Simmons Agar Base

Intended Use

Recommended as a synthetic medium for differentiation between faecal coliforms and members of the aerogenes group on the basis of citrate utilization.

Composition**

Final pH (at 25°C) 7.0±0.2

**Formula adjusted, standardized to suit performance parameters

Directions

Suspend 21.28 grams in 900 ml purified/distilled water. Heat to boiling to dissolve the medium completely. Add 100 ml of 0.2% solution of sodium citrate. Mix well and distribute in tubes or flasks as desired. Sterilize by autoclaving at 15 lbs pressure (121°C) for 15 minutes.

Principle And Interpretation

These media are used for the differentiation between Enterobacteriaceae and the members of aerogenes group on the basis of citrate utilization as sole carbon source. Initially the citrate medium was developed by Koser (1) containing ammonium salt as the only nitrogen source and citrate as the only carbon source for differentiating Escherichia coli and Enterobacter aerogenes by IMViC tests. Later on Simmons (2) modified Kosers formulation by adding agar and bromo thymol blue (3). It is recommended by APHA (4).

Ammonium dihydrogen phosphate and sodium citrate serve as the sole nitrogen and carbon source respectively. Microorganisms also use inorganic ammonium salts as their sole nitrogen source. Metabolism of these salts causes the medium to become alkaline, indicated by a change in colour of the pH indicator from green to blue. Bromothymol blue is the pH indicator. The medium should be freshly prepared because in dry conditions, changes in colour may appear even before inoculation, especially at the bottom of the slant.

Type of specimen

Isolated microorganism from clinical- faecal samples and non clinical samples.

Specimen Collection and Handling

For clinical samples follow appropriate techniques for handling specimens as per established guidelines (3,5). For food and dairy samples, follow appropriate techniques for sample collection and processing as per guidelines (6,7,8). For water samples, follow appropriate techniques for sample collection, processing as per guidelines and local standards (4). After use, contaminated materials must be sterilized by autoclaving before discarding.

Warning and Precautions

In Vitro diagnostic use. For professional use only. 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

1. The pH affects the performance of the medium and must be correctly monitored.

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 Cream to yellow homogeneous free flowing powder

Gelling Firm, comparable with 1.5% Agar gel

Colour and Clarity of prepared medium Forest green coloured clear to slightly opalescent gel forms in tubes as slants

Reaction Reaction of 2.13% w/v aqueous solution at 25°C pH : 7.0±0.2

pH 6.80-7.20

Cultural Response

Cultural characteristics observed after an incubation at 35-37°C for 18-24 hours with added 0.2% solution of Sodium citrate.

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 (3,5).

Reference

1. Koser, 1923, J. Bact., 8:493.
2. Simmons, 1926, J. Infect. Dis., 39:209.
3. Isenberg, H.D. Clinical Microbiology Procedures Handbook 2nd Edition.
4. Lipps WC, Braun-Howland EB, Baxter TE, eds. Standard methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 24th ed. Washington DC:APHA Press; 2023.
5. Jorgensen, J.H., Pfaller, M.A., Carroll, K.C., Funke, G., Landry, M.L., Richter, S.S and Warnock., D.W. (2015) Manual of Clinical Microbiology, 11th Edition. Vol. 1.
6. American Public Health Association, Standard Methods for the Examination of Dairy Products, 1978, 14th Ed., Washington D.C.
7. Salfinger Y., and Tortorello M.L., 2015, Compendium of Methods for the Microbiological Examination of Foods, 5th Ed., American Public Health Association, Washington, D.C.
8. Wehr H. M. and Frank J. H., 2004, Standard Methods for the Microbiological Examination of Dairy Products, 17th Ed., APHA Inc., Washington, D.C.