Thermo Scientific Remel 10% Bile Solubility Reagent, 25mL

Thermo Scientific™ Remel™ 10% Bile Solubility Reagent is a ready-to-use liquid reagent formulated for the differentiation of Streptococcus pneumoniae from other alpha-hemolytic streptococci using either the Spot Test or Tube Test method.

The bile solubility test is a classical confirmatory procedure in clinical microbiology. S. pneumoniae is bile soluble and undergoes rapid lysis when exposed to 10% sodium desoxycholate, while other alpha-hemolytic streptococci remain unaffected. This reagent provides reliable and rapid differentiation in both agar plate and broth-based testing formats.

Principle of the Method

S. pneumoniae possesses an autolytic intracellular enzyme that lyses its own cell wall during cell division. When 10% sodium desoxycholate is applied:

• The bile salts reduce surface tension at the medium–membrane interface.
• Pneumococcal cells become susceptible to membrane disruption.
• Visible lysis occurs in bile-soluble strains.

Other alpha-hemolytic streptococci do not undergo lysis under the same conditions.

Test Methods and Interpretation

Spot Test (Directly on Blood Agar)

Positive Result:

Colony disintegrates or dissolves within 30 minutes.

Negative Result:

Colony remains intact.

Tube Test (Broth Suspension)

Positive Result:

Test suspension clears within 3 hours; control suspension remains turbid.

Negative Result:

Both test and control suspensions remain turbid.

Reagent Composition

The 10% Bile Solubility Reagent contains:

• 10% w/v Sodium Desoxycholate
• Tincture Thimerosal
• Ethyl Alcohol
• Demineralized Water

Product Specifications

Applications

• Clinical microbiology laboratories
• Confirmation of pneumococcal isolates
• Differentiation of alpha-hemolytic streptococci
• Hospital diagnostic testing
• Support of bacterial identification workflows

Storage and Handling

Store below 20°C.

For professional laboratory use only.

Refer to official product documentation for complete instructions.

Thermo Scientific Remel 10% Bile Solubility Reagent provides a rapid, reliable method for differentiating Streptococcus pneumoniae from other alpha-hemolytic streptococci. Suitable for both spot and tube test procedures, it supports accurate identification in clinical microbiology laboratories and enhances diagnostic confidence.