Liofilchem® M-Fc Agar Base, 500G

Liofilchem® m-FC Agar Base is a specialized chromogenic and selective basal medium designed for the isolation and enumeration of fecal coliforms from water samples using the membrane filtration technique. This medium is widely used in water quality analysis and environmental microbiology to assess the presence of fecal contamination, ensuring compliance with public health standards.

Key Features:

• Fecal Coliform Isolation: Enables precise detection and enumeration of fecal coliforms in water by promoting the growth of fecal coliform bacteria while suppressing non-target organisms.
• Differential Properties: Fecal coliforms form distinct blue colonies, while non-coliform Gram-negative bacteria form grey or cream colonies, facilitating easy differentiation.
• Selective Agent: Contains bile salts that inhibit Gram-positive bacteria, ensuring specificity for fecal coliforms.
• Elevated Temperature Compatibility: Optimized for use at 44.5 ± 0.5°C for selective fecal coliform detection.

Applications:

• Water quality monitoring for potable water and recreational water sources.
• Wastewater analysis in treatment plants.
• Environmental testing of river, lake, and industrial water samples.
• Compliance with public health microbiological standards.

Technical Specifications:

1. Composition (per liter):

Preparation Instructions:

1. Suspend 52.1 g of dehydrated powder in 1 liter of distilled or deionized water.
2. Add 2 vials of Rosolic Acid supplement (50 mg/vial).
3. Heat until completely dissolved, bring to a boil. Do not autoclave.
4. Cool the medium to 45-50°C, mix thoroughly, and dispense into Petri dishes.

Test Procedure:

1. Filter water samples through sterile membrane filters.
2. Place the membranes on m-FC Agar Base plates.
3. Incubate at 44.5 ± 0.5°C for 24 ± 2 hours.
4. Observe colony growth and record results.

Interpretation of Results:

• Blue Colonies: Indicate fecal coliforms (Escherichia coli).
• Grey or Cream Colonies: Non-fecal coliforms such as Klebsiella pneumoniae.
• Inhibition: Gram-positive bacteria are markedly inhibited.

2. Quality Control Data:

| Incubation Conditions | 44.5 ± 0.5°C for 24 ± 2 hours |

Storage and Shelf Life:

• Store the powder in a dry environment at 10-30°C in its original tightly closed container.
• Prepared plates should be stored at 2-8°C.
• Shelf life:
  • Dehydrated medium: 4 years.
  • Prepared plates: 6 months.

Performance and Limitations:

• May allow limited growth of non-fecal coliform colonies; increasing incubation temperature to 45 ± 2°C can reduce the risk of Klebsiella growth.
• Not suitable for autoclaving; prepare as per the specified method to maintain performance.

3. Packaging Options:

References:

1. Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 16th Edition (APHA, 1985).
2. Gildreich, E.E., et al., "Coliform Detection in Water," Journal of the American Water Works Association, 1965.

Ordering Information:

• m-FC Agar Base: Ref. 611012 (500 g), Ref. 621012 (100 g), Ref. 6110125 (5 kg)
• Rosolic Acid Supplement: Ref. 81029

Safety and Handling:

• Non-toxic under normal usage. Consult SDS for detailed safety guidelines.
• Dispose of used medium and plates following national and local regulations for microbiological waste.

This product ensures reliable, accurate results in environmental microbiology and water testing applications, making it a trusted choice for laboratories globally.