Phenol Red Mannitol Broth

Intended Use

Recommended for Mannitol fermentation studies of microorganisms.

Composition

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

Directions

Suspend 21.02 grams in 1000 ml purified / distilled water and 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 (8) and is recommended to determine the fermentation reaction of carbohydrates for the differentiation of microorganisms (1,2,6). 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 (7). Phenol Red Mannitol Broth is used to study mannitol fermentation in various bacteria.

Proteose peptone and HM peptone B serve as sources for carbon and nitrogen. Sodium chloride is the osmotic stabilizer. Phenol red is the pH indicator, which turns yellow at acidic pH i.e. on fermentation of mannitol. 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 (5).

Type of specimen

Isolated Microorganisms

Specimen Collection and Handling

For samples follow appropriate techniques for handling specimens as per established 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. This media is used confluence with other biochemical test to identify cultures of isolated microorganisms.
2. Further biochemical and serological tests must be carried out for further 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
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
Cultural characteristics observed after an incubation at 35-37°C for 18-24 hours.

Key: (*) Corresponding WDCM numbers.
(#) Formerly known as Enterobacter aerogenes

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 sample must be decontaminated and disposed of in accordance with current laboratory techniques (3,4).