Description
Description
Brain Heart Infusion Broth is a liquid medium used for the cultivation of fastidious and non-fastidious microorganisms, including aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, from clinical specimens, food, and environmental samples. It's especially suited for cultivating coagulase-positive staphylococci for the plasma coagulase test per ISO 6888, and is recommended by the APHA for water and wastewater examination and by the CLSI for preparing inocula used in antimicrobial susceptibility tests.
Preparation
- Dehydrated medium: suspend 37 g of the powder in 1 liter of distilled or deionized water, heat to boiling with frequent shaking until fully dissolved, distribute into final containers, then sterilize in an autoclave at 121°C for 15 minutes
- If culturing directly from a swab, insert the swab into the broth after inoculating plated media; for liquid specimens, transfer a loopful into the broth using a sterile loop or aseptic pipette
- Examine for growth after 24–72 hours of incubation
- For anaerobic incubation, reduce the media before inoculating by holding loosely capped tubes under anaerobic conditions for 18–24 hours, or by bringing the media to 100°C in a boiling water bath, loosening caps before heating and tightening on cooling
- For the plasma coagulase test (ISO 6888): inoculate tubes with a selected colony from Baird Parker Agar, incubate at 37 ± 1°C for 24 ± 2 hours, add 0.1 mL of each culture to 0.3 mL of rabbit plasma, then examine after 4–6 hours at 37°C for clotting
- Turbidity indicates microbial growth; the coagulase test is positive if the clot volume exceeds half the original liquid volume
Reference Standards
- APHA (2012), Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater
- CLSI document M22-A3, Quality Control for Commercially Prepared Microbiological Culture Media (3rd ed., 2004)
- ISO 6888-3:2003 — Horizontal method for the enumeration of coagulase-positive staphylococci
Storage & Shelf Life
The powder is hygroscopic — store at 10–30°C in a dry environment, in its original container tightly closed. Store bottles and tubes at 10–25°C away from light. Do not use beyond the expiry date on the label or if the product shows signs of contamination or deterioration.
Handling
For professional in vitro diagnostic use only, by properly trained operators. Consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for hazard and safe-handling information, and verify the current Instructions for Use (IFU) revision before use.
Manufacturer catalogue code: 26104.
Payment & Security