NWRI Agar (HPCA) for Heterotrophic Plate Count

NWRI Agar, also known as HPC Agar (HPCA Medium), is a dehydrated culture medium formulated for the enumeration of heterotrophic microorganisms in water samples. It is commonly used in drinking water testing, bottled water analysis, environmental water monitoring, and laboratory quality control.

This medium provides balanced nutrients to support the growth of a wide range of heterotrophic bacteria while maintaining controlled colony development for accurate counting.

⚠ For laboratory research and industrial testing use only. Not for clinical or therapeutic applications.

🔬 Intended Use

• Heterotrophic Plate Count (HPC) testing

• Drinking water and bottled water microbiology

• Environmental and industrial water monitoring

• Routine laboratory quality control

📦 Product Specifications

• Physical Form: Dehydrated powder

• Package Size: 250 g / bottle

• Storage Condition: Room temperature (RT)

• Shelf Life: 3 years

🧬 Medium Composition (per liter)

• Peptone …………………………………. 3.0 g

• Soluble Casein ………………………. 0.5 g

• Dipotassium Phosphate (K₂HPO₄) …. 0.2 g

• Magnesium Sulfate (MgSO₄) ……… 0.05 g

• Ferric Chloride (FeCl₃) ……………… 0.001 g

• Agar …………………………………………. 15.0 g

Final pH: 7.2 ± 0.2 (at 25 °C)

⚗️ Preparation Instructions

1. Suspend 18.8 g of dehydrated medium in 1 L of purified or deionized water

2. Heat to boiling with gentle stirring until completely dissolved

3. Dispense into appropriate containers

4. Sterilize using one of the following methods:

   • 121 °C for 15 minutes, or

   • 115 °C for 30 minutes

5. After sterilization, gently mix to prevent agar sedimentation before solidification

6. Allow to cool and solidify for use