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Bacillus Cereus (Mannitol Egg Yolk Polymixin - MYP) Agar Intended for the selective enumeration of Bacillus cereus in food samples the medium uses two reactions (Mannitol fermentation and Lecithinase production) to differentiate Bacillus cereus from other members of the species. As Bacillus cereus is Mannitol Negative the colonies are pink in colour due to the presence of Phenol Red Indicator. Lecithinase production (from the Egg Yolk) is indicated by a white precipitate around the colonies. Polymixin is added as the selective agent to inhibit coliforms. NB: It should be noted that some Proteus spp and gram positive cocci may grow on this medium. -
Bile Aesculin Agar Bile Aesculin Medium is generally used for the differentiation and presumptive identification of Group D streptococci (enterococci). Enterococci hydrolyse aesculin forming, amongst other products, aesculetin which in turn combines with Ferric ammonium citrate producing a dark brown or black complex. The presence of Bile salts in the medium inhibits gram positive organisms other than enterococci. The medium can also be used for the presumptive identification of certain organisms within the Enterobacteriaceae group such as Klebsiella spp., Enterobacter spp., etc. -
A general purpose medium enriched with 5% Defibrinated Sheep Blood, suitable for the isolation of most organisms including many fastidious anaerobes. -
This is a selective medium for the isolation of Burkholderia cepacia. The base contains Bile Salts and Crystal Violet as selective agents and Ticarcillin and Polymixin B are added as additional supplements to further improve the selectivity particularly inhibition of most Pseudomonas spp. -
Campylobacter Blood Free CCDA Agar One of several media formulations available for the selective isolation of Campylobacter spp., primarily C.jejuni and C.coli, which are the leading cause of enteric illness in the UK. Campylobacter spp. can cause mild to severe diarrhoea, usually self-limiting, but some specific serotypes can trigger acute post-infective conditions affecting the peripheral nervous system, such as Guillain-Barré Syndrome. Campylobacter Blood-Free Selective Medium (CCDA) was first described by Bolton. This medium was formulated to replace blood with a combination of charcoal, ferrous sulphate, and sodium pyruvate. Also, in order to improve selectivity, Cefoperazone replaced the Cephazolin utilised in the original formulation. Bolton 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 & C.coli). Yeast and fungal contaminants can be suppressed with the addition of Amphotericin B. Campylobacter Blood-Free Selective Medium (CCDA) is recommended for food testing. Campylobacter Blood-Free Selective Medium with the addition of Yeast Extract and Cefoperazone is used in the Isolation of Campylobacter species from foodstuffs and swabs in the FDA/BAM Method. The product complies with the requirements of ISO 10272-1:2006. -
Chromogenic medium for detection of Clostridium difficile. Clostridium difficile (C.difficile) is the leading cause of nosocomial infectious diarrheoa in adults. These infections occur mostly in patients who have both medical care and antibiotic treatment and have become more frequent and more difficult to treat in the last years due to the emergence of highly toxigenic C.difficile strains. Although PCR has become the leading C.difficile detection technique, culture is essential for strain typing and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. CHROMagarTM C.difficile is a new fluorogenic culture medium, extremely sensitive and selective, especially designed to simplify and speed up (24h) the culture of C.difficile. -
Recent developments in culture media have given rise to the use of chromogenic substrates as a means of differentiating bacteria. This is one such medium and is a selective medium for the isolation and presumptive identification of Listeria monocytogenes from clinical and food samples. The medium is made selective by the inclusion of Lithium chloride, Ceftazidime, Polymixin B, Nalidixic acid (to suppress other bacteria) and Amphotericin B (to suppress yeasts and fungi). With the combination of both the chromogenic substrate and phospholipase C enzyme reactions, it is possible to differentiate L.monocytogenes from other Listeria spp. Users should be aware that some strains of L.ivanovii are capable of producing an opaque halo, highlighting the need to confirm presumptively identified colonies. -
Side One: Columbia Agar & Horse Blood - A general purpose medium enriched with 5% Defibrinated Horse Blood, suitable for the isolation of most organisms, including many fastidious anaerobes. Side Two: Bacitracin Chocolate Agar - A highly nutritious medium enriched with Horse Blood, where the blood has been ‘chocolated’ by heating the medium to 60°C. The addition of the selective agent, Bacitracin, makes this medium particularly suitable for the selective isolation of Haemophilus spp. -
A general purpose medium enriched with 5% Defibrinated Horse Blood, suitable for the isolation of most organisms including many fastidious anaerobes. -
A very nutritious general-purpose medium based on Columbia Agar Base enriched with 5% Sheep Blood, suitable for the isolation of most organisms including most fastidious anaerobes of clinical significance. Many workers claim that β-haemolysis is more readily apparent, particularly in group A streptococci, when Sheep Blood is used in place of Horse Blood. -
Columbia Agar Base with 7% Horse Blood & Gardnerella Supplement This is selective medium for the isolation of Gardnerella vaginalis from clinical samples. Based on Columbia Agar the medium is enriched with 7% Horse Blood and made selective by the addition of Colistin and Nalidixic Acid to suppress other bacteria -
Columbia Agar Base with 7% Horse Blood & 50mg/L Neomycin Based on Columbia Agar enriched with 7% Horse Blood this formulation has been modified to include Neomycin, which will inhibit most gram-positive and gram-negative aerobes, making it suitable for use as a selective medium for the isolation of many anaerobes. -
A very nutritious general-purpose medium based on Columbia Agar Base enriched with 7% Sheep Blood, suitable for the isolation of most organisms including most fastidious anaerobes of clinical significance. Many workers claim that β haemolysis is more readily apparent, particularly in group A streptococci, when Sheep Blood is used in place of Horse Blood. -
It is not possible to sterilise whole blood products and therefore they must be collected aseptically. Horse and sheep blood are the most widely used animal blood products in culture media. The choice of which type of blood to use with culture media is largely traditional, with much of continental Europe preferring sheep blood, whilst the UK and certain parts of the Commonwealth prefer horse blood. Defibrinated horse blood is aseptically collected whole horse blood that has been processed to remove fibrin. There are no additives or preservatives in this product. Defibrination is now accepted as the best method of preventing blood clotting. It must be carried out immediately after drawing the blood and the agitation must be sufficient to denature the fibrinogen but not to cause rupture of the erythrocytes and haemolysis. The haemolytic reactions of horse blood are not identical to sheep blood and blood agar media designed for horse blood may not be satisfactory with sheep blood and vice versa. -
It is not possible to sterilise whole blood products and therefore they must be collected aseptically. Horse and sheep blood are the most widely used animal blood products in culture media. The choice of which type of blood to use with culture media is largely traditional, with much of continental Europe preferring sheep blood, whilst the UK and certain parts of the Commonwealth prefer horse blood. Defibrinated sheep cells are aseptically collected whole sheep blood that has been processed to remove fibrin. There are no additives or preservatives in this product. Defibrination is now accepted as the best method of preventing blood clotting. It must be carried out immediately after drawing the blood and the agitation must be sufficient to denature the fibrinogen but not to cause rupture of the erythrocytes and haemolysis. The haemolytic reactions of sheep blood are not identical to the reactions of horse blood and blood agar media designed for sheep blood may not be satisfactory with horse blood and vice versa. -
Dermatophyte Test Medium with Chloramphenicol & Cyclohexamide (Actidione) This is a selective medium for the isolation of dermatophytes that includes a Phenol Red indicator to assist in the differentiation between dermatophytes and other pathogenic fungi. Although the low pH (5.5) of the medium inhibits most bacteria, Chloramphenicol is added to further reduce the risk when processing material that may be more heavily contaminated. Cyclohexamide (Actidione) is also added to suppress the growth of most yeasts and saprophytic fungi. Dermatophytes appear as fluffy white colonies and produce a red colour on the medium while other fungi cause the medium to become yellow due to acid production. Yeasts will also grow on this medium but are readily distinguished by their distinct white/creamy colonies and distinctive smell. NB: Prolonged incubation should be avoided as this may cause fungi other than dermatophytes to turn the medium red -
Fastidious Anaerobe Agar (FAA) with 5% Sheep Blood Fastidious Anaerobe Agar is intended as a primary isolation medium capable of supporting most clinically significant anaerobes including fastidious organisms. The formulation is complex and includes detoxification agents (Starch & Sodium Bicarbonate) growth enhancing agents (Cysteine, Arginine, Vitamin K, Sodium Succinate, Glucose and pyrophosphate) as well as Haemin to encourage pigment production in Porphyromonas melaninogenicus. Sodium Pyruvate is also included to help neutralise Hydrogen Peroxide. In this instance the medium is further enriched by the addition of 5% Sheep Blood. -
Fastidious Anaerobe Agar with 7% Horse Blood, Vancomycin (6mg/L) & Nalidixic Acid (10mg/L) This is a selective medium for the isolation of gram-negative anaerobes from clinical specimens. The base medium, Fastidious Anaerobe Agar, is complex and includes detoxification agents (Starch & Sodium Bicarbonate), growth enhancing agents (Cysteine, Arginine, Vitamin K, Sodium Succinate, Glucose and pyrophosphate) as well as Haemin to encourage pigment production where appropriate. Sodium Pyruvate is also included to help neutralise Hydrogen Peroxide. The medium is made selective, by the inclusion of Naladixic Acid and Vancomycin and further enriched by the addition of 7% Horse Blood. -
This is a non-selective medium for the maintenance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae cultures. Based on the medium developed by Thayer & Martin, it includes Corn Starch to absorb toxic metabolites and is buffered to maintain a neutral pH. Yeast Extract and Glucose are also added as further enrichment along with laked horse blood to ensure an more luxuriant growth of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. NB: This is a Basic medium only and DOES NOT contain any selective agents. It is therefore not recommended for use as a primary isolation medium. -
There are a number of media available for the selective isolation of Neisseria gonorrhoeae of which this is one. Based on the medium developed by Thayer & Martin, it includes Corn Starch to absorb toxic metabolites and is buffered to maintain a neutral pH. The medium is made selective by the inclusion of LCAT (Lincomycin, Colistin, Amphotericin B & Trimethoprim). Lincomycin and Colistin inhibit the growth of the majority of contaminating organisms likely to be present. Trimethoprim is included to reduce the spreading of Proteus spp and Amphotericin B to inhibit yeasts and fungi. Yeast Extract and Glucose are also added as further enrichment along with laked horse blood to ensure an more luxuriant growth of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. -
There are a number of media available for the selective isolation of Neisseria gonorrhoeae of which this is one. Based on the medium developed by Thayer & Martin, it includes Corn Starch to absorb toxic metabolites and is buffered to maintain a neutral pH. The medium is made selective by the inclusion of VCAT (Vancomycin, Colistin, Amphotericin B & Trimethoprim). Vancomycin and Colistin inhibit the growth of the majority of contaminating organisms likely to be present. Trimethoprim is included to reduce the spreading of Proteus spp and Amphotericin B to inhibit yeasts and fungi. Yeast Extract and Glucose are also added as further enrichment along with laked horse blood to ensure an more luxuriant growth of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. -
There are a number of media available for the selective isolation of Neisseria gonorrhoeae of which this is one. Based on the medium developed by Thayer & Martin, it includes Corn Starch to absorb toxic metabolites and is buffered to maintain a neutral pH. The medium is made selective by the inclusion of VCNT (Vancomycin, Colistin, Nystatin & Trimethoprim). Vancomycin and Colistin inhibit the growth of the majority of contaminating organisms likely to be present. Trimethoprim is included to reduce the spreading of Proteus spp and Nystatin to inhibit yeasts and fungi. Yeast Extract and Glucose are also added as further enrichment along with laked horse blood to ensure an more luxuriant growth of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. -
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 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. -
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). -
This is a selective differential medium for the isolation of Listeria monocytogenes from food, clinical and environmental specimens. -
This is a medium for the isolation and identification of Group B streptococci. The principal of the medium is based on the ability of group B streptococci to produce unique orange/red pigmented colonies when incubated anaerobically, particularly on media containing starch products. This medium is non-selective so other organisms will grow on this medium but they do not produce the characteristic pigment. -
R2A medium was developed to determine the bacterial count including heterotrophic bacteria in potable waters during treatment and distribution. This medium has a low nutritional content and therefore requires extended incubation times. It is recommended by the Environmental Agency, Methods for the Examination of Waters and Associated Materials, and Standard Methods for the Enumeration of Water and Wastewater. -
RPMI Medium for E-Test RPMI Medium is recommended for use in anti-fungal susceptibility testing of yeasts from clinical isolates using the E-Test method. The medium is based on a simple Glucose Agar with added RPMI-1640 Medium (without Sodium Bicarbonate & Phenol Red), which supplies the necessary vitamins and amino-acids, and MOPS (3-(Morpholino)propanesulfonic Acid) Buffer to maintain the medium pH during incubation. -
This is a plate count agar originally suggested by the American public Health Association for the estimation of total viable counts in food and dairy products.
