Liofilchem Urea Broth

Liofilchem Urea Broth is a liquid culture medium designed for the differentiation of microorganisms based on their ability to produce the enzyme urease. It is particularly effective for differentiating members of the genus Proteus from Salmonella and Shigella, making it a critical tool in diagnosing enteric infections. Its formulation supports rapid identification while maintaining specificity.

Key Features:

1. Selective and Differential:
   • Targets urease production to distinguish urease-positive organisms (Proteus, Morganella, and Providencia) from urease-negative organisms (Salmonella, Shigella, and E. coli).
   • Highly buffered to ensure accurate detection without interference from low ammonia production.
2. Clear Urease Detection:
   • Uses phenol red as a pH indicator, which shifts from yellow to pink-red in response to ammonia production from urea hydrolysis.
3. Applications:
   • Recommended for enteric diagnostics, particularly for isolating and identifying pathogens in the family Enterobacteriaceae.
   • Suitable for clinical microbiology, food safety, and water testing.
4. Compliance:
   • Conforms to microbiological standards outlined in international research and diagnostic protocols, ensuring reliability and reproducibility.

Composition (Per Liter):

Final pH: 6.8 ± 0.2 at 25°C.

Preparation Instructions:

1. Suspend 38.7 g of Urea Broth powder in 1 liter of distilled or deionized water.
2. Mix thoroughly until completely dissolved.
3. Do not boil or autoclave; sterilize via filtration.
4. Dispense into sterile test tubes for use.

Usage Protocol:

1. Inoculation:
   • Heavily inoculate the medium with a pure culture of the test microorganism.
2. Incubation:
   • Incubate aerobically at 35 ± 2°C for 8-48 hours.
3. Observation:
   • Positive urease activity is indicated by a pink-red color change.
   • No color change indicates a negative result.

Interpretation of Results:

Applications:

• Clinical Diagnostics:
  • Differentiates Proteus spp. from other Enterobacteriaceae such as Salmonella and Shigella.
• Food Safety Testing:
  • Detects urease-producing contaminants in food and beverages.
• Microbial Research:
  • Facilitates studies on urease activity and ammonia metabolism in microorganisms.

Product Appearance:

• Dehydrated Medium:
  • Free-flowing, homogeneous powder.
  • Color: Light orange to light pink.
• Prepared Medium:
  • Clear solution with yellow-orange coloration.

Storage Conditions:

• Dehydrated Medium:
  • Store at 10-30°C in a dry environment, in its original sealed container.
• Prepared Medium:
  • Store at 2-8°C, protected from light.

Shelf Life:

• Dehydrated Medium: 4 years.
• Prepared Tubes: 1 year.

Quality Control:

1. Physical Properties:
   • Powder: Homogeneous, light orange-pink.
   • Prepared medium: Clear, yellow-orange.
2. Microbiological Testing:
   • Verified using reference strains:
     • Proteus mirabilis (Positive, pink-red).
     • Salmonella Typhimurium and Escherichia coli (Negative, yellow).

Precautions:

• For in vitro diagnostic use only by trained professionals.
• Avoid contact with phenol red, which may cause irritation.
• Consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for detailed handling instructions.
• Do not use beyond the expiry date or if contamination/deterioration is evident.

Waste Disposal:

• Dispose of waste in compliance with local and national regulations.

Packaging:

References:

1. MacFaddin, J.F. (2000). Biochemical Tests for Identification of Medical Bacteria. 3rd Ed. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
2. Christensen, W.B. (1946). Journal of Bacteriology. 52, 461-466.
3. Stuart, C.A., et al. (1945). Journal of Bacteriology. 49, 437-444.

Liofilchem Urea Broth provides a robust and reliable medium for identifying urease-producing bacteria. Its high specificity, supported by international standards and extensive testing, makes it indispensable in clinical diagnostics, research, and food safety testing.