Thermo Scientific™ Oxoid™ Hektoen Enteric Agar (Dehydrated)
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Specifications:
Application | Microbiology | ||
Storage Temperature | Ambient | ||
Product Type | Culture Medium | Forms | Powder |
Product Brand | Thermo Fisher Scientific™, Oxoid | ||
Product Grade | Microbiology grade | ||
The Thermo Scientific™ Oxoid™ Hektoen Enteric Agar (Dehydrated) is a selective and differential medium designed for the isolation and differentiation of Shigella and Salmonella species from enteric pathological specimens, food, and other samples. Developed by King and Metzger, this medium provides superior recovery rates for Salmonella and Shigella while effectively suppressing Gram-positive and non-target organisms.
Key Features
- Selective Medium:
- Contains bile salts, bromothymol blue, and acid fuchsin, which inhibit Gram-positive bacteria and non-enteric organisms.
- Differential Identification:
- Shigella spp.: Green, moist, raised colonies.
- Salmonella spp.: Blue-green colonies (with or without black centers).
- Coliforms: Salmon-pink to orange colonies surrounded by bile precipitation zones.
- Enhanced Recovery:
- High peptone content offsets bile salt inhibition of Shigella spp. and additional carbohydrates (sucrose and salicin) improve differentiation and recovery.
- Hydrogen Sulfide Detection:
- Includes thiosulphate and ferric citrate to detect H2S-producing organisms, such as certain Salmonella strains.
- APHA-Compliant:
- Meets the requirements of the American Public Health Association (APHA) for food microbiology testing.
Applications
1. Clinical Microbiology
- Isolation and differentiation of Salmonella and Shigella species from fecal samples for diagnostic purposes.
2. Food Microbiology
- Detection and identification of enteric pathogens in food samples, including raw and processed foods.
3. Environmental Microbiology
- Monitoring enteric pathogen contamination in water and environmental samples.
Specifications
Attribute | Details |
---|---|
Product Type | Agar |
Form | Powder |
Description | Hektoen Enteric Agar |
Applications | Clinical, food, and environmental microbiology |
Quantity | 500g |
Yield | 6.6L of prepared medium |
Preparation Instructions
- Suspend: Suspend 76g of Hektoen Enteric Agar powder in 1 liter of distilled water.
- Mix and Heat: Heat with frequent agitation until fully dissolved. Do not autoclave.
- Cool and Dispense: Cool the medium to 45–50°C, pour into sterile Petri dishes, and allow to solidify.
Advantages
- Reliable Differentiation: Distinct colony appearances for Salmonella, Shigella, and coliform organisms ensure clear identification.
- Selective and Specific: Suppresses non-target organisms while supporting the growth of target pathogens.
- Enhanced Recovery: Additional carbohydrates and peptones improve the recovery of enteric pathogens.
- Regulatory Compliance: Meets APHA standards, making it suitable for regulated workflows.
- Cost-Effective: High yield of 6.6L per 500g, ideal for routine laboratory use.
Diagnostic Features
Organism | Colony Appearance |
---|---|
Shigella spp. | Green, moist, raised colonies |
Salmonella spp. | Blue-green colonies, with/without black centers (H2S production) |
Coliforms | Salmon-pink to orange colonies, surrounded by bile precipitation zones |
Storage and Stability
- Storage: Store the dehydrated medium at 10–30°C in a dry environment.
- Shelf Life: Refer to product label for expiration date.
Packaging
- Product: Hektoen Enteric Agar (Dehydrated)
- Catalog Number: CM0419B
- Quantity: 500g
- Yield: 6.6L of prepared medium
The Thermo Scientific™ Oxoid™ Hektoen Enteric Agar (Dehydrated) is a trusted and effective solution for the isolation and differentiation of Shigella and Salmonella species in clinical, food, and environmental samples. Its selective and differential properties, coupled with APHA compliance, make it indispensable for microbiology laboratories focused on enteric pathogen detection and public health safety.