Hi-Media Blood Agar Base (Infusion Agar) 500gm

HiMedia Blood Agar Base is a highly nutritious general-purpose medium, ideal for the isolation and cultivation of fastidious pathogenic microorganisms such as Neisseria, Streptococci, and other clinical or non-clinical specimens when supplemented with sterile blood. This basal medium provides essential growth factors and can also be used without blood for general bacterial culture.

Composition (g/L)

• HM Peptone B# – 10.0 g (Equivalent to Beef Heart Peptone)

• Tryptose – 10.0 g

• Sodium Chloride – 5.0 g

• Agar – 15.0 g

• Final pH (25°C): 7.3 ± 0.2

Formula adjusted and standardized to suit performance parameters.

Directions for Use

1. Suspend 40 g of Blood Agar Base in 1 L of purified or distilled water.

2. Heat to boiling to dissolve completely.

3. Sterilize by autoclaving at 121°C (15 psi) for 15 minutes.

4. Cool to 45–50°C, aseptically add 5% v/v sterile defibrinated blood, mix gently.

5. Pour into sterile Petri dishes and allow to solidify.

Principle and Applications

• Blood Agar Base serves as a basal medium for preparing blood agar by supplementation with blood.

• Can also be used as a general-purpose culture medium without blood.

• Supports growth of fastidious microorganisms due to HM Peptone B and Tryptose providing carbon, nitrogen, amino acids, and vitamins.

• Sodium chloride maintains osmotic equilibrium.

• Blood enrichment allows visualization of hemolytic reactions, important for differentiating organisms.

• Used in food testing, detection of phosphate-producing Staphylococci, preparation of Salmonella Typhi antigens, and assessment of bacterial contamination.

• Recommended by APHA and Standard Methods for testing food and clinical samples.

Note: Hemolytic reactions depend on the type of blood used. Sheep blood is ideal for Group A Streptococci, while horse blood supports Haemophilus haemolyticus.

Specimen Types

• Clinical: Throat swabs, vaginal secretions, and other pathological samples

• Food: Raw and processed food samples

Specimen Handling: Follow standard clinical and laboratory guidelines. Autoclave all contaminated material before disposal.