BD 288210 - Difco Lactobacilli MRS Agar, Dehydrated Culture Medium, 500g, EA
The BD 288210 - Difco Lactobacilli MRS Agar is a high-quality dehydrated culture medium specifically formulated for the isolation, enumeration, and cultivation of Lactobacillus species. Supplied in a 500g bottle, this agar medium is widely used in microbiology laboratories for quality control, food testing, dairy fermentation studies, and probiotic research. Developed by Becton Dickinson (BD), the Difco brand is recognized for its exceptional consistency and reliability in culture media performance.
The MRS (de Man, Rogosa, and Sharpe) formulation supports robust growth of lactic acid bacteria by providing essential nutrients such as peptones, dextrose, polysorbate 80, and yeast extract. The addition of sodium acetate, ammonium citrate, and magnesium sulfate selectively enhances Lactobacillus growth while inhibiting unwanted microorganisms, making it the preferred medium for studying these fastidious organisms in both clinical and industrial settings.
Key Benefits
The BD Difco Lactobacilli MRS Agar offers precise and consistent results with high selectivity for Lactobacillus species. Its optimized nutrient composition promotes vigorous colony development and stable morphology. The mediums balanced formulation enhances reproducibility between batches, making it ideal for standard microbiological testing and regulatory compliance. The dehydrated format ensures long shelf life and easy preparationsimply reconstitute with distilled water and sterilize before use. Laboratories benefit from its reliability in detecting lactic acid bacteria critical for fermentation quality and probiotic validation.
Compatibility and Applications
This medium is compatible with standard microbiological procedures and equipment, including Petri dishes, culture tubes, and anaerobic incubation systems. It is extensively used in:
- Food and beverage industries for testing fermented dairy products, yogurt, beer, and probiotic cultures.
- Clinical laboratories for identifying Lactobacillus in vaginal or gastrointestinal microbiota studies.
- Pharmaceutical and research labs for quality control of probiotic formulations.
The BD Difco MRS Agar supports both qualitative and quantitative analysis, allowing for enumeration of viable Lactobacillus colonies under aerobic or microaerophilic conditions.
Usage Guidelines
To prepare the medium, suspend 70 g of the dehydrated powder in 1 liter of purified water. Heat with frequent agitation until the powder is completely dissolved. Sterilize by autoclaving at 121 C for 15 minutes. Allow the medium to cool to 4550 C, then pour into sterile Petri dishes or culture tubes as needed. Once solidified, inoculate the surface with the desired specimen or culture. Incubate plates at 3037 C for 4872 hours, depending on the strain requirements and desired growth conditions. For optimal results, maintain the recommended pH of 6.5 0.2 before sterilization.
Certifications, Safety Standards, and Regulatory Approvals
The BD Difco Lactobacilli MRS Agar meets ISO 11133 standards for microbiological culture media and is manufactured under ISO 13485:2016 quality management certification for medical and laboratory products. It is FDA-cleared for laboratory use and CE-marked for distribution in regions requiring conformity to EU regulatory standards. Each batch undergoes rigorous quality control testing for performance, sterility, and physical characteristics to ensure consistent laboratory results. BD also follows CLSI and USP guidelines for culture media preparation and validation.
Comparison with Competitor Products
Compared to other commercially available MRS media, BD Difcos formulation is renowned for its superior consistency, reproducibility, and clarity. Competing brands may exhibit variability in colony morphology or nutrient balance due to lower ingredient purity. BDs Difco media use highly refined peptones and yeast extracts, resulting in clearer colonies and stronger growth of even the most fastidious Lactobacillus strains. Its precise buffering system also ensures stable pH during incubation, a critical factor in maintaining the viability of lactic acid bacteria.
Typical User Profile and Application Scenarios
The BD Difco MRS Agar is used by microbiologists, quality assurance specialists, and researchers working in food safety, clinical diagnostics, and probiotic development. Typical users include:
- Quality control laboratories in dairy and fermented food manufacturing.
- Academic and industrial research facilities studying lactic acid bacteria.
- Pharmaceutical companies testing probiotic viability and strain identification.
- Clinical microbiology labs isolating Lactobacillus species from patient samples.
Its wide application makes it a fundamental medium for both educational and professional laboratory environments.
Best Practices for Use and Maintenance
Store the dehydrated medium tightly sealed in a cool, dry place at 1030 C. Protect from moisture, heat, and direct light to preserve product quality. Use aseptic techniques during reconstitution and sterilization to prevent contamination. Always check lot numbers, manufacturing dates, and expiration dates before use. Avoid repeated exposure of the powder to air, as humidity can reduce shelf life. Dispose of used agar plates and cultures according to biohazard waste protocols. Follow laboratory best practices to maintain consistent media quality and reliable test outcomes.
Regulatory and Safety Information
The BD 288210 - Difco Lactobacilli MRS Agar is intended for in vitro diagnostic use and complies with FDA, ISO, and CLSI standards. The formulation is non-toxic and free from animal-derived transmissible agents. Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are available upon request for detailed information on handling, storage, and disposal. Users should wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when preparing or handling media and autoclave all used materials prior to disposal to ensure biosafety compliance.
How to Order
To order the BD 288210 - Difco Medium Culture Dehydrated 500g Lactobacilli MRS Agar, add the product to your cart and complete the secure checkout process. CIA Medical offers reliable shipping, competitive pricing, and dedicated customer service for laboratory and industrial clients. For bulk orders, technical inquiries, or custom quotes, please contact CIA Medical at (312) 275-5850 or use the contact form on this page. Our experienced representatives can assist with product specifications, batch documentation, and technical support.
