M-Brilliant Green Broth, 5 kg

Salmonella is a gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, non-sporulating, rod in the family Enterobacteriaceae . They are widely distributed in animals affecting mainly the stomach and the intestines. These organisms are difficult to differentiate biochemically from Escherichia coli . Geldreich and Jeter (1) developed membrane screening technique. Kabler and Clark (2) applied M-Brilliant Green Broth for primary screening of Salmonella in polluted water. This selective differential medium is a modification of Brilliant Green Agar without agar in double strength (3). Salmonella are unable to ferment either lactose or saccharose in the medium. This allows identification of accompanying weakly lactose-positive or lactosenegative, but saccharose positive microorganisms. Proteose peptone and yeast extract in the medium are sources of carbon, nitrogen, vitamins and minerals. Lactose and saccharose are the carbon and energy sources. Sodium chloride provides essential ions. Phenol red is the pH indicator. Brilliant green inhibits gram-positive and most of the gram-negative bacteria except Salmonella . In this technique, suitable and known quantity of water is passed through membrane filter and this filter is then kept on an absorbent pad saturated with M-Tetrathionate Broth (M1115). It is then incubated in humid atmosphere for 3 hours at 35°C and then the membrane is transferred to another absorbent pad saturated with M-Brilliant Green Broth and the incubation is continued for 15 more hours at 35°C. After the total of 18 hours incubation, the membrane is transferred to a fresh pad soaked in urease test reagent (20 grams urea, 0.16 grams bromothymol blue, 0.2 grams phenol red, all components in 1 litre of distilled water). Urease test reagent is recommended for use in the membrane filter technique for screening of Salmonella . Urease test reaction is recorded after 20 minutes. Purple colonies that are urease positive and lactose and saccharose negative, are probably of Proteus species. Yellow colonies that are urease negative and lactose or saccharose positive are coliforms. Pink to red colonies that are urease negative and lactose and saccharose negative are probably enteric pathogens. Since the urease color reaction will eventually diffuse over the entire membrane surface, it is recommended that selection of red or pink colonies, for further subculture and serological tests to be done within 15-30 minutes after diffusion of reagent. Storage and Shelf-life: Store below 30°C in tightly closed container and the prepared medium at 2-8°C. Use before expiry date on the label. References: 1. Geldreich E. E. and Jeter M. L., 1952, Bact. Proc. SAB, Boston, P.33. 2. Kabler P. W. and Clark H. F., 1952, American J. Publ. Hlth., 42:390. 3. Kauffmann F., 1935, Z. Hyg. Infektionskr., 117:26.