Product Overview
This Blood Agar Plate is a ready-to-use, enriched differential medium designed for the cultivation of fastidious microorganisms and the detection of hemolytic reactions. The base medium is a nutritious peptone and beef extract formulation solidified with agar, to which 5–10% sterile defibrinated sheep blood is added.
The addition of blood provides essential growth factors and nutrients that support the cultivation of fastidious organisms that may not grow on general-purpose media. More importantly, blood agar is the standard medium for observing hemolysis — the breakdown of red blood cells by bacterial enzymes — which is a key diagnostic characteristic used in the presumptive identification of many clinically and industrially important bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus species, and Listeria monocytogenes.
The 90mm format is suitable for streaking and isolation procedures, and the triple vacuum packaging allows safe transfer into controlled environments.
Intended Use
- Detection and differentiation of hemolytic reactions (alpha, beta, gamma hemolysis).
- Cultivation of fastidious bacteria requiring enriched media.
- Isolation and presumptive identification of Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Listeria species.
- Microbiological examination of clinical, food, and environmental samples.
- Educational and research laboratory use.
Composition (per Liter of Base Medium)
- Peptone: 10.0 g
- Beef Extract: 3.0 g
- Sodium Chloride: 5.0 g
- Agar: 15.0 g
- Distilled Water: 1,000 mL
- Final pH: 7.3 ± 0.1 at 25°C
- Supplement: 5–10 mL sterile defibrinated sheep blood per 100 mL of medium
Performance Characteristics
- Appearance: Blood red, smooth surface, free from cracks, visible impurities, and bubbles.
- Physicochemical: pH compliant; gel strength 500–650 g/cm².
- Sterility: No growth after incubation at 20–25°C for 3 days and 30–35°C for 2 days.
- Water Retention: No visible shrinkage after 4 hours of open exposure in moving air.
- Growth Promotion: Validated for robust growth with typical colony size and morphology for Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, and alpha-hemolytic Streptococcus.
Interpretation of Hemolysis
- Beta hemolysis: Complete clearing of red blood cells around colonies (e.g., Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes).
- Alpha hemolysis: Partial lysis with greenish discoloration around colonies (e.g., Streptococcus pneumoniae).
- Gamma hemolysis: No hemolysis; the medium remains unchanged around colonies (e.g., Enterococcus faecalis).
Packaging and Storage
- Format: 90mm × 10 plates per pack.
- Fill Volume: 20–25 mL per plate.
- Packaging: Three-layer vacuum packaging for controlled environment transfer.
- Shelf Life: 90 days from date of manufacture.
- Storage: Store at 2–8°C, protected from light. Do not freeze.
