15-30°C

//15-30°C
  • 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.
  • This is a variation on sterile isotonic Saline which is suitable for use in preparation of food samples and/or as a rinse during examination of equipment etc. prior to culture. It can also be used as a general purpose diluent in many areas of the laboratory. The addition of glass beads will allow dense material to be broken down and aid the isolation of any bacteria that may be present in “clumps”.
  • 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. NB: Organisms that produce large amounts of acid in the medium may overwhelm the buffering system and as a result ‘auto-sterilise’ the culture.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • A pre-enrichment medium designed to help sub-lethally damaged Salmonella spp. recover before introducing them into a selective medium. This non-selective, nutritious medium is free from inhibitors and is well buffered to maintain the pH at 7.0 for the incubation period according to ISO 6579 (2002).
  • 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.
  • BM0090

    Columbia Agar

    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.
  • Prepared from Minced Meat granules overlaid with Fastidious Anaerobe Broth this medium is suitable for the recovery, isolation and storage of the most fastidious anaerobes and is possibly one of the best variations of Cooked Meat Medium available. Fastidious Anaerobe Broth is designed for optimum growth of all anaerobes, with the growth factors Vitamin K, Haemin and L-Cysteine included in the medium to assist those anaerobes that require them. L-Cysteine together with Sodium Thioglycollate is also present to reduce the ph of the medium and a small amount of Agar to reduce the absorption of Oxygen and convection currents. The redox indicator Resazurin is also present.  If immediately before use a narrow band of reddish/purple is apparent at the surface of the broth this does not indicate that the medium is unsuitable for use. This is due to the action of oxygen on the redox indicator and the medium should be placed in a boiling water bath, with the cap loosened, for about 15 minutes to remove dissolved oxygen. Immediately on removal from the water bath the cap should be tightened and the medium allowed to cool without agitation.
  • Prepared from Minced Meat granules overlaid with Brain Heart Infusion Broth this medium is suitable for recovery, isolation and storage of the most fastidious anaerobes as well as many aerobes.
  • 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.
  • All E&O products are for in vitro use only. E&O products are intended only for use by qualified professionals who will safely handle and dispose of products they receive. All biologically derived materials (e.g. blood, sera) should be handled as if a potential biohazard. E&O media that contain antibiotics should be handled with care. Chemical resistant gloves, eye protection and laboratory coat should be worn.
  • All E&O products are for in vitro use only. E&O products are intended only for use by qualified professionals who will safely handle and dispose of products they receive. All biologically derived materials (e.g. blood, sera) should be handled as if a potential biohazard. E&O media that contain antibiotics should be handled with care. Chemical resistant gloves, eye protection and laboratory coat should be worn.
  • 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.
  •  For in vitro diagnostic use. BM1682 Faecal Transport Solution is recommended for the transport of clinical specimens, especially those associated with enteric pathogens (1). This formulation allows for transport at chilled or ambient temperatures.

    BM1682 Faecal Transport Solution is a modified Cary Blair Transport Medium (2), designed for the transportation and preservation of clinical specimens, primarily stool and rectal swabs. The product is designed to maintain the viability of enteric bacterial pathogens during transport and subsequent storage at chilled or ambient temperatures.

    Faecal Transport Solution is an isotonic, buffered, and nonnutritive medium with a carefully balanced composition. It includes agar to help reduce oxygen diffusion, sodium thioglycolate to impede oxidation, and disodium phosphate to help maintain pH. The relatively high pH of the medium helps to minimises overgrowth of non-target organisms and prevent acid formation in the specimen. References

    1. CLSI M40-A2. (2014). Quality control of microbiological transport systems; Approved standard – _second edition. CLSI document M40-A2. Wayne, PA: Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. 2. Cary, S.G. and Blair, E.B. (1964). New Transport Medium for Shipment of Clinical Specimens. J. Bact, 88:96-98.

  • 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.
  • BM0756

    Fluid A (USP)

    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.
  • BM0757

    Fluid D (USP)

    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.
  • 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.
  • Selenite Mannitol Broth is an alternative to Selenite F Broth for the selective enrichment of Salmonellae spp from Clinical, Food and Environmental specimens. Based on Buffered Mannitol Broth, it is made selective by the addition of Sodium Biselenite. The fermentation of Mannitol by Salmonellae 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • BM0540

    Nutrient Agar

    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 general-purpose medium for the cultivation of organisms that are less fastidious in their nutritional requirements.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • BM0300

    Peptone Water

    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.
  • A standard biochemical reagent suitable for a variety of uses, primarily the preparation of serial dilutions.
  • 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.