Brain Heart Extraction Agar (BHIA) – Enrichment Medium for Enterococci and General Bacterial Culture

Brain Heart Extraction Agar (BHIA) is a highly nutritious medium designed for the cultivation and verification of enterococci, while also supporting the growth of a broad spectrum of bacteria. Due to its rich composition derived from animal tissues, BHIA is widely applied in clinical, food, and water microbiology laboratories.

Composition (per liter):

• Calf Brains, infusion from 200 g – 7.7 g

• Beef Heart, infusion from 250 g – 9.8 g

• Proteose Peptone – 10.0 g

• Dextrose – 2.0 g

• Sodium Chloride – 5.0 g

• Disodium Hydrogen Phosphate – 2.5 g

• Agar – 15.0 g

• Final pH: 7.4 ± 0.2 (at 25℃)

Preparation Instructions:

1. Suspend 52.0 g of the dehydrated medium in 1 liter of distilled or deionized water.

2. Heat with stirring until completely dissolved.

3. Dispense into suitable containers.

4. Sterilize by autoclaving at 121℃ for 15 minutes.

5. Allow to cool before use.

Storage:
Store in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dry place. Shelf life: 3 years.

Applications:

• Verification of enterococci

• Cultivation of a wide range of bacteria

• Clinical diagnostics, food safety testing, and environmental microbiology