Trypticasein Soy Agar is a general-purpose medium that has very rich nutrients for general use in a microbiological lab, for cultivation and isolation of fastidious or non-fastidious microorganisms, as well as for maintenance of stock culture. This agar can support an abundance of growth in fastidious organisms such as pneumococci, streptococci, Neisseria, etc. from clinical samples.
It contains two peptones as rich nitrogen sources, is obtained by the enzymatic hydrolysis of casein and soy proteins, as well as soy peptone to contain natural sugars that promotes bacterial growth. The sodium chloride supplies essential electrolytes for transport and osmotic balance. This bacteriological agar is a solidifying agent. Since this medium lacks carbohydrates, it can be useful in the study of hemolytic reactions and the preparation of chocolate agar. Antibiotics can be incorporated also as well as other supplements or inhibitory agents.
