Liofilchem® Brucella Agar Base

Liofilchem® Brucella Agar Base is a nutrient-rich basal medium used for the isolation and cultivation of all biotypes of Brucella spp. from clinical, veterinary, and food samples.

When supplemented with inactivated horse serum, glucose, and Brucella Supplement (code 81003) containing selective antibiotics and antifungals, this medium supports the growth of Brucella while inhibiting accompanying flora.

It is designed for diagnostic and research microbiology laboratories working under appropriate biosafety conditions and provides excellent clarity, consistency, and recovery performance.

Key Features

• Basal medium optimized for Brucella spp. recovery.
• Supports selective enrichment when used with Brucella Supplement 81003.
• Nutrient-balanced formulation containing peptone, meat extract, and glucose.
• Compatible with serum and antibiotic enrichment for enhanced selectivity.
• Reproducible colony morphology—smooth, convex, translucent colonies 1–2 mm in diameter.
• Meets international guidelines for Brucella culture and identification.

Typical Formula (g/L)

Preparation

1. Suspend 45 g of powder in 1 L of distilled or de-ionized water.
2. Heat with stirring until fully dissolved.
3. Autoclave at 121 °C for 15 min.
4. Cool to 45 – 50 °C.
5. Add supplements aseptically:
   • 5 – 10 % inactivated horse serum
   • 1 – 5 % sterile glucose
   • Two vials Brucella Supplement (81003) reconstituted in 10 mL of a 1 : 1 methanol / sterile-water solution and pre-incubated 10–15 min at 36 °C.
6. Mix gently and pour into sterile Petri plates.

Brucella Supplement (81003)

Each vial (for 500 mL medium) contains:

Technique

• Inoculate by streaking the specimen on the surface of the supplemented agar using a sterile glass rod.
• Incubate at 36 ± 1 °C for 72 – 96 h in a 10–20 % CO₂ atmosphere.
• Examine for translucent, slightly amber convex colonies (1–2 mm) and confirm by slide agglutination or biochemical testing.

Quality Control

Dehydrated medium: beige, free-flowing powder 

Prepared medium: light-amber, slightly opalescent gel

Performance and Limitations

• Colonies appear translucent to slightly amber in reflected light.
• Certain strains may require additional enrichment.
• WHO recommends thionine and basic fuchsin resistance tests to differentiate B. melitensis, B. abortus, and B. suis.
• For laboratory use only under appropriate containment conditions.

Storage and Stability

• Store at 10–30 °C in a dry environment, tightly closed.
• Protect from humidity and light.
• Shelf life: 4 years (dehydrated medium); store prepared plates at 2–8 °C.

Ordering Information

Liofilchem® Brucella Agar Base provides a dependable and well-defined foundation for the isolation and differentiation of Brucella spp. in clinical and veterinary microbiology. When enriched with serum, glucose, and selective antibiotics, it yields excellent recovery and clarity while suppressing contaminating organisms. This medium remains a trusted choice for laboratories conducting food safety, veterinary surveillance, and infectious-disease research requiring reproducible Brucella isolation results.