Antibiotic Assay Medium No. 3, 2.5 kg

Antibiotic Assay Medium is used in the performance of antibiotic assays. Grove and Randall have elucidated those antibiotic assays and media in their comprehensive treatise on antibiotic assays (1). Antibiotic Assay Medium No. 3 (Assay Broth) is used in the microbiological assay of different antibiotics in pharmaceutical and food products by the turbidimetric method. Ripperre et al reported that turbidimetric methods for determining the potency of antibiotics are inherently more accurate and more precise than agar diffusion procedures (2). Turbidimetric antibiotic assay is based on the change or inhibition of growth of a test microorganims in a liquid medium containing a uniform concentration of an antibiotic. After incubation of the test organism in the working dilutions of the antibiotics, the amount of growth is determined by measuring the light transmittance using spectrophotometer. The concentration of antibiotic is determined by comparing amounts of growth obtained with that given by the reference standard solutions. Use of this method is appropriate only when test samples are clear. Peptic digest of animal tissue, beef extract and yeast extract provides essential nutrients and growth factors for enhanced microbial growth. Sodium chloride maintains the osmotic equilibrium of the medium and retains the cell viability and cell integrity. Phosphates in the medium provide good buffering action. Dextrose serves as the carbon and energy source. All conditions in the microbiological assay must be controlled carefully. The use of standard culture media in the test is one of the important steps for the good results. Storage and Shelf-life: Store below 30°C in a tightly closed container and use freshly prepared medium . Use before expiry date on label. References: 1. Grove and Randall, 1955, Assay Methods of Antibiotics Medical Encyclopedia, Inc. New York. 2. Rippere R. A.. Some principles of microbiological turbidimetric assays of antibiotics. J. Assoc. off. Anal. Chem. 1979 62(4):951-6.