Brewer Thioglycollate Medium

Intended use

Brewer Thioglycollate Medium is used for testing the sterility of biological products and for isolation of aerobic and anerobic organisms

Composition**

Final pH (at 25°C): 7.2±0.2

**Formula adjusted, standardized to suit performance parameters # Equivalent to Beef, infusion from

Directions

Suspend 40.5 grams in 1000 ml purified/distilled water. Heat to boiling to dissolve the medium completely. Dispense in tubes or in suitable containers as desired and sterilize by autoclaving at 15 lbs pressure (121°C) for 15 minutes.

Note: If more than the upper one third layer acquires bluish-green colour (absorbs oxygen), the dissolved oxygen can be removed by heating the medium in free flowing steam for 5-10 minutes or in a water bath untill the green colour disappears, and the prepared medium should be stored in the dark till use.

Principle And Interpretation

Brewer thioglycollate medium is prepared as per the original formula of Brewer (1, 2).

It contains highly nutritious proteose peptone and HM infusion that provides carbon, nitrogen substances, long chain amino acids, vitamins and minerals which support luxuriant growth of even fastidious bacteria. Sodium thioglycollate helps to create anaerobic condition as well as neutralizes toxicity of mercurial compounds if present in the inoculum of the test material. Sodium chloride maintains the osmotic equilibrium while dipotassium phosphate buffers the medium. Very small amount of agar present maintains anaerobic conditions at the bottom of the broth. Methylene blue indicates oxygen content of the medium by exhibiting bluish-green colour to the medium in presence of oxygen.

The uninoculated medium shows bluish green colour at the top indicating presence of oxygen in that part. Organisms that ferment dextrose and lower the pH to critical levels may not survive in this medium after growth has taken place.

Type of specimen

Industrial samples for sterility testing.

Specimen Collection and Handling:

For Industrial samples, follow appropriate techniques for sample collection, processing as per guidelines (3,4) .

After use, contaminated materials must be sterilized by autoclaving before discarding.

Warning and Precautions :

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 specimens. Safety guidelines may be referred in individual safety data sheets.

Limitations :

1. It is intended for the examination of clear liquid or water-soluble materials.
2. Further biochemical testing is required for complete identification.

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

Colour and Clarity of prepared medium: Yellow coloured clear to slightly opalescent fluid with upper 10% or less medium bluish green on standing.

Reaction: Reaction of 4.05% w/v aqueous solution at 25°C. pH: 7.2±0.2

pH: 7.00-7.40

Cultural Response

Cultural characteristics observed after an incubation at 35-37°C for 18-48 hours. (Clostridium and Bacteroides species incubated anaerobically)

Key: (*) Corresponding WDCM numbers.

Storage and Shelf Life

Store between 10-30°C in a tightly closed container and the prepared medium at 15-25°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. 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 sample must be decontaminated and disposed of in accordance with current laboratory techniques (3,4).

Reference

1. Brewer J. H., 1940, J. Bacteriol., 39:10
2. Brewer J. H., 1940, J.A.Μ.Α., 115:598.
3. Isenberg, H.D. Clinical Microbiology Procedures Handbook. 2nd Edition.
4. Jorgensen, J.H., Pfaller M.A., Carroll, K.C., Funke, Andry, M. Richter, S.S and Warnock., D.W. (2015) Manual of Clinical Microbiology, 11th Edition. Vol. 1.