Liofilchem® TCBS Agar

Thiosulfate Citrate Bile Sucrose (TCBS) Agar is a highly selective medium specifically formulated for the isolation and identification of Vibrio spp., including Vibrio cholerae and Vibrio parahaemolyticus, from clinical and non-clinical samples. This medium is widely used in food safety, clinical microbiology, and environmental testing, conforming to ISO 21872 standards for detecting enteropathogenic Vibrio species.

Key Features

1. Selective for Vibrio spp.:
   • Contains selective agents such as sodium citrate, sodium thiosulfate, and bile salts, which inhibit Gram-positive organisms and coliforms.
   • Alkaline pH (8.6 ± 0.2) enhances the recovery of Vibrio species.
2. Distinctive Colony Differentiation:
   • Vibrio cholerae and Vibrio alginolyticus: Yellow colonies (sucrose fermenters).
   • Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus: Blue-green colonies (non-sucrose fermenters).
3. ISO-Compliant:
   • Conforms to ISO 21872-1:2007 and ISO 21872-2:2007, ensuring reliable and reproducible results.
4. Broad Applications:
   • Suitable for testing clinical samples (e.g., stool, rectal swabs), food products, and environmental samples.
5. Nutrient-Rich Formulation:
   • Peptone, yeast extract, and sucrose provide essential nutrients for microbial growth.

Typical Formula (g/L)

Applications

1. Clinical Microbiology:
   • Isolation and identification of Vibrio spp. from feces, vomitus, and rectal swabs.
2. Food Microbiology:
   • Detection of Vibrio species in seafood, animal feed, and processed foods.
3. Environmental Monitoring:
   • Testing water and environmental samples for Vibrio contamination.

Preparation Instructions

1. Suspend 89.1 g of TCBS Agar powder in 1 liter of distilled or deionized water.
2. Heat to boiling while stirring until completely dissolved.
3. DO NOT AUTOCLAVE.
4. Cool the medium to 45-50°C, mix thoroughly, and pour into sterile Petri dishes.

Test Procedure

1. Pre-enrichment (optional): Enrich samples in Alkaline Saline Peptone Water (ASPW) for 6-8 hours.
2. Inoculation: Streak the sample onto TCBS Agar plates.
3. Incubation: Incubate plates at 37 ± 1°C for 18-24 hours under aerobic conditions.
4. Interpretation:
   • Yellow colonies: Vibrio cholerae, Vibrio alginolyticus.
   • Blue-green colonies: Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio vulnificus.

Colony Characteristics

Storage and Shelf Life

• Storage:
  • Dehydrated medium: Store at 10-30°C in a dry, sealed container.
  • Prepared plates: Store at 10-25°C away from light.
• Shelf Life:
  • Dehydrated medium: 4 years.
  • Ready-to-use plates: 6 months.

Warnings and Precautions

1. For in vitro diagnostic use only.
2. Do not autoclave prepared medium as it may alter selectivity.
3. Avoid freezing specimens for Vibrio culture as it affects viability.
4. Handle all specimens as potentially infectious.

Advantages

• Highly Selective: Effectively inhibits non-target organisms for clear Vibrio recovery.
• Distinctive Differentiation: Yellow or blue-green colonies provide clear identification.
• Versatile Applications: Applicable to clinical, food, and environmental microbiology.
• Standards Compliant: Meets ISO 21872 guidelines for Vibrio spp. detection.

Packaging

Why Choose Liofilchem TCBS Agar?

• Optimized for Vibrio isolation and differentiation.
• Trusted for compliance with international food safety standards.
• Backed by Liofilchem’s expertise in high-quality microbiological media.