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HiMedia Folic Acid Assay Medium, 100g
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For microbiological assay of Folic Acid using Enterococcus hirae ATCC 8043.
Specifications:
| Application | Clinical microbiology | ||
| Storage Temperature | Ambient | ||
| Product Type | Culture Medium, Supplement | Forms | Powder |
| Product Brand | HiMedia | ||
| Product Grade | Microbiology grade | ||
The HiMedia Folic Acid Assay Medium is prepared according to the formulation of Capps, Hobbs, and Fox (1948) and is recommended for the microbiological assay of folic acid using Enterococcus hirae ATCC 8043 (formerly Streptococcus faecalis). This specialized medium supports folic acid quantification in pharmaceutical preparations by providing all nutrients necessary for bacterial growth, except folic acid itself.
Composition
| Ingredient | g/Litre |
|---|---|
| Acicase, vitamin free (#) | 12.000 |
| Dextrose | 40.000 |
| Sodium citrate | 20.000 |
| L-Cystine | 0.200 |
| DL-Tryptophan | 0.200 |
| Adenine sulphate | 0.020 |
| Guanine hydrochloride | 0.020 |
| Uracil | 0.020 |
| Thiamine hydrochloride | 0.002 |
| Pyridoxine hydrochloride | 0.004 |
| Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) | 0.002 |
| Niacin | 0.002 |
| p-Aminobenzoic acid (PABA) | 0.0002 |
| Biotin | 0.0000008 |
| Calcium pantothenate | 0.0004 |
| Dipotassium phosphate | 1.000 |
| Monopotassium phosphate | 1.000 |
| Magnesium sulphate | 0.400 |
| Sodium chloride | 0.020 |
| Ferrous sulphate | 0.020 |
| Manganese sulphate | 0.020 |
| Final pH at 25°C | 6.8 ± 0.2 |
(#) Equivalent to casein acid hydrolysate, vitamin-free
Directions for Use
- Suspend 7.49 g of medium in 100 ml purified/distilled water.
- Heat if necessary to dissolve completely, mix to distribute any precipitate evenly.
- Dispense 5 ml per assay tube, and adjust to 10 ml final volume with distilled water.
- Autoclave at 121°C (15 lbs pressure) for 10 minutes.
- Prepare folic acid standards at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 ng per 10 ml tube to generate the standard curve.
Principle and Interpretation
This medium contains amino acids, carbohydrates, purines, pyrimidines, salts, and vitamins essential for growth of Enterococcus hirae ATCC 8043. As folic acid is the only limiting factor, bacterial growth directly correlates with folic acid concentration in the sample. The assay result is interpreted by comparing growth responses of test samples with those of known folic acid standards.
Quality Control
- Appearance (Powder): Off-white to yellow, homogeneous, free-flowing.
- Prepared Medium: Light amber solution, may show slight precipitate.
- pH (7.5% w/v at 25°C): 6.6–7.0 (target 6.8 ± 0.2).
- Growth Response: Good growth of E. hirae with graded increase proportional to folic acid concentration.
Applications
- Pharmaceutical quality control – folic acid determination in drug formulations.
- Nutritional analysis – testing folic acid levels in fortified food products.
- Clinical microbiology – vitamin assay for folic acid content.
- Research and teaching labs – experimental studies on folate metabolism.
The HiMedia Folic Acid Assay Medium (M038) is a reliable, standardized culture medium specifically formulated for the microbiological assay of folic acid. By supporting growth of Enterococcus hirae only in the presence of folic acid, it enables precise quantification of this essential vitamin in pharmaceuticals and nutritional samples. With its validated composition, reproducible performance, and compliance with AOAC methods, it is an essential tool for laboratories engaged in vitamin analysis, pharmaceutical QC, and microbiological research.