• Home |
• Contacts |
• Quality Standards |
• Instructions for Use |
• Careers

• Anaerobic Systems
• Antibiotic Sensitivity Testing
• Culture Media, Supplements and Raw Materials
• • Are there any guidelines for preparation and reconstitution of culture media?
  • Are there any guidelines for sterilising culture media?
  • Can I prepare culture media in a microwave?
  • Can I store selective supplements after reconstitution?
  • How can I re-melt solid media?
  • How long can I store culture media after preparation?
  • How should I dispose of used culture media?
  • How should I test the pH of culture media?
  • My culture medium does not look right - what has gone wrong?
  • My culture medium is not performing correctly - what has gone wrong?
  • Should I boil media before autoclaving?
  • What are the main components of culture media?
  • What exactly is agar?
  • What grade of water should I use to prepare culture media?
  • What is the shelf life of dehydrated culture media after the pot has been opened?
  • What quality control testing should I carry out on culture media?
  • Which blood product should I choose to make blood agar?
• Diagnostic Reagents
• Dipslides
• General
• Toxin Detection

OXOID TECHNICAL SUPPORT DEPARTMENT GUIDELINES

SHELF LIFE OF DEHYDRATED CULTURE MEDIA

The quoted expiry date on the label of Oxoid dehydrated products refers to the shelf life when the product remains in an unopened state. The total shelf life is typically 3-5 years.

Once opened, the total shelf life of Dehydrated Culture Media, Peptones and Hydrolysates is automatically reduced. The shelf life will depend on the frequency of opening and the atmospheric conditions. Deterioration of particularly hygroscopic products may be observed within six months of opening.

Dehydrated media should be examined carefully after several months of opening to ensure maintenance of physical integrity and should only be used if they still appear free-flowing. Confirmation of the performance of selective and ‘shorter shelf life’ media, using positive and negative microbiological control strains, should be considered after such extended periods of opening.

In order to maximise the storage of Dehydrated Culture Media, ensure that containers are not stored in areas of high humidity, e.g. autoclave areas.