R-2A Agar Plate

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SKU:
MP962


Intended Use

Recommended for heterotrophic plate count of water samples using longer incubation periods.

Composition

Ingredients g/L
Acicase# 0.500
Yeast extract 0.500
Proteose peptone 0.500
Dextrose (Glucose) 0.500
Starch soluble 0.500
Dipotassium hydrogen phosphate 0.300
Magnesium sulphate 0.024
Sodium pyruvate 0.300
Agar 15.000
Final pH (at 25°C) 7.2±0.2

**Formula adjusted, standardized to suit performance parameters

# Equivalent to Casein Acid Hydrolysate

Directions

Either streak, inoculate or surface spread the test inoculum (50-100 CFU) aseptically on the plate.

Principle And Interpretation

The heterotrophic plate count (HPC), formerly known as the standard plate count is a procedure for estimating the number of live heterotrophic bacteria in water and measuring changes during water treatment, in distribution systems or in swimming pools. R-2A Agar is recommended by APHA (1,2) for estimating the heterotrophic plate count by the pour plate, spread plate or membrane filter procedure. R-2A Agar is formulated as per Reasoner and Geldreich (3). Stressed or injured organisms during water treatment are unable to grow on high nutrient media, since the faster growing organisms outgrow the former (4). Therefore the use of a low nutrient medium like R-2A Agar incubated for longer incubation periods allows these stressed organisms to grow well.

Many bacteria from natural waters which contain limited nutrients at ambient temperature, grow best on the media with less nutrient levels. They grow better at the temperatures below the routine laboratory incubation temperatures of 35 to 37°C (4). Acicase, proteose peptone and yeast extract provide nitrogen, carbon compounds, vitamins, amino acids and minerals. Dextrose/ glucose serves as an energy source. Soluble starch aids in the recovery of injured organisms by absorbing toxic metabolic byproducts while sodium pyruvate increases the recovery of stressed cells. Magnesium sulphate is a source of divalent cations and sulphate. Dipotassium hydrogen phosphate is used to balance the pH of the medium. The number of colonies on a plate are reported as CFU (Colony Forming Units) per volume of sample.

Type of specimen

Water samples

Specimen Collection and Handling

For water samples, follow appropriate techniques for sample collection, processing as per guidelines and local standard (1). After use, contaminated materials must be sterilized by autoclaving before discarding.

Warning and Precautions

Read the label before opening the pack. 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 specimens. Safety guidelines may be referred in individual safety data sheets.

Limitations

  1. Individual organisms differ in their growth requirement and may show variable growth patterns on the medium
  2. Each lot of the medium has been tested for the organisms specified on the COA. It is recommended to users to validate the medium for any specific microorganism other than mentioned in the COA based on the user's unique requirement.
  3. Longer incubation time other than specified is required for slow growing microorganisms.
  4. The media is intended for water samples for recovery of stressed or injured organisms.
  5. It is recommended to store the plates at 24-30°C to avoid minimum condensation.

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 R-2A Agar in 90 mm disposable plates with smooth surface and absence of black particles/ cracks/bubbles

Colour of medium
Light yellow coloured medium

Quantity of medium
25 ml of medium in 90 mm disposable plates.

pH
7.00-7.40

Sterility Check
Passes release criteria

Cultural Response
Cultural characteristics observed *by using standard ATCC cultures after an incubation at 30-35°C for 24-72 hours. (*-In case of water samples from fields it is suggested to incubate further for upto 7 days to ascertain the absence of organisms)

Organism Inoculum (CFU) Growth Recovery
Candida albicans ATCC 10231 (00054*) 50-100 good-luxuriant >=50%
Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 (00013*) 50-100 good-luxuriant >=50%
Salmonella Enteritidis ATCC 13076 (00030*) 50-100 good-luxuriant >=50%
^Pseudomonas paraeruginosa ATCC 9027 (00026*) 50-100 good-luxuriant >=50%
Staphylococcus aureus subsp. aureus ATCC 6538 (00032*) 50-100 good-luxuriant >=50%
** Bacillus spizizenii ATCC 6633 (00003*) 50-100 good-luxuriant >=50%
#Aspergillus brasiliensis ATCC 16404 (00053*) 50-100 good-luxuriant >=50%
Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212 (00087*) 50-100 good-luxuriant >=50%
Salmonella Typhi ATCC 6539 50-100 good-luxuriant >=50%

Key : * Corresponding WDCM numbers,
**Formerly known as Bacillus subtilis subsp. spizizenii

^ Formerly known as Pseudomonas aeruginosa
# Formerly known as Aspergillus niger

Storage and Shelf Life

On receipt store between 20-30°C. Use before expiry date on the label. Product performance is best if used within stated expiry period.

More Information
Product Name R-2A Agar Plate
SKU MP962
Customized Product Available No
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