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HiEncap™ MacConkey Agar w/o CV, NaCl w/0.5% Bile Salts
Intended Use
Recommended for cultivation and differentiation of enteric bacteria, restricting swarming of Proteus species from specimen samples
Composition**
| Ingredients | Gms / Litre |
|---|---|
| Peptone | 20.000 |
| Lactose | 10.000 |
| Bile salts | 5.000 |
| Neutral Red | 0.075 |
| Agar | 12.000 |
| Final pH (at 25°C) | 7.4±0.2 |
**Formula adjusted, standardized to suit performance parameters
Directions
Each capsule contains 11.77 gms of medium. Suspend 1 capsule in 250 ml (4 capsules in 1000 ml) distilled or purified water. Heat to boiling to dissolve the medium completely. Sterilize by autoclaving at 15 lbs pressure (121°C) for 15 minutes. Avoid overheating. Cool to 45-50°C and pour into sterile Petri plates. The surface of the medium should be dry when inoculated.
Principle And Interpretation
MacConkey Agar is the earliest selective and differential medium for cultivation of enteric microorganisms from a variety of clinical specimens (4,5). Subsequently MacConkey Agar was recommended for use in microbiological examination of foodstuffs (6) and for direct plating / inoculation of water samples for coliform counts (1). These media are also accepted by the Standard Methods for the Examination of Milk and Dairy Products (8) and pharmaceutical preparations (7). The original medium contains protein, bile salts, sodium chloride and two dyes. MacConkey Agar w/o CV, NaCl W/ 0.5% Bile Salts is a modification of the original formulation with the exception of crystal violet and sodium chloride. This medium prevents the swarming of Proteus species that are generally encountered in pathological specimens. Also potentially pathogenic gram-positive organisms can be isolated using this medium.
The selective action of this medium is attributed to bile salts, which are inhibitory to most species of gram-positive bacteria. Gram-negative bacteria usually grow well on the medium and are differentiated by their ability to ferment lactose. Lactose fermenting strains grow as red or pink and may be surrounded by a zone of acid precipitated bile. The red colour is due to production of acid from lactose, absorption of neutral red and a subsequent colour change of the dye when the pH of medium falls below 6.8. Lactose non-fermenting strains, such as Shigella and Salmonella are colourless and transparent and typically do not alter appearance of the medium. Yersinia enterocolitica may appear as small, non-lactose fermenting colonies after incubation at room temperature.
Type of specimen
Clinical samples - faeces, urine, Food and Dairy samples, Water samples.
Specimen Collection and Handling
For clinical samples follow appropriate techniques for handling specimens as per established guidelines (2,3). For food and dairy samples, follow appropriate techniques for sample collection and processing as per guidelines (6,8). For water samples, follow appropriate techniques for sample collection, processing as per guidelines and local standards(1). After use, contaminated materials must be sterilized by autoclaving before discarding.
Warning and Precautions
In Vitro diagnostic use. Read the label before opening the container. Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection. Follow good microbiological lab practices while handling specimens and culture. Standard precautions as per established guidelines should be followed while handling clinical specimens. Safety guidelines may be referred in individual safety data sheets.
Limitations
- The medium differentiates organisms on the basis of lactose fermentation. Further biochemical test must be carried out for confirmation.
- The surface of the medium should be dry before inoculation.
Performance and Evaluation
Performance of the medium is expected when used as per the direction on the label within the expiry period when stored at recommended temperature.
Quality Control
Appearance
Gelatin capsule containing light yellow to pink coloured granular media
Gelling
Firm, comparable with 1.2% Agar gel.
Colour and Clarity of prepared medium
Orange red coloured clear to slightly opalescent gel forms in Petri plates
Quantity
Each capsule contains 11.75 grams of medium sufficient for 250 ml media
Reaction
Reaction of 4.7% w/v aqueous solution at 25°C. pH: 7.4±0.2
pH
7.20-7.60
Cultural Response
Cultural characteristics observed after an incubation at 35-37°C for 18-24 hours.
| Organism | Inoculum (CFU) | Growth | Recovery | Colour of Colony |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 (00013*) | 50-100 | Luxuriant | >=50% | pink to red with bile precipitate |
| Klebsiella aerogenes ATCC 13048 (00175*) | 50-100 | Luxuriant | >=50% | pink to red |
| Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212 (00087*) | 50-100 | Fair to good | 30-40% | pale pink to red |
| Proteus vulgaris ATCC 13315 | 50-100 | Luxuriant | >=50% | colourless |
| Salmonella Paratyphi A ATCC 9150 | 50-100 | Luxuriant | >=50% | colourless |
| Shigella flexneri ATCC 12022 (00126*) | 50-100 | Fair to good | 30-40% | colourless |
| Salmonella Paratyphi B ATCC 8759 | 50-100 | Luxuriant | >=50% | colourless |
| Salmonella Enteritidis ATCC 13076 (00030*) | 50-100 | Luxuriant | >=50% | colourless |
| Salmonella Typhi ATCC 6539 | 50-100 | Luxuriant | >=50% | colourless |
| Staphylococcus aureus subsp. aureus ATCC 25923 (00034*) | 50-100 | fair-good | 30-40% | pale pink-red |
Key: *Corresponding WDCM numbers. #- Formerly known as Enterobacter aerogenes
Storage and Shelf Life
Store between 10-30°C in a tightly closed container and the prepared medium at 20-30°C. Use before expiry date on the label. On opening, product should be properly stored dry, after tightly capping the bottle in order to prevent lump formation due to the hygroscopic nature of the product. Improper storage of the product may lead to lump formation. Store in dry ventilated area protected from extremes of temperature and sources of ignition. Seal the container tightly after use. Product performance is best if used within stated expiry period.
Disposal
User must ensure safe disposal by autoclaving and/or incineration of used or unusable preparations of this product. Follow established laboratory procedures in disposing of infectious materials and material that comes into contact with clinical sample must be decontaminated and disposed of in accordance with current laboratory techniques (2,3).
| Product Name | HiEncap™ MacConkey Agar w/o CV, NaCl w/0.5% Bile Salts |
|---|---|
| SKU | EC082ACCL |
| Application/ Industry | Clinical, Food, Dairy, Water |
| Product Type | HiEncap™ |
| Physical Form | Granulated Media in Gelatin Capsule |
| Origin | Animal |
| Packaging type | HDPE Jar |
| References | 1. MacConkey, 1900, The Lancet, ii:20. 2. MacConkey, 1905, J. Hyg., 5:33 3. 3. Dwnes F. P. and Ito K. (Ed.), 2001, Compendium of Methods for the Microbiological Examination of Foods, 4th ed., APHA, Washington, D.C. 4. Greenberg A. E., Clesceri L. S. and Eaton A. D., (Eds.), 2005, Standard Methods for the Examination of Water andWastewater, 21st ed., APHA, Washington, D.C.5.Wehr H. M. and Frank J. H., 2004, Standard Methods for the Microbiological Examination of Dairy Products, 17th Ed., APHA Inc., Washington, D.C.6.The United States Pharmacopoeia XXI and the National Formulary, 16th ed., 1985, United States PharmacopoeialConvention, Inc., Washington, D.C. |
| Customized Product Available | No |








