Phenol Red Inulin Broth

Intended use

Recommended for inulin fermentation studies of microorganisms.

Composition**

Final pH (at 25°C): 7.4±0.2

**Formula adjusted, standardized to suit performance parameters

# Equivalent to Beef extract

Directions

Suspend 21.02 grams in 1000 ml distilled water, mix well. Heat if necessary to dissolve the medium completely. Distribute in fermentation tubes (tubes containing inverted Durham's tubes). Sterilize by autoclaving at 15 lbs pressure (121°C) for 15 minutes.

Principle And Interpretation

Phenol Red Broth Medium is formulated as per Vera (2) and is recommended to determine the fermentation reaction of carbohydrates for the differentiation of microorganisms (3, 4, 5). Phenol Red Broth Medium with various carbohydrates serves as a differential medium by aiding in differentiation of various species and genera by their ability to ferment the specific carbohydrate, with the production of acid or acid and gas (6). Phenol Red Inulin Broth is used to study inulin fermentation in various bacteria.

Proteose peptone and HM Peptone B serve as sources for carbon and nitrogen, long chain amino acids, vitamins and other essential nutrients. Sodium chloride is the osmotic stabilizer. Phenol red is the pH indicator, which turns yellow at acidic pH i.e. on fermentation of Inulin. Gas formation is seen in Durhams tubes. All of the Enterobacteriaceae grow well in this medium. In addition to producing a pH colour shift, the production of mixed acids, notably butyric acids, often results in a pungent, foul odour from the culture medium (1).

Type of specimen

Pure bacterial isolate

Specimen Collection and Handling

Follow appropriate techniques for sample collection, processing as per guidelines (3,4,5). 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. Due to variable nutritional requirements, some strains show poor growth on this medium.

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: Light yellow to pink coloured homogeneous free flowing powder

Colour and Clarity of prepared medium: Red coloured clear solution without any precipitate

Reaction: Reaction of 2.1% w/v aqueous solution at 25°C. pH : 7.4±0.2

pH: 7.20-7.60

Cultural Response: M2066: Cultural characteristics observed after an incubation at 35-37°C for 18-24 hours (longer if necessary).

Storage and Shelf Life

Store between 10-30°C in a tightly closed container and the prepared medium at 2-8°C. Use before expiry date on the label. On opening, product should be properly stored dry, after tightly capping the bottle inorder 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 (7,8).

Reference

1. Koneman E. W., Allen S. D., Janda W.M., Schreckenberger P.C., Winn W.C. Jr., 1992, Colour Atlas and Textbook of Diagnostic Microbiology, 4th Ed., J. B. Lippinccott Company
2. Vera H. D., 1950, Am. J. Public Health, 40, 1267
3. MacFaddin J. F., 1985, Media for Isolation-Cultivation-Identification -Maintenanceof Medical Bacteria, Vol. I, Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore.
4. Finegold S. M. and Baron E. J., 1986, Bailey and Scotts Diagnostic Microbiology, 7th Ed., The C.V. Mosby Co., St. Louis.
5. Ewing W. H., 1986, Edwards and Ewings Identification of Enterobacteriaceae, 4th ed.,Elsevier Science Publishing Co., Inc., New York.
6. MacFaddin J. F., 2000, Biochemical tests for Identification of Medical Bacteria, 3rd edi., Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore.
7. Isenberg, H.D. Clinical Microbiology Procedures Handbook. 2nd Edition.
8. 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.