Liofilchem® Dipicolinic acid DP, Antimicrobial Susceptibility Discs

Liofilchem® Dipicolinic Acid (DP) Antimicrobial Susceptibility Discs are specialized in vitro diagnostic tools used for assessing the antimicrobial activity of dipicolinic acid (also known as pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid), particularly in experimental and research contexts. These discs are designed for use with the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method on Mueller-Hinton agar or other appropriate media. Dipicolinic acid is a metal ion chelator and spore core component, often studied for its potential role in disrupting microbial processes, especially in bacterial spore resistance and biofilm formation.

Each disc is impregnated with a standardized quantity of dipicolinic acid and manufactured under ISO 9001 and ISO 13485 certified quality systems to ensure consistent results in specialized antimicrobial screening and mechanistic microbiology research.

Key Features

• Standardized formulation: Each disc contains a precisely calibrated dose of dipicolinic acid.
• Research-oriented application: Used in exploring novel mechanisms of antimicrobial activity, spore resistance inhibition, and ion chelation.
• Sterile and ready-to-use: Supplied in sealed cartridges or canisters with desiccant for stability and sterility.
• Validated performance: Produced under strict ISO standards to ensure experimental reproducibility.
• Color-coded disc labeling: Facilitates easy identification in multi-drug testing setups.

Applications and Use Cases

1. Experimental Antimicrobial Testing

• Investigate the inhibitory effects of dipicolinic acid on vegetative bacterial cells or spores.
• Study chelation-based antimicrobial mechanisms, particularly in metal-dependent enzymatic systems.
• Evaluate synergistic or antagonistic interactions with antibiotics, especially in biofilm-forming pathogens.

2. Spore Biology and Resistance Research

• Assess the impact of dipicolinic acid on spore germination and heat resistance, especially in Bacillus and Clostridium species.
• Explore its role in disrupting spore core ion balance and membrane permeability.

3. Biofilm and Quorum Sensing Studies

• Screen for dipicolinic acid activity against biofilm-producing organisms (e.g., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus epidermidis).
• Research potential modulation of quorum sensing pathways and resistance phenotypes.

4. Pharmaceutical and Biochemical Research

• Support discovery of novel antimicrobial adjuvants based on chelation or stress-response inhibition.
• Use in compound screening libraries for antimicrobial development.

Use Instructions

1. Prepare Mueller-Hinton agar (or other suitable medium) according to laboratory protocols.
2. Standardize the inoculum to a 0.5 McFarland turbidity standard.
3. Inoculate plates evenly using a sterile swab.
4. Apply one Dipicolinic Acid disc using sterile forceps or a disc dispenser.
5. Incubate at 35 ± 2 °C for 16–24 hours (adjust depending on organism and study design).
6. Measure the zone of inhibition in millimeters.
7. Interpret based on internal laboratory or experimental thresholds, as no formal CLSI/EUCAST breakpoints exist for dipicolinic acid.

Storage and Shelf Life

• Storage Conditions: 2–8 °C (refrigerated) in sealed packaging with desiccant.
• Shelf Life: Typically 24–36 months from the date of manufacture under proper storage conditions.

Liofilchem® Dipicolinic Acid DP Discs offer a valuable resource for researchers investigating non-conventional antimicrobial mechanisms, spore physiology, and biofilm dynamics. Though not used in routine clinical diagnostics, these discs are indispensable in academic and industrial research settings aiming to advance our understanding of microbial survival, resistance, and novel drug development pathways. Backed by Liofilchem’s stringent manufacturing quality, they provide reproducible and reliable performance for specialized microbiological studies.