BD 221742 - BBL Fluid Thioglycollate Medium (FTM), Sterility Testing and Microbial Growth Medium
The BD 221742 - BD BBL Fluid Thioglycollate Medium (FTM) is a highly reliable culture medium formulated for detecting and supporting the growth of aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms in sterility testing and microbial recovery applications. Manufactured by Becton Dickinson (BD) under the BBL brand, this medium is widely used in pharmaceutical, clinical, and industrial microbiology laboratories to assess product sterility and evaluate microbial contamination in sterile pharmaceutical preparations, biological products, and medical devices.
The medium contains casein and yeast extract to support robust microbial growth, while sodium thioglycollate acts as a reducing agent that maintains an oxygen gradient, allowing simultaneous growth of aerobic organisms at the top and anaerobic organisms deeper within the medium. The inclusion of resazurin serves as an oxidation-reduction indicator, changing color from colorless (reduced) to pink (oxidized) when exposed to oxygen.
Key Benefits
The BD BBL Fluid Thioglycollate Medium provides high sensitivity and reliability in sterility testing environments. Its primary benefits include:
- Dual growth support: Cultivates both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria in a single medium, ideal for broad-spectrum microbial detection.
- Oxygen gradient system: The reducing agent maintains differential oxygen zones for accurate microorganism recovery.
- Reliable sterility testing: Commonly used for sterility checks in injectable pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and culture validation.
- Clear visual indicator: Resazurin dye provides immediate feedback on oxygen exposure and medium viability.
- High-quality formulation: Consistent batch-to-batch performance ensures dependable results in regulated testing environments.
Compatibility and Applications
The BD 221742 Fluid Thioglycollate Medium is compatible with a wide range of sterility testing systems and incubation conditions. It is used in:
- Pharmaceutical sterility testing: Detection of aerobic and anaerobic contaminants in sterile drug products and medical devices.
- Clinical laboratories: Cultivation of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria for diagnostic identification.
- Industrial microbiology: Quality control testing in aseptic manufacturing environments.
- Microbial validation studies: Assessment of culture growth-promoting properties for sterility assurance.
It is suitable for use in accordance with USP, EP, and JP pharmacopeial sterility testing requirements.
Usage Guidelines
Before inoculation, examine the medium for color and clarity; discard if excessive turbidity or contamination is present. Using aseptic technique, introduce the test specimen into the BD BBL Fluid Thioglycollate Medium. For sterility testing, incubate at 3035C for up to 14 days, observing regularly for turbidity or microbial growth. Aerobic organisms typically grow near the surface, while anaerobic organisms grow deeper in the tube or bottle. A small amount of pink coloration at the surface (due to resazurin oxidation) is acceptable. Do not agitate the medium before use, as this introduces oxygen that may inhibit anaerobic growth.
Certifications, Safety Standards, and Regulatory Approvals
The BD Fluid Thioglycollate Medium complies with global pharmacopeial standards, including USP <71> (Sterility Tests), EP 2.6.1, and JP 4.06. It is manufactured under ISO 13485:2016-certified quality management systems and CE-marked for in vitro diagnostic (IVD) use. Each lot is rigorously tested for pH (7.1 0.2 at 25C), sterility, and growth promotion using standard reference organisms such as Clostridium sporogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. BDs stringent manufacturing standards guarantee compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for pharmaceutical testing media.
Comparison with Competitor Products
Compared to generic thioglycollate media, the BD BBL Fluid Thioglycollate Medium provides superior oxygen diffusion control and reproducible growth performance. Competitor media often exhibit inconsistent redox potential or variable anaerobic recovery rates. BDs precision formulation and oxygen indicator system deliver consistent, high-quality results across multiple testing environments. The clarity, homogeneity, and batch consistency of BDs media ensure reliable microbial growth patterns that meet pharmacopeial validation requirements.
Typical User Profile and Application Scenarios
This product is used by microbiologists, quality control analysts, and laboratory technicians in various testing environments. Typical application scenarios include:
- Routine sterility testing of parenteral pharmaceuticals and sterile medical devices.
- Environmental monitoring and contamination testing in aseptic production facilities.
- Clinical detection of mixed aerobic and anaerobic infections.
- Growth promotion and media validation in regulated laboratories.
Its versatility and compliance with global standards make it a cornerstone medium in sterility and quality assurance laboratories.
Best Practices for Use and Maintenance
Store BD BBL Fluid Thioglycollate Medium at 225C, protected from direct light. Avoid freezing or prolonged exposure to high temperatures. Keep the container tightly closed to prevent oxygen infiltration. Prior to use, ensure the resazurin indicator is pale pink or colorless, confirming proper oxygen reduction. Do not use expired or contaminated media. After testing, dispose of all used media in accordance with institutional biosafety and hazardous waste regulations.
Regulatory and Safety Information
The BD 221742 - BD BBL Fluid Thioglycollate Medium is an FDA-cleared and CE-marked in vitro diagnostic product for professional laboratory use. It is non-toxic, non-hazardous, and manufactured with biocompatible ingredients. The product meets USP, EP, and ISO standards for microbiological culture media. A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is available from BD upon request, detailing composition, handling, and disposal information. Always use aseptic technique and appropriate PPE when handling microbial cultures or inoculated media.
How to Order
To order the BD 221742 - BD BBL Fluid Thioglycollate Medium, add the item to your cart and complete checkout through CIA Medical. We offer competitive pricing, rapid delivery, and expert customer support for clinical, pharmaceutical, and industrial laboratories. For bulk purchases, growth promotion test data, or technical documentation, contact CIA Medicals customer service team at (312) 275-5850 or use the contact form on this page. Our representatives can assist with product availability, lot certifications, and compliance documentation.
