Liofilchem® Campylobacter Karmali Agar Base

Liofilchem® Campylobacter Karmali Agar Base is a selective, blood-free, charcoal-based agar medium used for the isolation and cultivation of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli from clinical, veterinary, and environmental samples.

When supplemented with Campylobacter Karmali Supplement (ref. 81036) containing cefoperazone, vancomycin, cycloheximide, hemin, and sodium pyruvate, the medium provides strong selectivity against contaminating flora and promotes robust recovery of Campylobacter spp. under microaerophilic conditions (5% O₂, 10% CO₂, 85% N₂).

Key Features

• Blood-free formulation for simplified preparation and reduced background flora.
• Charcoal-based medium that detoxifies metabolic by-products, improving recovery and colony morphology.
• Optimized for Campylobacter spp. when used with Karmali Supplement (ref. 81036).
• Highly selective and differential medium for C. jejuni and C. coli from fecal and environmental samples.
• Microaerophilic growth conditions enhance recovery of thermotolerant strains.
• Compliant with ISO, AOAC, and APHA methodologies for Campylobacter detection.

Typical Formula (per litre)

Principle of the Method

• Peptospecial provides nitrogen, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals required for Campylobacter growth.
• Starch serves as an energy source.
• Activated charcoal neutralizes toxic metabolic by-products and enhances colony recovery.
• Sodium chloride maintains osmotic balance, while agar provides a stable solid surface.
• When combined with Karmali Supplement, the antibiotics and growth enhancers improve selectivity and aerotolerance, ensuring reliable isolation of Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli.

Preparation

1. Suspend 48 g of powder in 1 L of deionized or distilled water.
2. Heat with frequent stirring until completely dissolved.
3. Autoclave at 121 °C for 15 minutes.
4. Cool to 45–50 °C.
5. Aseptically add 2 vials (10 mL total) of rehydrated Campylobacter Karmali Supplement (ref. 81036).
6. Mix gently and pour into sterile Petri dishes.

Technique

1. Inoculate plates directly by streaking the specimen onto the agar surface.
2. Incubate at 42 °C for 48 hours under microaerophilic conditions (5% O₂, 10% CO₂, 85% N₂).
3. Examine for typical Campylobacter colonies—small, grey, flat with irregular edges, often spreading when isolated from fresh samples.

Quality Control

Appearance (Dehydrated Medium): beige, free-flowing powder

Appearance (Prepared Medium): opaque, black

Storage and Stability

• Store dehydrated medium at 10–30 °C in a dry, sealed container.
• Store prepared plates at 2–8 °C, away from light.
• Shelf life: 4 years for dehydrated medium.
• Discard if contamination, clumping, or color changes are observed.

Safety and Handling

• For in vitro diagnostic use only.
• Handle under aseptic conditions in a biosafety environment.
• Consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) before use.
• Dispose of contaminated materials following national and institutional biosafety regulations.

Ordering Information

Liofilchem® Campylobacter Karmali Agar Base is a charcoal-enriched, selective medium that provides optimal recovery of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli without the need for blood supplementation. Combined with Karmali Supplement, it delivers enhanced selectivity, stability, and ease of preparation—making it a preferred choice for clinical, veterinary, and food safety laboratories performing Campylobacter isolation.