ESCULIN AGAR

Technical Data #2418a / 2002.10.11

Esculin Agar is a solid test medium used for microorganisms identification by their ability to hydrolyze the glycoside esculin to esculetin. Bacteroides sp may be differentiated as well as Pseudomonas sp.

FORMULA
in grams per liter purified filtered water

Gelatin Peptone	5,0
Beef Extract	3,0
Esculin	1,0
Ferric Citrate	0,5
Agar	15,0

pH 7,0 +/- 0,2 at 25º C

This approximate formula may be adjusted and/or enriched to obtain best results.

PRECAUTIONS
This medium is for laboratory use only.

STORAGE
Store prepared media at 2-8º C protected from direct light.

SIGN OF DETERIORATION
Media should not be used if the expiry date has passed. Prepared media should not be used if there are signs of contamination or deterioration (shrinking, cracking, evaporation or discoloration).

DIRECTIONS
Suspend 24.5 g of dehydrated media in 1000 ml of purified filtered water. Heat with frequent agitation and boil for one minute. Sterilize at 121º C for 15 minutes. Cool to 45-50º C. Mix gently and dispense into sterile Petri dishes or sterile culture tubes.

PROCEDURE
Prior to inoculate, the prepared media should be brought to room temperature.

1. Inoculate plates or tubes with 2-3 similar colonies to be
2. Incubate at 35º C for 24-48 hours.
3. Examine for blacknening of the medium.

QUALITY CONTROL
Results after 24 hrs at 35ºC

Organisms	ATCC	Esculin Hydrolyze
Pseudomonas aeruginosa	27853	-
Burkholderia cepacia	25416	+
Klebsiella pneumoniae	13883	+
Escherichia coli	25922	-
Bacteroides fragilis	25285	+

LIMITATIONS OF METHOD
This medium is only a part of the identification. Other tests may be required.

REFERENCES

1. Dowell, V.R. Jr., G.L. Lombard 1977 Presumptive identification of anaerobic nonsporeforming gram-negative bacilli. Center for Disease Control Atlanta.
2. Lennette, E.H., Ballows, A., Hausler, W.J.Jr., and Shadomy, H.J. Manual of Clinical Microbiology. 4th ed. 1985 Washington D.C.: American society for Microbiology.
3. Mac Faddin, Jean F., Media for Isolation-Cultivation-Identification-Maintenance of Medical Bacteria Vol.1 1985 Baltimore, MD. Williams & Wilkins.
4. Washington, J.A. Laboratory Procedures in Clinical Microbiology 1981. Springer-Verlag, New York.

CATALOGUE NUMBERS

Dehydrated media	500 g	QB-39-2190
Prepared media
Tubes, 16x125 mm, 5 ml	10/pkg	2418
Tubes, 13x100mm, 2ml	10/pkg	2074

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