HiMedia Laboratories GmbH, Marie-Curie-Str. 3, 64683, Einhausen, Germany.
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Intended Use
Recommended for detection of urease production, particularly by Proteus vulgaris, Micrococci and paracolon organisms.
Composition
| Ingredients | g/L |
|---|---|
| Peptone | 1.000 |
| Dextrose (Glucose) | 1.000 |
| Sodium chloride | 5.000 |
| Disodium hydrogen phosphate | 1.200 |
| Potassium dihydrogen phosphate | 0.800 |
| Phenol red | 0.012 |
| Agar | 15.000 |
| U40 Supplement (FD048) | 5 ml per vial |
| Final pH (at 25°C) | 6.8±0.2 |
**Formula adjusted, standardized to suit performance parameters
Directions
Streak the test inoculum aseptically into the slant and incubate at appropriate conditions. Incubate the slants at 35-37°C for 18-24 hours.
Principle And Interpretation
Urea Agar is used to detect urease production. Urea Agar described by Christensen (1,2) detected urease activity by all rapidly urease-positive Proteus organisms and also by other members of Enterobacteriaceae (1) that exhibited a delayed urease reaction (3). This was accomplished by :
- a) adding glucose to the medium.
- b) decreasing the peptone concentration and
- c) decreasing the buffering system, as a less buffered medium detects even smaller amount of alkali (4).
Peptone is the source of essential nutrients. Dextrose is the energy source. Sodium chloride maintains the osmotic equilibrium of the medium whereas phosphates serve to buffer the medium. Urea is hydrolyzed to liberate ammonia. Phenol red indicator detects the alkalinity generated by visible colour change from orange to pink.
Prolonged incubation may cause alkaline reaction in the medium. A medium without urea serves as negative control to rule out false positive results. Also, all urea test media rely on the alkalinity formation and so they are not specific for determining the absolute rate of urease activity (3). The utilization of proteins may raise the pH to alkalinity due to protein hydrolysis and excess of amino acids liberation results in false positive reaction.
Type of specimen
Isolated microorganism from clinical, food and water samples.
Specimen Collection and Handling
For food and dairy samples, follow appropriate techniques for sample collection and processing as per guidelines (5,6,7).
For water samples, follow appropriate techniques for sample collection, processing as per guidelines and local standards (8).
For clinical samples follow appropriate techniques for handling specimens as per established guidelines (9,10).
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
- Prolonged incubation may cause alkaline reaction in the medium.
- Also, all urea test media rely on the alkalinity formation and so they are not specific for determining the absolute rate of urease activity (3).
- The utilization of proteins may raise the pH to alkalinity due to protein hydrolysis and excess of amino acids liberation results in false positive reaction.
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
Sterile Urea agar slant in glass tube.
Colour of medium
Yellowish orange coloured slant
Quantity of medium
8ml of medium in glass tube
pH
6.60-7.00
Sterility check
Passes release criteria
Cultural Response
Cultural characteristics observed after an incubation at 35-37°C for 18-24 hours.
| Organism | Urease |
|---|---|
| Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 (00013*) | negative reaction, no change |
| # Klebsiella aerogenes ATCC 13048 (00175*) | negative reaction, no change |
| Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 13883 (00097*) | positive reaction, cerise colour |
| Proteus mirabilis ATCC 25933 | positive reaction, cerise colour |
| $ Proteus hauseri ATCC 13315 | positive reaction, cerise colour |
| Salmonella Typhimurium ATCC 14028 (00031*) | negative reaction, no change |
Key: * Corresponding WDCM numbers.
# Formerly known as Enterobacter aerogenes
$ Formerly known as Proteus vulgaris
Storage and Shelf Life
On receipt store between 2-8°C. Use before expiry date on the label. 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 (9,10).
| Product Name | Urea Agar Slant in tubes |
|---|---|
| SKU | SL035T |
| Customized Product Available | No |
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