BD 221284 - BBL Prepared XLD Agar Plates, 500g Selective Differential Medium for Enteric Pathogen Isolation, 100/PK

BD 221284 - BBL Prepared XLD Agar Plates, 500g Selective Differential Medium for Enteric Pathogen Isolation, 100/PK

The BD 221284 BBL Prepared XLD Agar Plates are high-quality, ready-to-use culture plates formulated with Xylose Lysine Deoxycholate (XLD) agar for the selective and differential isolation of enteric pathogens, particularly Salmonella and Shigella species. This medium is a standard in clinical and public health laboratories due to its ability to suppress non-pathogenic flora while enabling clear differentiation based on colony color, hydrogen sulfide production, and sugar fermentation patterns. BDs precision manufacturing ensures consistent plate quality, uniform agar depth, and reliable performance across diagnostic workflows.

Key Benefits

These prepared XLD agar plates support rapid and accurate detection of pathogenic enteric organisms through distinct colony morphology. The medium contains carefully balanced inhibitors that suppress Gram-positive bacteria and many non-pathogenic enterics, enhancing recovery of target organisms. BDs ready-to-use format eliminates in-house media preparation, reducing labor time, contamination risk, and variability between batches, while supporting efficient, standardized laboratory operations.

Compatibility and Applications

BD XLD Agar Plates are compatible with routine streaking techniques and standard incubation conditions. They are widely used for:

• Isolation of Salmonella from stool, water, food, and environmental samples
• Differentiation of Shigella from other Gram-negative enterics
• Food safety and HACCP testing
• Public health surveillance programs
• Clinical microbiology workflows evaluating gastrointestinal infection

Typical colony appearances include:

• Salmonella: red colonies with black centers (H₂S production)
• Shigella: red colonies without black centers
• Coliforms: yellow colonies due to lactose fermentation

Usage Guidelines

Inoculate the plate with a purified colony or directly from specimen-enriched cultures using aseptic technique. Incubate at 3537C for 1824 hours. Examine colony color, morphology, and blackening patterns for presumptive identification. Confirmatory biochemical or serological testing may be required. Store plates at 28C in the original sleeve and avoid light exposure to maintain medium integrity.

Certifications, Safety Standards, and Regulatory Approvals

BD XLD agar plates are produced in ISO 9001 and ISO 13485 certified facilities and comply with FDA and CE requirements for in vitro diagnostic (IVD) use. Every batch is tested for sterility, selectivity, pH, inhibitory balance, and expected chromogenic reactions using reference control organisms.

Comparison with Competitor Products

BD BBL XLD plates offer superior consistency, sharper colony contrast, and more reliable pathogen recovery compared with generic alternatives. Competitor media may exhibit weaker inhibition of background flora or inconsistent color development, complicating interpretation. BDs optimized formulation ensures clearer differentiation and dependable performance across high-volume labs.

Typical User Profile and Application Scenarios

These plates are commonly used by:

• Clinical microbiologists investigating gastrointestinal infections
• Food safety and quality-control laboratories
• Public health and reference laboratories
• Environmental microbiology teams monitoring water or surface contamination
• Academic labs teaching selective/differential media principles

Best Practices for Use and Maintenance

Allow plates to reach room temperature before inoculation to prevent condensation. Avoid drying by keeping plates sealed until use. Examine plates for dehydration, contamination, or cracking before testing. Do not stack plates too tightly in incubators; ensure adequate airflow for even incubation. Dispose of used plates according to institutional biohazard procedures.

Regulatory and Safety Information

Intended for in vitro diagnostic use by trained laboratory personnel. Handle specimens and cultures following biosafety level 2 guidelines. Wear gloves, lab coats, and protective equipment to avoid exposure to potentially pathogenic organisms. Dispose of all materials as regulated biohazard waste.

How to Order

To order BD 221284 BBL Prepared XLD Agar Plates, add the product to your cart and complete checkout through CIA Medicals secure ordering portal. For bulk requests, laboratory contracts, or technical support, contact CIA Medical customer service at (312) 275-5850 or submit an inquiry using the form on this page.