BD 265020 - TCBS Agar Selective Medium for Isolation of Vibrio Species

BD 265020 - TCBS Agar Selective Medium for Isolation of Vibrio Species

The BD 265020 TCBS Agar (Thiosulfate-Citrate-Bile Salts-Sucrose Agar) is a high-quality selective and differential culture medium designed for the isolation, differentiation, and enumeration of Vibrio species from clinical, food, and environmental samples. Its formulation includes elevated pH, bile salts, citrate, and thiosulfate to inhibit non-target organisms while promoting the growth of pathogenic Vibrio species such as Vibrio cholerae, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, and Vibrio vulnificus. Sucrose fermentation indicators assist in species differentiation, making TCBS Agar one of the most widely used media for Vibrio detection.

Key Benefits

BD 265020 TCBS Agar offers a highly reliable and selective environment for Vibrio recovery. Its optimized formulation effectively suppresses Gram-positive and many Gram-negative competitors, ensuring clearer isolation of Vibrio colonies. The mediums colorimetric differentiationyellow colonies for sucrose fermenters like V. cholerae and green/blue colonies for non-fermenters like V. parahaemolyticussupports rapid and accurate presumptive identification. BDs rigorous manufacturing standards ensure consistent batch performance, excellent clarity, and dependable selectivity, enabling confident diagnostic interpretation.

Compatibility and Applications

BD TCBS Agar is compatible with standard microbiological workflows and can be used with swab samples, enriched broth cultures, and environmental water samples. It is widely used in:

• Clinical microbiology laboratories diagnosing Vibrio infections
• Food testing labs evaluating seafood contamination
• Public health surveillance programs
• Environmental monitoring of coastal and marine water sources

The medium supports rapid screening, isolation, and differentiation of Vibrio species during outbreak investigations, routine surveillance, and regulatory testing.

Usage Guidelines

Allow plates or prepared media to reach room temperature before inoculation. With aseptic technique, streak the sample onto the TCBS Agar surface to obtain isolated colonies. Incubate plates at 3537C for 1824 hours. Examine colony coloration and morphologyyellow for sucrose-fermenting Vibrio species and green/blue for non-fermenters. Confirmatory biochemical or molecular testing is recommended for precise species identification. Protect unused plates from light and store at 28C.

Certifications, Safety Standards, and Regulatory Approvals

BD 265020 TCBS Agar is manufactured under ISO 9001 and ISO 13485 certified quality systems. It conforms to FDA and CE standards for in vitro diagnostic (IVD) use. Each batch is tested for sterility, pH accuracy, selectivity, and differential performance using control organisms such as V. cholerae, V. parahaemolyticus, and E. coli (as an inhibited strain), ensuring reliable outcomes in clinical and environmental testing.

Comparison with Competitor Products

BDs TCBS Agar is recognized for its superior clarity, consistent pH stability, and robust inhibition of non-Vibrio organisms. Competing formulations may exhibit variable colony color development or reduced selectivity due to inconsistent bile salt or thiosulfate concentrations. BDs precision-balanced formulation enables clear differentiation of sucrose-fermenting and non-fermenting Vibrio species, making it a preferred choice in high-volume testing environments and regulatory laboratories.

Typical User Profile and Application Scenarios

This product is designed for microbiologists, laboratory technologists, environmental scientists, food safety specialists, and public health investigators. It is especially valuable in:

• Seafood safety testing for regulatory compliance
• Clinical diagnosis of cholera and other Vibrio-related gastrointestinal illnesses
• Monitoring marine waters during warmer seasons when Vibrio levels peak
• Outbreak response requiring rapid isolation and differentiation of Vibrio species

Best Practices for Use and Maintenance

Use aseptic technique for inoculation and sample handling. Avoid prolonged exposure of plates to heat or light, as this may affect color reactions and medium stability. Always confirm presumptive Vibrio identifications with additional biochemical or molecular methods. Store medium at recommended temperatures and avoid freezing. Dispose of inoculated plates as biohazard waste following institutional guidelines.

Regulatory and Safety Information

BD 265020 TCBS Agar is intended for in vitro diagnostic and laboratory use by trained personnel. While the medium itself is non-hazardous, samples may contain pathogenic organisms requiring biosafety level 2 precautions. Wear appropriate PPE including gloves, lab coat, and eye protection. Decontaminate used materials through autoclaving or approved disinfectants prior to disposal.

How to Order

To order BD 265020 TCBS Agar, add the product to your shopping cart and complete checkout through CIA Medicals secure ordering system. For bulk orders, institutional pricing, or additional documentation, contact CIA Medical customer service at (312) 275-5850 or use the contact form on this page. Our team is available to assist with product availability, specifications, and technical support for laboratory applications.