-purpose medium that can be used as a base for carbohydrate fermentation media. It has a high level of Tryptone and is therefore also suitable for use in Indole testing. -
A general-purpose diluent for the preparation of test samples according to ISO/DIS 6887-5. -
This is one of the large group of media, affectionately known as ‘Peptone Water Sugars’, that are generally used in the screening and/or identification of organisms particularly the enterobacteriacae. A positive fermentation of the substrate is clearly indicated by the medium turning pink due to the inclusion Andrade’s Indicator. -
This is a base medium to which can be added selective supplements of choice for the presumptive identification and enumeration of Clostridium perfringens in food products using poured plate techniques. Sodium metabisulphite and Ferric ammonium citrate are included in the base and together provide an indicator of sulphite reaction by Clostridium perfringens, which produces black colonies on the medium. It is recommended that this medium be used with an overlay otherwise cultures may not grow as black colonies. NB: This is a base medium only and contains no selective supplements. -
Perfringens Agar Base is a base medium that allows the enumeration of Clostridium perfringens from food samples. As a base medium, Perfringens Agar Base can have several supplementary and selective agents added to increase selectivity. The addition of Eye Yolk Emulsion (BM0140) allows the detection of lecithinase activity as precipitates are formed by C. perfringens. The addition of D-cycloserine (LS0023) can be used to inhibit other facultative anaerobes, as used in Tryptose-Sulphite-Cycloserine (TSC) agar. (1&2) Alternately, kanamycin and polymyxin B (LS0025) can be used to inhibit other coliforms generally found in food samples, as used in Shahidi-Ferguson Perfringens (SFP) agar.(3) The tryptose and soy peptone provide the required nitrogen, carbon and minerals. Yeast extract provide the essential vitamins, including the vitamin B group, needed for growth. The ferric ammonium citrate and sodium metabisulphite allows the reduction of sulphites to hydrogen sulphide by C. perfringens, which produces black colonies. References (1) ISO- 7937:2004. Microbiology of food and animal feeding stuffs- Horizontal method for the enumeration of Clostridium perfringens - Colony count technique (2) Harmon, S.M., Kauttar, D.A. and Peeler, J.T. 1971. Improved Medium for Enumeration of Clostridium perfringens. Appl. Microbiol. 22:688-692. (3) Shahidi S. A. and Ferguson A. R. 1971 New Quantitative, Qualitative, and Confirmatory Media for Rapid Analysis of Food for Clostridium perfringens. Appl. Microbiol. 21:500-506
