Nutrient agar (500g, Oxoid) is a culture media that used to cultivate and isolate fastidious pathogens and other microorganisms. This non-selective medium contains beef extracts combined with peptone, yeast extracts and sodium chloride to provide the nitrogen compounds, carbon, vitamins and some trace ingredients necessary for the growth of bacteria. A general-purpose medium which may be enriched with up to 10% blood or other biological fluid.
Nutrient Agar, Oxoid Composition
| Typical Formula * |
gm/litre
|
| `Lab-Lemco’ powder |
1.0 |
| Yeast extract |
2.0 |
| Peptone |
5.0 |
| Sodium chloride |
5.0 |
| Agar |
15.0 |
| pH 7.4 ± 0.2 @ 25°C |
Nutrient Agar, Oxoid Preparation:
Powder: Suspend 28g of nutrient agar in 1 litre of distilled water. Bring to the boil to dissolve completely. Sterilise by autoclaving at 121°C for 15 minutes.
Storage conditions and Shelf life
Store the dehydrated medium at 10-30°C and use before the expiry date on the label.
Store the prepared medium at 2-8°C.
