Pseudomonas Cepacia Agar Base (Burkholderia cepacia Agar Base) – Selective Medium for Burkholderia cepacia Isolation (250g)

Pseudomonas Cepacia Agar Base (PC Agar Base) is a selective culture medium designed for the isolation and differentiation of Burkholderia cepacia (formerly known as Pseudomonas cepacia) from clinical and environmental samples.

For complete selectivity, the medium must be supplemented with:

• Polymyxin B solution

• Hydroxythienylpenicillin solution

• Gentamicin solution

This medium is widely used in clinical microbiology, pharmaceutical testing, and environmental monitoring laboratories, particularly for detecting B. cepacia in respiratory samples and pharmaceutical products.

Complete Formula (per liter):

• Sodium Pyruvate: 7.0 g

• Peptone: 5.0 g

• Potassium Dihydrogen Phosphate (KH₂PO₄): 4.4 g

• Yeast Extract: 4.0 g

• Bile Salts: 1.5 g

• Disodium Hydrogen Phosphate (Na₂HPO₄): 1.4 g

• Ammonium Sulfate ((NH₄)₂SO₄): 1.0 g

• Magnesium Sulfate (MgSO₄): 0.2 g

• Phenol Red: 0.02 g

• Ferrous Ammonium Sulfate [Fe(NH₄)₂(SO₄)₂·6H₂O]: 0.01 g

• Crystal Violet: 0.001 g

• Agar: 12.0 g

• Final pH: 6.2 ± 0.2 (25°C)

Preparation & Instructions:

1. Suspend 36.5 g of the medium in 1 L distilled or deionized water.

2. Heat with constant stirring until completely dissolved, then boil briefly.

3. Dispense into suitable containers.

4. Sterilize by autoclaving at 121°C for 15 minutes. Shake well after sterilization to avoid precipitation.

5. Cool to 50–55°C.

6. Under aseptic conditions, supplement every 100 ml of medium with:

   • 1 vial Polymyxin B solution

   • 1 vial Hydroxythienylpenicillin solution

   • 1 vial Gentamicin solution