Bifidobacterium Broth

Intended Use

Recommended for cultivation of Bifidobacterium infantis.

Composition**

Final pH (at 25°C): 6.8±0.2

**Formula adjusted, standardized to suit performance parameters

Directions

Suspend 78.65 grams in 1000 ml purified / distilled water. Heat if necessary to dissolve the medium completely. Distribute in tubes or flasks as desired. Sterilize by autoclaving at 15lbs pressure for 15 minutes.

Principle And Interpretation

The genus Bifidobacterium is the third most numerous bacterial population found in the human intestine after Bacteroides and Eubacterium. It is an anaerobic bacteria that makes up the gut microbial flora, it resides in the colon and have health benefits for their hosts. Bifidobacteria are also associated with lower incidences of allergies (1,2). Bifidobacterium Broth is used for the cultivation and maintenance of Bifidobacterium species. The medium is used exclusively for the cultivation of Bifidobacterium infantis (3).

Tryptone, Peptone and yeast extract provides essential growth nutrients. Glucose is the energy source and sodium chloride maintains isotonic conditions. Tomato juice helps in maintaining acidic pH while polysorbate 80 provides fatty acids required for metabolic activity of Bifidobacterium.

Type of specimen

Clinical samples- faeces; Dairy samples.

Specimen Collection and Handling:

For clinical samples follow appropriate techniques for handling specimens as per established guidelines (4,5). For dairy samples, follow appropriate techniques for sample collection and processing as per guidelines (6,7). 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

• Further biochemical and serological tests must be carried out for complete identification.
• Bifidobacterium species are strict anaerobes, hence condition must be appropriately maintained.

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: Amber coloured clear solution in tubes

Reaction

Reaction of 7.86% w/v solution at 25°C. pH : 6.8±0.2

pH: 6.60-7.00

Cultural Response

Cultural characteristics observed after an incubation at 35-37°C for 24-48 hours.

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. 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 (4,5).

Reference

1. Bjorksten B., Sepp E., Julge K., Voor T., and Mikelsaar M., 2001, J. Allergy Clin. Microbiol., Volume 108, Issue 4, 516-520.
2. Guarner F., and Malagelada J. R., 2003, The Lancet, Vol. 361, Issue 9356, 8 February 2003, 512-519
3. Atlas R. M. 2004, 3rd Edi. Handbook of Microbiological Media, Parks, L. C. (Ed.), CRC Press, Boca Raton.4.
4. Isenberg, H.D. Clinical Microbiology Procedures Handbook 2nd Edition.
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., WashingtonD.C.
7. Wehr H. M. and Frank J. H., 2004, Standard Methods for the Microbiological Examination of Dairy Products, 17th Ed.,APHA Inc., Washington, D.C.