M-FC Agar Base, Modified, 2.5KG

M-FC Agar Base, Modified is used for the enumeration of Klebsiella using membrane filter technique. Klebsiella are widely distributed in nature, occurring in soil, water, grains, vegetation etc. Wood pulp, paper mills, textile finishing plants and sugarcane processing operations contain large numbers of Klebsiella in their effluents and are often in the predominant coliform in such effluents. M-FC Agar, Modified is formulated as per APHA (1) for enumeration of Klebsiella. M-FC Agar is modified by replacing lactose by inositol and adding Carbenicillin. Proteose peptone, tryptose and yeast extract in the medium provide necessary nutrients for the growth of faecal coliforms. Inositol is the fermentable carbohydrate and the carbon source in the medium. Bile salts mixture inhibits the growth of contaminating gram-positive microorganisms. Aniline blue is a triphenyl methane dye, which suppresses the growth of many gram-positive microorganisms. Also, along with rosolic acid it forms the indicator system in the medium. Carbenicillin inhibits accompanying coliforms and other bacteria and helps in selective isolation of Klebsiella species. Sample volume is selected to yield 20 to 60 Klebsiella colonies per membrane. This membrane filter is aseptically placed on agar surface. Occasional false positive results may be occurred due to Enterobacter species. Klebsiella colonies appear deep blue to blue grey due to aniline blue present in the medium. Klebsiella colonies will form blue or bluish gray colored. Presumptive colonies should be further confirmed by performing the biochemical tests. Storage and Shelf-life: Store below 30°C in tightly closed container and use freshly prepared medium. Use before expiry date on the label.