BD 236950 - Difco Tryptic Soy Agar, 500 g Bottle, General-Purpose Culture Medium for Bacterial Growth, EA
The BD 236950 - BD Difco Tryptic Soy Agar (TSA) is a high-quality, general-purpose culture medium widely used for the isolation, cultivation, and maintenance of a broad spectrum of microorganisms. Manufactured by Becton Dickinson (BD) under the Difco brand, this 500 g bottle of dehydrated agar serves as a reliable formulation for both clinical and industrial microbiology applications. Tryptic Soy Agar supports the growth of aerobic and facultative anaerobic bacteria, fungi, and yeasts, making it a standard medium in research, diagnostic, and quality control laboratories.
Composed of enzymatic digests of casein and soybean meal, TSA provides essential amino acids, nitrogen compounds, vitamins, and minerals. Its balanced nutrient profile makes it ideal for routine culture work and microbial enumeration in pharmaceutical, food, environmental, and medical testing.
Key Benefits
BD Difco Tryptic Soy Agar delivers consistency, versatility, and reproducibility across a wide range of microbiological procedures. Key advantages include:
- Broad-spectrum support: Promotes luxuriant growth of both fastidious and non-fastidious microorganisms.
- High clarity and consistency: Produces clear, uniform plates with well-defined colony morphology for easy interpretation.
- Versatile use: Suitable for general culture maintenance, sterility testing, and microbial recovery from environmental samples.
- Reliable quality: Manufactured under strict quality control for consistent nutrient composition and performance.
- Convenient format: Dehydrated 500 g bottle allows preparation of customized media volumes as needed.
Compatibility and Applications
The BD 236950 Tryptic Soy Agar is compatible with standard microbiological workflows and supports a variety of testing applications, including:
- Isolation and enumeration of bacteria in clinical samples.
- Environmental and surface monitoring in cleanroom or sterile facilities.
- Microbial limit testing in pharmaceutical and cosmetic manufacturing.
- Quality control in food and beverage microbiology.
- Maintenance of stock cultures for long-term preservation.
TSA is also a recommended base medium for the preparation of enriched agars such as Blood Agar when supplemented with 5% defibrinated sheep blood.
Usage Guidelines
To prepare the medium, suspend 40 g of BD Difco Tryptic Soy Agar powder in 1 liter of purified water. Heat with frequent agitation and boil for 1 minute to completely dissolve the medium. Autoclave at 121C for 15 minutes. Cool to 4550C before pouring into sterile Petri dishes or slants. Once solidified, inoculate the agar surface with the test organism and incubate at 3537C for 1848 hours, depending on organism type. Store prepared plates at 28C and use within the recommended shelf life.
Certifications, Safety Standards, and Regulatory Approvals
The BD Difco Tryptic Soy Agar is produced under ISO 13485:2016-certified quality systems and complies with FDA, CE, and ISO 11133 standards for microbiological culture media. It meets USP, EP, and JP specifications for general-purpose media used in microbial testing. Each batch undergoes stringent performance testing for pH (7.3 0.2 at 25C), sterility, and growth promotion using reference organisms including Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 6633), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), and Candida albicans (ATCC 10231).
Comparison with Competitor Products
Compared to other general-purpose media, BD Difco TSA provides superior consistency and clarity due to BDs proprietary ingredient selection and production processes. While generic TSA formulations may vary in nutrient content or performance, BDs version ensures reproducible colony morphology and predictable growth rates across a wide range of bacterial strains. Additionally, BDs quality testing and lot traceability guarantee dependable performance for regulated environments such as GMP laboratories.
Typical User Profile and Application Scenarios
This product is used by microbiologists, clinical laboratory technologists, and quality assurance professionals in:
- Clinical microbiology and diagnostic laboratories.
- Pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and medical device manufacturing facilities.
- Food and beverage quality control labs.
- Environmental monitoring and sanitation programs.
- Academic and industrial research institutions.
It is particularly suitable for laboratories requiring a standardized, nutrient-rich medium for microbial recovery, enumeration, or general culture maintenance.
Best Practices for Use and Maintenance
Store the dehydrated medium tightly closed in a cool, dry environment (225C) away from moisture and direct sunlight. Use sterile glassware and distilled water during preparation to prevent contamination or precipitation. Prepared agar plates should be stored in sealed containers or bags at 28C to prevent drying. Avoid overheating during preparation, as excessive heat may degrade nutrients and affect performance. Dispose of used cultures and media according to institutional biosafety and autoclave waste protocols.
Regulatory and Safety Information
The BD 236950 - BD Difco Tryptic Soy Agar is an FDA-cleared, CE-marked, and ISO-compliant culture medium for in vitro diagnostic and research use. The medium is non-toxic, non-hazardous, and free from DEHP, latex, and animal pathogens. A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is available from BD upon request, detailing composition, handling, and disposal information. This product is intended for use by trained laboratory professionals following standard microbiological procedures.
How to Order
To order the BD 236950 - BD Difco Tryptic Soy Agar (500 g Bottle), add the product to your cart and complete checkout through CIA Medical. We offer competitive pricing, fast shipping, and technical assistance for clinical, research, and industrial microbiology laboratories. For bulk orders, Certificates of Analysis, or product performance data, contact CIA Medicals customer service team at (312) 275-5850 or use the contact form on this page. Our team can assist with product availability, storage guidance, and documentation for regulatory compliance.
