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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 have sterile distilled water added at the end of the designated treatment time to "dilute" the effect of NaOH. 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 have sterile distilled water added at the end of the designated treatment time to "dilute" the effect of NaOH. This media 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. -
Alkaline Peptone Water is generally used as an enrichment medium in the isolation of Vibrio spp. from faeces. The high pH of the medium inhibits most enteric organisms for at least 24 hours. The medium is heavily inoculated with faeces and after not more than 8 hours incubation a loopful from the top of the medium is sub cultured onto TCBS Agar. This enrichment medium is also used for food and water testing. -
This is a medium supporting a wide range of organisms. It conforms to the requirements of the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) for antibiotic sensitivity testing of pharmaceutical products. As previously stated Antibiotic Medium No. 1 is used in the performance of antibiotic assays. This medium is prepared according to the specifications detailed in the USP. The use of this medium assures well-defined inhibition zones of the test organisms. Nutrients and growth factors are supplied by peptic digest of animal tissue, casein hydrolysate, yeast extract, and beef extract. Glucose is a carbon source. -
This is a medium supporting a wide range of organisms. It conforms to the requirements of the United States Pharmacopeia for antibiotic sensitivity testing of pharmaceutical products. Antibiotic Assay Medium No.32 is a modification of Antibiotic assay medium No.1. (E & O BM4710). This medium is used to develop inoculum of Bacillus subtilis for antibiotic assay used in the test for assaying by the plate assay method. Nutrients and growth factors are supplied by peptic digest of animal tissue, casein hydrolysate, yeast extract, and beef extract. Glucose is a carbon source. -
This is a medium supporting a wide range of organisms. It conforms to the requirements of the United States Pharmacopeia for antibiotic sensitivity testing of pharmaceutical products. Antibiotic Assay Medium No. 8 is recommended for preparing inoculum of Bacillus subtilis to be used as a test for assaying Vancomycin by plate assay method. -
Bacillus cereus agar (PEMBA) is used for the selective isolation and enumeration of Bacillus cereus in food samples. It is said to be particularly suitable for the detection of small numbers of Bacillus cereus particularly in the presence of other contaminating organisms. Bacillus cereus agar (PEMBA) is based on the formulation developed by Holbrook and Anderson. The peptone provides the required carbon, nitrogen and vitamins. Mannitol is a fermentable carbohydrate. Bromothymol blue is a pH indicator used to detect mannitol fermentation. Sodium chloride maintains the osmotic balance. Magnesium sulphate provides divalent cations and sulphate. Di-sodium hydrogen phosphate and potassium dihydrogen phosphate are buffering agents. Egg yolk emulsion (BM0140) must be added to this media to assess lecithinase production. Sodium pyruvate is present to improve egg yolk precipitation and enhance B. cereus sporulation. The medium is made selective by the inclusion of polymyxin B sulphate (LS1051). -
Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS) with Beads is an isotonic diluent for the maximum recovery of mycobacteria. The low nutritional content of the diluent prevents organism multiplication in the sample for a minimum of one hour. Sodium chloride maintains the osmotic balance and the beads help to separate mycobacteria cell clumps.
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This is a very nutritious general-purpose medium suitable for the isolation of most organisms including many fastidious anaerobes. It is particularly recommended for streptococci and neisseria. -
A very nutritious isotonic general-purpose medium with a low concentration of Glucose to stimulate early growth, Brain Heart Infusion Broth is suitable for the isolation of most micro-organisms including many fastidious organisms and, with enrichment as appropriate, is suitable as a base for blood culture medium. A phosphate buffer is incorporated to help neutralise any acids produced as a result of Glucose utilisation and thus maintain viability of the organisms. This particular formulation also has added Glycerol to act as cryopreservative if the medium is used for the long term frozen storage of microorganisms. NB: Organisms that produce large amounts of acid in the medium may overwhelm the buffering system and as a result ‘auto-sterilise’ the culture. -
An enriched general purpose broth being an isotonic medium with Tryptose providing a wide range of substrates. The medium is further enriched with 10% horse serum for more fastidious organisms and as an enrichment broth. -
BM0070 Brain Heart Infusion Broth is a nutritious, isotonic, general-purpose medium suitable for the isolation of most micro-organisms including many fastidious organisms and, with enrichment as appropriate, is suitable as a base for blood culture medium. Modern BHI typically uses an infusion from porcine brains and hearts rather than calf brain tissue, and uses disodium phosphate as a buffer, rather than the calcium carbonate used by Rosenow and Haden. It is a nutrient-rich medium and can therefore be used to culture a variety of fastidious organisms, including streptococci, pneumococci, and meningococci, which can be challenging to grow. Brain Heart Infusion Broth is recommended by the FDA BAM for the enrichment for pathogenic Escherichia coli in foods and environmental samples, and as a medium used in the coagulase test for the identification of Staphylococcus aureus from foods, and Gram-positive cocci from cosmetic samples. NB: Organisms that produce large amounts of acid in the medium may overwhelm the buffering system and as a result ‘auto-sterilise’ the culture. -
This medium is used to detect and/or confirm the presence of coli-aerogenes group of organisms in water, food and dairy laboratories. Bile and Brilliant Green are included in the medium to inhibit gram positive organisms while the coli-aerogenes organisms are identified by the formation of gas during the fermentation of Lactose. The medium can also be used for the confirmation of Escherichia coli by incubating at 44°C.
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Buffered Sodium Chloride Peptone Diluent is used for the microbial examination of pharmaceutical products, e.g. as a diluent for sample preparation or as a rinsing solution. This formulation complies with the Harmonized USP/EP/JP. -
Columbia Agar is a nutritious general-purpose basal medium capable of supporting the growth of most micro-organisms, including many fastidious organisms that do not require blood. However when further enriched with Sterile Blood, which can be “chocolated” if required, the medium is generally used for the isolation of most clinically significant pathogens. The medium can be made selective for various groups of organisms by the addition of a range of antimicrobial supplements. This formulation complies with the Harmonized USP/EP/JP. -
BM0110 Cooked Meat with Brain Heart Infusion Broth Overlay is suitable for recovery, isolation, and storage of the most fastidious anaerobes, such as Clostridium species as well as many aerobes. Cooked Meat Medium prepared from heart tissue is a well-established medium for the cultivation of anaerobic and aerobic organisms. Cooked Meat with Brain Heart Infusion Broth Overlay has been shown to initiate bacterial growth from very small innocua and to maintain the viability of cultures over long periods of time; it is especially useful in culturing from blood samples. Mixed cultures of bacteria survive without displacing the slower growing organisms. The products of growth do not rapidly destroy the inoculated organisms and therefore it is an excellent medium for the storage of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. -
For in vitro diagnostic use. BM2250 Cooked Meat with Fastidious Anaerobic Broth Overlay is designed for the culture of fastidious anaerobes, particularly Bacteroides and Clostridium species. Fastidious Anaerobe Broth is formulated from a range of nutrients which have been selected to optimise the recovery and growth of most anaerobic organisms of clinical importance. The nutritious formulation also allows growth from a small initial inoculum which can be important for clinical specimens. Anaerobic bacteria can infect deep wounds, tissue, and internal organs where there is little oxygen after injury or surgery. Infection by anaerobic bacteria is normally characterized by formation of abscesses, foul smelling discharge, pus, and free gas in tissue, leading to tissue degradation. BM2250 is recommended as part of the clinical process for the investigation of these infections (1). BM2250 is also used to cultivate and maintain anaerobic bacteria especially Bacteroides and Clostridium spp. It can differentiate saccharolytic from proteolytic strains. Proteolytic organisms cause degradation of the meat granules and blackening of the meat surface. -
This is a defined medium primarily for the cultivation of fungi and bacteria that are capable of utilising Sodium Nitrate as their sole source of Nitrogen. If made more acidic by adjusting to pH 3.5 it can also be used for isolation of yeasts. It has also been used for the identification of Candida albicans by chlamydospore production. -
For in vitro diagnostic use. BM0655 Distilled Water can be used in the preparation of bacterial suspensions and as a diluent in areas of the laboratory. Distilled Water is manufactured from the distillation of deionised water. During this process almost all the impurities in the water are removed and this is why distilled water is chosen for specific laboratory applications. -
Legionellae are more resistant to lower pH and brief exposure to higher temperatures than many other freshwater bacteria. For some water samples with high concentrations of bacteria, it is necessary to use a selective procedure to reduce the number of non-Legionella bacteria before culture. Acid treatment and heating of samples are routinely used for this purpose and to aid antigen extraction. The use of this buffer is recommended in the International Standard ISO 11731-2 "Water quality-Detection and enumeration of Legionella" for this purpose. -
BM0160 Fastidious Anaerobe Broth is designed for the culture of fastidious anaerobes, particularly Bacteroides species, and is also suitable for use as an anaerobic blood culture medium. BM0160 is recommended by the UK Standards for Microbiology Investigations and is formulated and tested in compliance with the principals of ISO 11133:2014. Peptone and yeast extract supply the required carbon, nitrogen, and vitamins. Haemin, vitamin K, L-arginine, and L-cysteine HCl are additional growth factors required by some anaerobes. Sodium thioglycolate and L-cysteine HCl help lower the pH of the medium to maintain anaerobicity and starch and sodium hydrogen carbonate help neutralise toxins. The increased viscosity produced by addition of agar helps prevent oxygen diffusion in the final medium. Resazurin is a redox indicator and sodium chloride maintains the osmotic balance.
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A medium designed for optimum growth of anaerobes, particularly the fastidious organisms, it is generally used as an enrichment broth and can be used as a Blood Culture Medium. The growth factors Vitamin K, Haemin and L-Cysteine are included in the medium to assist those anaerobes that require them. L-Cysteine together with Sodium Thioglycollate reduces the ph of the medium and the Agar is present to reduce the absorption of Oxygen and convection currents. The redox indicator Resazurin is also present. The addition of glass beads will allow for the maceration of the sample and aid the homogenisation of the suspension. -
This broth is used to aid the rinsing of the membrane filter apparatus when performing sterility testing. This formulation complies with the United States Pharmacopoeia. -
This broth is used to aid the rinsing of the membrane filter apparatus when performing sterility testing. Fluid D has been formulated with the addition of polysorbate 80 to enable the rinsing of products containing lecithin or oil. This formulation complies with the Harmonised USP/EP/JP.
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This is a chemical complex which should be used in conjunction with BM0945 Muller – Kauffmann Tetrathionate Broth Base. It is recommended that the complex is used as a 2% solution with the base media and should be only added on the day of use. -
Luria Bertani broth (LB Broth) is a nutrient broth primarily used for the growth and maintenance of Escherichia coli. Used as the primary propagation step for donor or recipient cells, when further work is to be performed on LB Agar. -
Malt Extract Agar is a medium for the isolation of many yeasts and moulds. The low pH inhibits most bacteria and further selectivity can be achieved by lowering the pH even more by adding lactic acid to the molten cooled, medium. This formulation is customer specific with a request for an additional 5g/L of agar from the customer. It should be noted that excess heating of the medium could result in hydrolysis of the agar resulting in softening of the agar.
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Malt Extract Agar (pH 5.6) is recommended for the detection and isolation and enumeration of yeasts and moulds (1). The medium is also used in the testing of foods and various materials and for the cultivation of the strains for microbiological vitamin assays. Malt Extract Agar (pH 5.6) has been used to cultivate fungi and yeast cultures in the sugar industry, in the manufacturing of syrups, soft drinks, and foods.
This medium meets the requirements of The British Standards Institution (2).
References- Galloway, L. and Burgess, R. (1952) Applied Mycology and Bacteriology, Leonard Hill, London. Thom and Church, 1926. The Aspergilli.
- The British Standards Institution (2015) BS EN 16615:2015 Chemical disinfectants and antiseptics. Quantitative test method for the evaluation of bactericidal and yeasticidal activity on non-porous surfaces with mechanical action employing wipes in the medical area (4- field test). Test method and requirements (phase 2, step 2). Published by BSI Standards Limited.
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BM0370 Selenite Mannitol Broth is a selective enrichment medium used for the isolation of Salmonella species from clinical, food and environmental specimens. Following overnight incubation subculture(s) are usually made on to one or more of the many selective enteric solid media. Selenite Mannitol Broth is recommended for the enrichment of Salmonella species from faecal specimens in UK SMI S7 for the investigation of gastroenteritis. -
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 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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BM8200 Non-acidified Glycerol Lowenstein Jensen Medium is an egg-based medium for the isolation and presumptive identification of Mycobacterium spp., particularly Mycobacterium tuberculosis. BM8200 Non-acidified Glycerol Lowenstein Jensen Medium is designed for use with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) treated specimens that have been neutralised using known buffering solutions to achieve a pH of 6.8 to 7.0 and which are inoculated directly onto the LJ medium after concentration by centrifugation. This medium will isolate most common mycobacteria including M. tuberculosis and can be used for the presumptive identification of mycobacterial infections, testing antibiotic susceptibility of isolates, and differentiating different species of Mycobacterium (by colony morphology, growth rate, biochemical characteristics, and microscopy). BM8200 is recommended by the UK Standards for Microbiology Investigations. NB: This media will not isolate wild strains of M. bovis, which requires the addition of pyruvate as a growth supplement. This is normally overcome by the inclusion of a pyruvate slope such as E&O BM8300 Non-acidified Lowenstein Jensen Pyruvate Medium. -
BM8300 Non-acidified Lowenstein Jensen Pyruvate Medium is an egg-based medium for the isolation and presumptive identification of Mycobacterium spp., particularly Mycobacterium bovis. BM8300 Non-acidified Lowenstein Jensen Pyruvate Medium is designed for use with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) treated samples which have been 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 differs from E&O BM8200 Non-acidified Glycerol Lowenstein Jensen Medium in that sodium pyruvate has replaced the glycerol, which has been demonstrated to be inhibitory to some species, particularly M. bovis. BM8300 is recommended by the UK Standards for Microbiology Investigations and tested in accordance with the principals of ISO 11133:2014. The medium contains an egg emulsion which provides the required protein and fatty acids. Sodium pyruvate is included as an alternate to glycerol to allow favourable growth of M. bovis. The coagulation of the egg albumin during preparation also provides a solid surface for inoculation purposes. Malachite green and penicillin G are incorporated into the medium to inhibit contaminating organisms other than the mycobacteria that may still be present in the specimen in the specimen after decontamination. Lowenstein-Jensen slopes should be inoculated with pre-treated specimens and incubated at 36 ± 1°C for 8 weeks, checking weekly for growth. Further incubation up to 12 weeks may be required for certain Mycobacterium species. -
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. -
BM0550 Nutrient Broth is a basic general-purpose medium suitable for use in the cultivation of the less fastidious organisms. Nutrient broth is based on the recipe for Nutrient Agar, which was first described by the American Public Health Association (APHA) in 1917 as a medium to cultivate a wide variety of organisms. Although, a basic general-purpose medium, this medium can be enriched with other ingredients such as blood, serum, sodium chloride, sugars, etc., for special purposes. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
BM1359 Phosphate Buffer (0.067M) is a standard biochemical reagent suitable for a variety of uses, primarily the neutralisation of sterilised sputum samples, and is recommended by the UK Standards for Microbiology Investigations for the investigation of specimens for Mycobacterium species. -
Based on the formulation of Dulbecco Solution ‘A’ this balanced salt solution is intended for use primarily in Tissue Culture techniques. It can be used either on its own or with the addition of Calcium and Magnesium salts (Dulbecco Solution B). -
Originally intended for use in surface counting and pour plating techniques this medium can be used as a general purpose medium for the cultivation of most organisms particularly those that are less fastidious in their nutritional requirements. Can also be used as a maintenance medium for stock cultures. -
This buffer is intended primarily for use as a neutralising agent following treatment with alkaline compounds during the decontamination and homogenisation process of Sputum specimens prior to inoculation onto appropriate culture media for the isolation of Mycobacterium spp. -
This medium is recommended for the detection and enumeration of yeasts and moulds in food and dairy products. It can also be used for the cultivation of fungi although with the prolonged incubation necessary cultures may become overgrown by bacteria. The low pH (5.6) suppresses the growth of most bacteria and the low mineral content ensures good pigment production by fungi where appropriate.
