Thermo Scientific™ Oxoid™ Baird Parker Agar (ISO) Base (Dehydrated)

The Thermo Scientific™ Oxoid™ Baird-Parker Agar (ISO) Base (Dehydrated) is a highly selective and diagnostic medium designed for the isolation, enumeration, and presumptive identification of coagulase-positive Staphylococcus aureus from food samples. Adhering to ISO 6888-1:1999 standards, this medium is ideal for food safety testing, enabling laboratories to comply with regulatory guidelines.

This agar base includes selective inhibitory agents—glycine, lithium, and tellurite—that suppress competing bacteria while facilitating the recovery of damaged Staphylococcus aureus cells through the addition of sodium pyruvate. The presence of egg yolk emulsion further enhances diagnostic capabilities, allowing easy differentiation of coagulase-positive staphylococci by their characteristic colony morphology and proteolytic activity.

Key Features

1. Selective and Diagnostic:
   • Incorporates glycine, lithium, and tellurite to inhibit non-target organisms.
   • Egg yolk emulsion supports the recovery of damaged cells and aids in presumptive identification.
2. ISO Compliant:
   • Designed to meet ISO 6888-1:1999 standards for the detection of Staphylococcus aureus in food samples.
3. Reliable Identification:
   • Coagulase-positive Staphylococcus aureus produces gray-black shiny colonies with clear zones caused by egg yolk proteolysis.
   • Longer incubation may result in opaque halos around colonies.
4. High Sensitivity:
   • Detects small numbers of Staphylococcus aureus cells, even in the presence of food contaminants.
5. Versatile Packaging:
   • Available in 500g and 5kg sizes to suit varying laboratory needs.

Applications

1. Food Microbiology

• Detection of Staphylococcus aureus: Commonly used for testing processed foods, dairy products, and other consumables.
• Food Safety Compliance: Essential for laboratories adhering to international food safety standards, including ISO 6888-1:1999.

2. Public Health Monitoring

• Monitor Staphylococcus aureus contamination in food production facilities and retail environments.

3. Clinical and Environmental Microbiology

• Isolation of Staphylococcus aureus from environmental swabs and clinical specimens.

Specifications

Preparation Instructions

1. Suspend: Suspend 63 g of Baird-Parker Agar Base in 1 liter of distilled water.
2. Heat and Dissolve: Bring to a boil while stirring until the powder is completely dissolved. Do not autoclave.
3. Supplement: Cool the medium to 45–50°C and aseptically add Egg Yolk Emulsion (Oxoid SR0054) and Potassium Tellurite Supplement (Oxoid SR0052).
4. Dispense: Pour the medium into sterile Petri dishes and allow it to solidify.

Diagnostic Features

Advantages

1. Highly Selective: Suppresses non-target organisms to improve detection accuracy.
2. Easy Interpretation: Distinctive colony appearance simplifies presumptive identification.
3. Cost-Effective: High yield; one package can prepare up to 7.9L of medium (500g).
4. ISO Standard Compliance: Meets international food safety standards for reliable results.
5. Versatile Applications: Useful in food safety, clinical, and environmental microbiology.

Storage and Stability

• Storage Conditions: Store the dehydrated medium at 10–30°C in a dry environment.
• Shelf Life: 3 years when stored under recommended conditions.

General References

1. Baird-Parker A.C. (1962). J. Appl. Bacteriol., 25: 12-19.
2. Zebovitz E., Evans J.B., Niven C.F. (1955). J. Bacteriol., 70: 686.
3. Holbrook R. and Anderson J.M. (1980). Can. J. Microbiol., 26(7): 753-759.

Packaging

• Catalog Number: CM1127B (500g) or CM1127T (5kg).
• Quantity: Available in 500g and 5kg units to suit laboratory scales.

The Thermo Scientific™ Oxoid™ Baird-Parker Agar (ISO) Base (Dehydrated) is a selective, diagnostic, and ISO-compliant medium for the isolation and enumeration of Staphylococcus aureus. With its precise formulation and ease of use, this agar base is an essential tool for food safety testing, clinical diagnostics, and public health monitoring. Its reliability and diagnostic clarity make it indispensable for laboratories focused on ensuring food quality and safety.