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Liofilchem® Motility Indole Urea Agar (M.I.U.) is a semisolid, dehydrated culture medium used for the differentiation of Enterobacteriaceae based on three essential biochemical properties: motility, indole production, and urease activity. Designed for in vitro diagnostic use, this medium supports the presumptive identification of key intestinal pathogens, particularly Salmonella and Shigella spp., when used in conjunction with Kligler Iron Agar.
The formulation includes tryptone for tryptophan-rich content (indole testing), urea (added separately) for urease activity testing, and phenol red as a pH indicator. The low agar concentration allows for motility observation, making this medium a cost-effective and versatile tool in clinical microbiology.
✅ Key Features & Benefits
- Triplex Testing – Simultaneously detects motility, indole production, and urease activity
- Tryptophan-Rich Medium – Supports accurate indole production detection with Kovac’s reagent
- Semisolid Consistency – Enables easy visualization of bacterial motility
- Phenol Red pH Indicator – Distinguishes urease-positive organisms by a color change to red
- Ready for Supplementation – Requires addition of 40% urea solution (Code 80292) before use
- Excellent for Enterobacteriaceae – Widely used for presumptive identification of intestinal pathogens
- CLSI and ISO-compliant – Manufactured under strict quality control standards
Product Specifications
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Motility Indole Urea Agar (M.I.U.) |
| Formulation (g/L) | Tryptone 30.0, NaCl 5.0, KH₂PO₄ 5.0, Phenol Red 0.004, Agar 3.0 |
| Final pH | 6.9 ± 0.2 |
| Appearance (Dehydrated) | Light beige, free-flowing powder |
| Appearance (Prepared) | Light amber, clear semisolid |
| Storage (Powder) | 10–30 °C, dry environment |
| Storage (Prepared) | 2–8 °C |
| Shelf Life | 4 years from date of manufacture |
| Supplement Required | Urea 40% Solution (Code 80292) – 50 mL per litre |
| Sterilization | Autoclave at 121 °C for 15 minutes |
| Preparation | Suspend 43 g/L, heat to dissolve, autoclave, cool, add urea supplement aseptically |
Microbiological Applications
The M.I.U. medium is intended for:
- Differentiation of Enterobacteriaceae
- Presumptive identification of motility and urease activity
- Indole test using Kovac's reagent (added after incubation)
- Routine stool culture workflows for Salmonella and Shigella screening
- Combination use with Kligler Iron Agar (Liofilchem Code 30087) for extended biochemical profiling
🧬 Interpretation of Results
| Test | Positive Result | Negative Result |
|---|---|---|
| Motility | Diffuse growth from stab line or throughout medium | Growth restricted to stab line |
| Urease | Red-pink color in medium | No color change (straw/light amber) |
| Indole | Pink to red layer after adding Kovac’s reagent | Yellow or no color change |
QC Organisms & Expected Results
| Organism | Motility | Indole | Urease |
|---|---|---|---|
| Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 | + | + | – |
| Shigella flexneri ATCC 9199 | – | – | – |
| Salmonella typhi ATCC 14028 | + | – | – |
| Proteus mirabilis ATCC 25933 | + | – | + |
| Enterobacter aerogenes ATCC 13048 | + | – | – |
Storage & Handling
- Keep the dehydrated medium tightly sealed in its original container
- Protect from moisture and light
- Discard if signs of contamination or discoloration are present
- Use within the expiry date indicated on the label
Packaging Information
| Catalog No. | Content | Packaging |
|---|---|---|
| 610236 | 500 g powder | Plastic bottle |
Liofilchem® Motility Indole Urea Agar (M.I.U.) provides a reliable and efficient method for the differentiation of Enterobacteriaceae based on motility, urease production, and indole formation. Ideal for clinical microbiology labs, research institutions, and public health settings, M.I.U. agar is a staple for biochemical characterization and pathogen screening, particularly in stool culture workflows.
Instructions for use
Liofilchem® Motility Indole Urea Agar (M.I.U.) is a semisolid, dehydrated culture medium used for the differentiation of Enterobacteriaceae based on three essential biochemical properties: motility, indole production, and urease activity. Designed for in vitro diagnostic use, this medium supports the presumptive identification of key intestinal pathogens, particularly Salmonella and Shigella spp., when used in conjunction with Kligler Iron Agar.
The formulation includes tryptone for tryptophan-rich content (indole testing), urea (added separately) for urease activity testing, and phenol red as a pH indicator. The low agar concentration allows for motility observation, making this medium a cost-effective and versatile tool in clinical microbiology.
✅ Key Features & Benefits
- Triplex Testing – Simultaneously detects motility, indole production, and urease activity
- Tryptophan-Rich Medium – Supports accurate indole production detection with Kovac’s reagent
- Semisolid Consistency – Enables easy visualization of bacterial motility
- Phenol Red pH Indicator – Distinguishes urease-positive organisms by a color change to red
- Ready for Supplementation – Requires addition of 40% urea solution (Code 80292) before use
- Excellent for Enterobacteriaceae – Widely used for presumptive identification of intestinal pathogens
- CLSI and ISO-compliant – Manufactured under strict quality control standards
Product Specifications
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Motility Indole Urea Agar (M.I.U.) |
| Formulation (g/L) | Tryptone 30.0, NaCl 5.0, KH₂PO₄ 5.0, Phenol Red 0.004, Agar 3.0 |
| Final pH | 6.9 ± 0.2 |
| Appearance (Dehydrated) | Light beige, free-flowing powder |
| Appearance (Prepared) | Light amber, clear semisolid |
| Storage (Powder) | 10–30 °C, dry environment |
| Storage (Prepared) | 2–8 °C |
| Shelf Life | 4 years from date of manufacture |
| Supplement Required | Urea 40% Solution (Code 80292) – 50 mL per litre |
| Sterilization | Autoclave at 121 °C for 15 minutes |
| Preparation | Suspend 43 g/L, heat to dissolve, autoclave, cool, add urea supplement aseptically |
Microbiological Applications
The M.I.U. medium is intended for:
- Differentiation of Enterobacteriaceae
- Presumptive identification of motility and urease activity
- Indole test using Kovac's reagent (added after incubation)
- Routine stool culture workflows for Salmonella and Shigella screening
- Combination use with Kligler Iron Agar (Liofilchem Code 30087) for extended biochemical profiling
🧬 Interpretation of Results
| Test | Positive Result | Negative Result |
|---|---|---|
| Motility | Diffuse growth from stab line or throughout medium | Growth restricted to stab line |
| Urease | Red-pink color in medium | No color change (straw/light amber) |
| Indole | Pink to red layer after adding Kovac’s reagent | Yellow or no color change |
QC Organisms & Expected Results
| Organism | Motility | Indole | Urease |
|---|---|---|---|
| Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 | + | + | – |
| Shigella flexneri ATCC 9199 | – | – | – |
| Salmonella typhi ATCC 14028 | + | – | – |
| Proteus mirabilis ATCC 25933 | + | – | + |
| Enterobacter aerogenes ATCC 13048 | + | – | – |
Storage & Handling
- Keep the dehydrated medium tightly sealed in its original container
- Protect from moisture and light
- Discard if signs of contamination or discoloration are present
- Use within the expiry date indicated on the label
Packaging Information
| Catalog No. | Content | Packaging |
|---|---|---|
| 610236 | 500 g powder | Plastic bottle |
Liofilchem® Motility Indole Urea Agar (M.I.U.) provides a reliable and efficient method for the differentiation of Enterobacteriaceae based on motility, urease production, and indole formation. Ideal for clinical microbiology labs, research institutions, and public health settings, M.I.U. agar is a staple for biochemical characterization and pathogen screening, particularly in stool culture workflows.
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