Part of Thermo Fisher Scientific
Organisms in the Clinical sector this product works with:
STAA AGAR BASE
CODE: CM0881
A medium for the isolation of Brochothrix thermosphacta from food samples.
Typical Formula* | gm/litre |
Peptone | 20.0 |
Yeast extract | 2.0 |
Dipotassium hydrogen phosphate | 1.0 |
Magnesium sulphate | 1.0 |
Agar | 13.0 |
pH 7.0 ± 0.2 @ 25°C |
STAA Selective Supplement
Code: SR0151
Vial contents: (each vial is sufficient for 500ml of medium) | per vial | per litre |
Streptomycin sulphate | 250.0mg | 500.0mg |
Thallous acetate | 25.0mg | 50.0mg |
Cycloheximide | 25.0mg | 50.0mg |
STA Selective Supplement
Code: SR0162
Vial contents: (each vial is sufficient for 500ml of medium) | per vial | per litre |
Streptomycin sulphate | 250.0mg | 500.0mg |
Thallous acetate | 25.0mg | 50.0mg |
Directions
Suspend 18.5g of STAA Agar Base in 500ml distilled water and bring gently to the boil to dissolve completely. Add 7.5g of glycerol and sterilise by autoclaving at 121° C for 15 minutes. Cool to 50°C and aseptically add:
a) for STAA Medium the contents of 1 vial of STAA Selective Supplement SR0151 reconstituted as directed.
b) for STA Medium the contents of 1 vial of STA Selective Supplement SR0162 reconstituted as directed.
Mix well and distribute into sterile Petri dishes.
Description
STAA Medium CM0881+ SR0151 is based on the formulation described by Gardner2 and is recommended for the microbiological examination of meat and meat products in the ISO Standard 13722:1996. When made up as STA Medium CM0881+SR0162 it complies with the method described by the Nordic Committee on Food Analysis (NMKL)3.
Brochothrix thermosphacta is a Gram-positive, non-motile, facultatively anaerobic rod-shaped micro-organism which occurs singly, in short chains or in long filamentous-like chains. It constitutes a significant proportion of the spoilage flora of meat and meat products stored aerobically or vacuum packed at chill temperatures, and is occasionally the dominant organism. It is, therefore, responsible for some of the off-odours which signal the onset of spoilage in vacuum packed meat products.
Although Brochothrix thermosphacta is not considered to be pathogenic, it is an economically important meat-spoilage organism because it grows in a wide variety of meats and meat products and produces malodorous metabolic end products which make affected meat unpalatable1.
STAA Medium is made selective by the inclusion of streptomycin sulphate, thallous acetate and actidione (cycloheximide). STA Medium is modified from the original formulation by removal of the toxic selective agent cycloheximide as recommended by the NMKL. According to this method the medium is applicable for meat, meat products and some fish products.
Streptomycin sulphate inhibits some Gram-positive organisms and most Gram-negatives at higher concentrations, whilst Brochothrix thermosphacta remains resistant. Thallous acetate inhibits most yeasts as well as many aerobic and facultatively anaerobic bacteria. The incorporation of cycloheximide serves to further inhibit yeasts and filamentous fungi.
Technique
Homogenise the test sample in sterile 0.1% peptone water or Maximum Recovery Diluent CM0733 and prepare appropriate dilutions. Transfer 0.1ml volumes to the agar plate and spread across the surface. Incubate at 22°C for 48 hours aerobically. Typical colonies of Brochothrix thermosphacta will grow as straw coloured colonies, 0.5-1.0mm in diameter. Pseudomonads able to grow on STAA and STA Media may be differentiated from Brochothrix thermosphacta by performing an oxidase test using Oxoid Oxidase Touch Sticks BR0064. Pseudomonads are oxidase positive.
Storage conditions and Shelf life
Store the dehydrated medium at 10-30°C and use before the expiry date on the label.
Store the selective supplement in the dark at 2-8°C and use before the expiry date on the label.
The prepared medium may be stored for up to 2 weeks at 2-8°C.
Appearance
Dehydrated medium: Straw coloured free flowing powder
Prepared medium: Staw coloured gel
Quality control
Positive control: | Expected results |
Brochothrix thermosphacta ATCC® 11509* | Good growth straw colonies |
Negative control: | |
Staphylococcus aureus ATCC® 25923* | No growth |
Precautions
STAA Selective Supplement SR0151 contains cycloheximide and thallous acatate and is toxic if swallowed, inhaled or if in contact with skin.
STA Selective Supplement SR0162 contains thallous acatate and is toxic if swallowed, inhaled or if in contact with skin.
References
1.Sneath, P.H.A and D. Jones (1986) Genus Brochothrix. In: Bergey’s Manual of Systematic Bacteriology, Vol.2, pp.1249-1253. Sneath, P.H.A., Mair, N.S. et al. (eds.). Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore.
2.Gardner,G.A.(1966)J. Appl. Bacteriol. 29 (3), 455-460.
3.Nordic Committee on Food Analysis: Brochothrix thermosphacta. Determination in Meat and Meat Products, No.141, 1991.