Soybean-Casein Digest Agar Medium - BioReagent

Cat. No.: S1528732

GRADE & PURITY BioReagent

Storage

Room temperature

Shipped In

Normal

Übersicht

Also known as Tryptic Soy Agar (TSA) (large package)

Specifications

Spezifikationen & Reinheit

BioReagent

Storage

Room temperature

Verschickt in

Normal

Note

BioReagent

Product Line

Biologische Produkte

Application Protocols

The following are general, literature-based procedures. They are not item-specific specifications. Adjust per your SOPs and validation.

A. Plate preparation (literature/general)

• Weigh medium: typically 40 g per liter of purified water (item-specific amount Not specified; verify with CoA/Spec Sheet).
• Disperse and dissolve with heat and stirring; do not boil excessively.
• Autoclave at 121 °C for 15 min.
• Cool to 45–50 °C; if needed, aseptically add supplements (e.g., neutralizers, blood).
• Pour 20–25 mL per 100 mm plate; allow to solidify; dry plates to remove surface moisture. Store inverted.

B. Environmental monitoring (settle/contact plates)

• Expose settle plates per site EM plan (e.g., 1–4 h), then close and incubate at defined temperature(s). For contact plates, press gently onto the surface, avoiding smearing; replace lid immediately.

C. Sample plating and incubation

• Streak or spread 100 µL of sample/serial dilutions onto plate surfaces. Incubate under method-defined conditions (e.g., 30–35 °C, 24–72 h; literature). Enumerate CFU and record morphology.

D. Quality checks

• Perform growth promotion testing with representative strains as required by your quality system. Record lot number, pH, gel clarity, and incubation conditions.

Biological Roles

This product is not a single biomolecule but a nutrient medium that supports microbial growth. Biological roles are functional and ecosystem-like rather than molecular.

Literature/general context:

• Carbon and energy sources: Short peptides and amino acids from casein and soybean digests fuel biosynthesis and energy metabolism in a wide variety of heterotrophs.
• Ionic/osmotic balance: NaCl and buffering salts maintain physiological osmolarity and pH near neutrality (commonly ~pH 7.3 after sterilization; literature), favoring recovery of environmental and product-associated microbes.
• Solid support: Agar provides a biologically inert, non-nutritive matrix enabling colony isolation, enumeration, and morphological assessment.
• Non-selective profile: Absence of selective inhibitors promotes broad-spectrum recovery, making the medium suitable as a base for performance qualification (e.g., growth promotion testing with representative strains; specific organisms for this item are not specified).

Use limitations:

• Not designed for strict anaerobes unless used in anaerobic systems.
• Fastidious organisms may require enrichment (e.g., blood or growth factors).

All uses are for research and laboratory quality control; no clinical diagnostic or therapeutic claims are made.

Buffer Applications

This product is a nutrient agar, not a dedicated buffering system. However, buffering capacity is relevant to its performance.

• Purpose: Maintain near-neutral pH during sterilization and incubation to support wide microbial recovery (literature/general).
• Typical medium pH (literature): ~7.3 ± 0.2 at 25 °C after autoclaving; actual value for this item is Not specified; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
• Practical notes:
  • Use purified water and accurate weighing to achieve the intended pH and clarity.
  • Overheating or excessive autoclave time can cause Maillard reactions and darkening, potentially reducing growth recovery.
  • If selective pressure or alternative pH is desired, choose a dedicated buffer system or a different medium; TSA itself is non-selective and only lightly buffered.

Because this is not a buffer concentrate, detailed buffer recipes and capacity metrics are not applicable. For pH-critical applications, validate pH post-sterilization and adjust by choosing an appropriate medium rather than titrating TSA.

Green Alternatives

While Soybean-Casein Digest Agar is not a solvent or reagent with classic green-chemistry metrics, sustainability considerations still apply.

Greenness considerations (literature/general):

• Aqueous system: Reconstitution uses water, avoiding organic solvents.
• Ambient shipping and storage: Room-temperature stability reduces cold-chain demand.
• Renewable components: Agar (marine polysaccharide) and soy peptones are renewable; casein is animal-derived.

Potential alternatives/trade-offs:

| Option | Sustainability angle | Trade-offs | |---|---|---| | TSA formulated with plant-only peptones (animal-component-free) | Reduces animal-derived inputs | May alter recovery of some organisms; requires validation | | Ready-to-use pre-poured plates | Minimizes in-lab energy/water for sterilization | Increased packaging waste and shipping mass | | Reusable glassware + bulk media | Cuts single-use plastics | Requires washing/sterilization resources | | Neutralizing TSA for disinfectant residues | Improves recovery in cleaning validations (fewer repeats) | Added components; must validate performance |

Recommendation: Choose the format (dehydrated powder vs pre-poured) and component profile that minimizes waste in your workflow while meeting validated recovery requirements. Document any media changes with appropriate growth promotion testing.

Pharmaceutical Uses

No therapeutic or clinical use is claimed. In a pharmaceutical/biotech laboratory context, Soybean-Casein Digest Agar is widely employed for quality control and environmental monitoring (literature/general), subject to method validation.

Representative uses (non-compendial unless qualified):

• Environmental monitoring of cleanrooms (settle plates, contact plates)
• Bioburden testing of raw materials, in-process samples, and utilities (e.g., rinse waters)
• Growth promotion testing (GPT) as a non-selective recovery medium
• Aseptic process simulations (as a base medium for media fills when used in broth form; agar used for plating steps)

Compendial context (literature/general):

• TSA (soybean–casein digest media) are referenced in USP/EP/JP monographs and chapters for microbiological examinations. However, compliance is formulation- and supplier-specific. For this catalog item, compendial conformity, GPT organisms, and acceptance criteria are Not specified; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.

Note: Final suitability must be established by the end user under their quality system. This product is for research use only per Product Data.

Physical Properties

Item-specific physical specifications are not provided for this catalog entry. Where useful, typical literature values for Soybean-Casein Digest Agar (TSA) are summarized for context only.

Item-specific values:

• Appearance: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
• Molecular weight / formula: Not applicable (complex mixture)

Literature/general properties (non-spec, typical ranges):

• Physical form (dehydrated): free-flowing beige to light tan powder
• Solubility: readily dispersible in purified/deionized water with heating; forms a clear to slightly opalescent gel after sterilization and cooling
• Typical working concentration: ~40 g/L (literature) to prepare standard TSA plates or slants
• Typical pH (at 25 °C, after sterilization): ~7.3 ± 0.2 (literature)
• Gelation: solidifies around 40–45 °C; melts above 85–90 °C (driven by agar fraction; literature)
• Density/bulk density (powder): varies by lot and manufacturer; Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
• Refractive index, logP, pKa: not meaningful for a heterogeneous solid mixture

Important: Do not treat the above as specifications. For exact lot-specific attributes (appearance, pH, gel clarity/strength), consult the product’s CoA/Spec Sheet.

Quality and Grades

• Grade on this item: BioReagent
  • Meaning (general): Suitable for biological and microbiological research workflows where reliable performance and low bioburden/contaminants are required. BioReagent media are intended for research use and laboratory QC—not for clinical diagnostics or therapeutic use.
• What to expect from BioReagent-grade dehydrated media:
  • Consistent nutrient profile and gel performance (clarity/strength) appropriate for routine culture and enumeration
  • Controlled bioburden/endotoxin for research purposes (limits vary by vendor/spec; Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.)
  • Lot-specific growth promotion testing (GPT) results are typically provided by many suppliers (organisms and acceptance criteria vary). For this item, acceptance organisms/criteria are Not specified; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
• Stabilizers/antimicrobials: None typically added to dehydrated TSA formulations (literature). Any inhibitors or supplements would be added by the end user as needed; for this item, such additives are Not specified.
• Shipping/handling: Shipped at ambient temperature (Normal) per Product Data. Maintain container integrity to prevent moisture uptake.
• Documentation to consult for precise specifications:
  • CoA/Spec Sheet for pH after sterilization, clarity, gel strength, and GPT
  • SDS for safety classification and handling notes

Research use only: per Product Data, this medium is designated For research use only.

Reaction and Applications

Classical synthetic chemistry “reactions” do not apply. Instead, relevant applications concern microbiological culture and environmental monitoring.

Applied uses (literature/general):

• General-purpose cultivation of aerobic and facultative bacteria and some yeasts/fungi
• Surface and air monitoring when cast as settle plates or used with contact plates (RODAC-style surfaces)
• Enumeration of bioburden in non-sterile products, rinse waters, and process surfaces (non-compendial unless validated in-house)
• Recovery of sublethally stressed organisms by providing a non-selective, nutrient-rich surface
• Base matrix for supplementation (blood, antibiotics, neutralizers) to create enriched or neutralizing media

Practical tips:

• Employ aseptic technique post-sterilization. Keep molten agar at ~45–50 °C before pouring plates to minimize condensation and preserve viability of heat-sensitive supplements (literature).
• For environmental monitoring, consider adding neutralizers (e.g., lecithin, polysorbate 80) when sampling surfaces exposed to disinfectants (formulation varies; literature).
• Validate incubation temperature and time according to organism(s) of interest or relevant guidelines.

All uses are for research and laboratory quality control purposes only; no clinical or diagnostic claims are made for this item.

Reaction Conditions

Classical reaction conditions (solvent, catalyst, temperature, yields) are not relevant to this culture medium. For experimental conditions related to medium preparation and use, see Application Protocols and Storage & Reconstitution. Key operational parameters (literature/general) include:

• Hydration: disperse in purified water at the recommended concentration (typical TSA ~40 g/L; item-specific instructions Not specified)
• Sterilization: Autoclave at 121 °C for 15 minutes (standard gravity-displacement cycle; literature). Avoid overprocessing to preserve clarity and nutrient quality.
• Pouring temperature: ~45–50 °C to minimize condensation and protect heat-sensitive supplements (literature)
• Incubation: temperature/time depend on target organisms and methods (e.g., 30–35 °C for 24–72 h; literature); validate per protocol

Treat these as general guidance, not item specifications. Always align with your method validation and institutional SOPs.

Safety and Handling

• GHS classification, signal word, pictograms, H/P statements: Not specified for this item; refer to SDS.
• General hazards (literature/practice):
  • Low inherent chemical hazard expected for typical dehydrated culture media; however, dust may cause mechanical irritation to eyes/respiratory tract. Avoid inhalation and contact.
  • After preparation and use, media may harbor viable microorganisms. Treat used plates/broths as biohazardous waste; autoclave or disinfect prior to disposal according to institutional biosafety procedures.
• PPE recommendations (good laboratory practice): Lab coat, gloves, safety glasses; use a dust mask/respirator if dust generation cannot be controlled.
• Handling tips:
  • Weigh in a fume hood or ventilated enclosure to minimize dust exposure.
  • Use purified water and clean vessels to avoid background contamination.
  • Maintain aseptic technique post-sterilization to preserve sterility.
• Storage incompatibilities: Store away from moisture and strong oxidizers; keep container tightly closed to prevent clumping and contamination.
• First aid overview (general):
  • Eye/skin contact: Rinse with water. Remove contaminated clothing.
  • Inhalation: Move to fresh air; seek medical attention if irritation persists.
  • Ingestion: Rinse mouth; seek medical advice if unwell.

Always consult the product-specific Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for authoritative safety information.

Solvent Selection

This product is a dehydrated medium intended to be dissolved in water; conventional solvent selection is not applicable.

• Primary solvent: Purified/deionized water (literature). Avoid hard/ion-rich water that can alter pH or clarity.
• Dissolution guidance (literature/general):
  • Disperse the powder gradually into cold or room-temperature water with stirring to prevent clumping; heat to aid dissolution.
  • Final clarification typically occurs after autoclaving and cooling.
• Miscibility: Not relevant; the product forms an aqueous gel (agar) upon cooling after sterilization.
• When to choose this medium (practical comparison):
  • Use soybean–casein digest agar (TSA) for broad-spectrum cultivation of aerobic and facultative microorganisms from environmental, food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical samples.
  • For stressed or fastidious organisms, consider TSA + supplements (e.g., 5% defibrinated sheep blood; literature) or alternative enriched media.
  • For differential/selective needs (e.g., coliforms, staphylococci), choose specialized media (MacConkey, Mannitol Salt Agar, etc.).

Note: The exact reconstitution strength and pH targets for this item are not specified here; consult the CoA/Spec Sheet for item-specific directions.

Storage and Reconstitution

Item-specific storage: Room temperature per Product Data. Shipped Normal (ambient).

General handling (literature/practice):

• Keep container tightly closed, dry, and protected from humidity and light. Avoid temperature extremes that can induce caking.
• If clumping occurs due to moisture ingress, performance may be impacted; assess via growth promotion testing.

Reconstitution and sterilization (literature/general guidance):

• Typical use concentration: ~40 g/L in purified water (item-specific directions Not specified; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet).
• Heat with stirring until fully dissolved; autoclave at 121 °C for 15 min.
• Cool to 45–50 °C before pouring plates or adding heat-sensitive supplements.

Prepared media storage (literature/general):

• Store solidified plates inverted at 2–8 °C, sealed to prevent desiccation/contamination. Use within 2–4 weeks for optimal performance (verify locally).
• Re-melt agar as needed via a boiling water bath or 45–50 °C hold; avoid repeated heat cycles that darken the medium.

Research Use Note: For research use only (per Product Data). Consult the CoA/Spec Sheet for any lot-specific reconstitution details, pH targets, and growth promotion data.

Structure and Identity

Soybean-Casein Digest Agar (often known as Tryptic Soy Agar, TSA) is a complex, undefined microbiological growth medium. It is a formulated mixture rather than a single chemical substance; therefore discrete molecular identifiers are not applicable.

• Item type: Complex nutrient medium (dehydrated powder) that forms a solid agar gel upon hydration and sterilization
• Compound identifiers (CAS, InChIKey, SMILES, molecular formula, molecular weight): Not applicable to complex mixtures; Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
• Structural features: Contains a blend of enzymatic digests of casein (animal-derived peptides/amino acids) and soybean meal (plant-derived peptides), sodium chloride, buffering salts, and agar (a polysaccharide gelling agent from seaweed)
• 2D “structure” description: Heterogeneous mixture of low– to mid-molecular-weight peptides, free amino acids, carbohydrates and minerals dispersed in a high–molecular-weight agar polysaccharide matrix upon gelling

Notes (literature/general):

• Typical conceptual composition (literature, representative): pancreatic digest of casein, papaic (or tryptic) digest of soybean meal, NaCl, phosphate buffer, agar. Exact ratios are manufacturer/formulation specific and are not specified for this item.

Synthetic Utility

Not applicable. This product is a microbiological culture medium, not a synthetic building block or reagent. It is not used to perform chemical transformations. For practical laboratory value, refer to:

• Reaction & Applications: cultivation and enumeration workflows
• Application Protocols: preparation and plating
• Storage & Reconstitution: handling and shelf-life guidance

If your project requires a chemical reagent (e.g., buffer components, selective agents, antibiotics), consult appropriate catalog entries for those specific chemicals.

Target Specificity

Not applicable. This is not an antibody, probe, or targeted affinity reagent. Soybean-Casein Digest Agar is a non-selective, broad-spectrum growth medium and does not possess molecular target specificity. For selective/differential recovery, consider media formulated with selective agents or indicators appropriate to the organism(s) of interest.