Amies Transport Medium - BioReagent

Cat. No.: A1528332

GRADE & PURITY BioReagent

Storage

Room temperature

Shipped In

Normal

Panoramica

For collection, transport, and preservation of pathogenic bacteria specimens

Specifications

Specifiche e purezza

BioReagent

Condizioni di conservazione di stoccaggio

Room temperature

Spedito in

Normal

Grado

BioReagent

Product Line

Prodotti biologici

Application Protocols

Item-specific, validated protocols are not provided in the Product Data. The following are general research-use guidelines for transport media; verify and adapt to your SOPs.

General swab transport workflow (literature-based best practices):

• Preparation: Bring medium to room temperature. Label tubes/vials in advance. Assemble sterile swabs validated for the medium.
• Collection: Using aseptic technique, sample the target surface or culture. Avoid excessive debris that can saturate the swab.
• Inoculation: Insert swab into the transport medium. Break the shaft at the scored breakpoint if using swab systems designed for sealed tubes. Cap securely.
• Holding/Transport: Maintain according to organism-specific SOPs; avoid extreme temperatures and prolonged delays. For anaerobe-sensitive studies, minimize oxygen exposure.
• Receipt and Processing: Upon arrival, record time/temperature, then transfer to appropriate culture media or proceed with molecular workflows. For charcoal-containing variants (if applicable), avoid introducing charcoal particles into optical detection steps without validation.

Quality controls:

• Include positive-control swabs inoculated with reference cultures relevant to your study to verify viability after typical transport intervals.
• Monitor pH and visual integrity of the medium (no dehydration, cracking, or contamination) before use.

Note: Exact formulation, presence of charcoal, pH, and recommended holding conditions are Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet and your institutional biosafety protocols.

Biological Roles

Amies Transport Medium itself has no intrinsic biological role as a metabolite or macromolecule; it is an engineered environment designed to maintain viability of microorganisms during short-term transport in research settings.

Mechanistic features (general; literature):

• Buffering near neutrality helps maintain cellular homeostasis and prevents rapid pH-induced loss of viability.
• Low nutrient profile minimizes growth and metabolic shifts during transit, preserving the state of the microbiota or isolate at the time of collection.
• Semisolid matrix reduces oxygen diffusion, benefiting facultative and anaerobic organisms by limiting oxidative stress.
• Reducing agents (when present in specific formulations) can mitigate oxidative damage and help preserve redox-sensitive enzymes.
• Activated charcoal variants adsorb inhibitory fatty acids and residual antiseptics that may leach from swab materials or be present in samples.

Use-case boundaries:

• The medium is not intended to support long-term culture or enrichment; it is designed specifically for stabilization/maintenance, followed by transfer to appropriate selective or differential media, or nucleic acid extraction workflows, in a research context.

Item-specific performance characteristics (pH window, organism panels, validated hold times) are Not specified for this item; consult CoA/Spec Sheet and validate with relevant organisms in your lab.

Buffer Applications

Amies is a transport medium with embedded buffering capacity and is not a general-purpose laboratory buffer like PBS or Tris. However, its buffering behavior is central to its intended use.

General buffer characteristics (literature; not product specifications):

• Typical target pH is near neutral (often ~7.2 ± 0.2 at room temperature) to maintain microbial viability during short-term holding and transport.
• Ionic strength is tuned with inorganic salts to provide osmotic balance without encouraging growth.
• Semisolid matrix (low agar) supports moisture retention and reduced oxygen diffusion while not imposing strong selective pressure.

Practical lab guidance:

• Do not substitute Amies for analytical buffering tasks (e.g., enzyme assays, electrophoresis) because composition is optimized for transport rather than defined buffering capacity across a wide pH range.
• For nucleic acid stabilization or downstream molecular workflows, validate that your extraction protocol is compatible with all medium components (including charcoal, if present in the selected formulation).

Preparation/verification tips:

• If preparing from a dry blend, adjust pH at room temperature and verify with a calibrated meter; autoclave under validated conditions (general guidance). Exact preparation instructions are Not specified for this item; refer to the product label/CoA/Spec Sheet.
• Perform a quick pH/appearance check on each lot before critical studies.

Note: Item-specific buffer composition and target pH are Not specified for this item.

Green Alternatives

Green chemistry considerations for transport media focus on component toxicity, waste handling, and lifecycle impacts rather than solvent replacement.

Context (general):

• Amies media are typically phosphate-buffered and do not rely on high-toxicity preservatives. Activated charcoal (in certain variants) is carbon-based and inert but adds solid waste.

Comparison of common transport media (literature; qualitative):

• Amies medium

  • Pros: Broad utility; near-neutral pH; semisolid matrix limits oxygen diffusion; charcoal option to mitigate inhibitors.
  • Considerations: Single-use plastic formats contribute to waste; charcoal increases solid waste load.

• Stuart’s medium

  • Pros: Simple formulation; historically common.
  • Considerations: Often outperformed by Amies for viability retention across broader taxa.

• Cary-Blair medium

  • Pros: Low nutrient, alkaline formulation beneficial for many enteric organisms; good stability during transport.
  • Considerations: High pH can be less universally suitable; verify compatibility with intended organisms.

Greener practice tips:

• Use only the quantity required; prefer formats that minimize headspace and plastic mass.
• Segregate uninoculated vs inoculated waste to optimize disposal routes. Uninoculated medium may be suitable for non-biohazard solid/liquid waste streams per local rules; inoculated materials require biohazard inactivation.
• Source media from suppliers with documented quality and environmental practices.

Note: Item-specific composition and any preservatives are Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.

Pharmaceutical Uses

This product is designated For research use only (per Product Data) and is not intended for clinical, diagnostic, or therapeutic applications. It is not an excipient or an API.

Context (general):

• Transport media like Amies are used in research laboratories to preserve microbial viability during short-term specimen transfer. They are not formulated to pharmacopoeial monographs for drug product manufacture or as pharmaceutical excipients.

If your work requires regulated/clinical-grade media:

• Seek products specifically labeled for clinical/diagnostic use, with appropriate regulatory documentation (e.g., CE-IVD where applicable) and validated performance claims. Such claims and status are outside the scope of this item.

Item-specific pharmacopeial status, excipient suitability, and regulatory registrations: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.

Physical Properties

Item-specific physicochemical specifications are not provided in the Product Data for this medium.

• Appearance: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
• pH: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
• Osmolality/tonicity: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
• Density/SG: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
• Melting/boiling point, refractive index, logP: Not applicable to a multi-component aqueous medium; not typically reported.
• Solubility: Aqueous system by design; components are water-soluble (general statement).

Literature/general values (for context only; not product specifications):

• Amies media are typically adjusted to near-neutral pH at room temperature (often ~7.2 ± 0.2, literature) to sustain viability of a broad range of microorganisms during short-term storage/transport.
• Semisolid consistency is commonly achieved using low agar (on the order of a few g/L; literature), which retards oxygen diffusion and helps maintain moisture around inoculated swabs.

Notes:

• Exact values depend on the specific formulation (with/without charcoal, manufacturer-specific buffer/salt composition). Always verify item-specific properties on the CoA/Spec Sheet and follow your internal validation for critical applications.

Quality and Grades

• Item grade: BioReagent (per Product Data).

What BioReagent generally implies:

• Suitable for laboratory research use, including microbiological sample handling and culture-related workflows. BioReagent designation typically indicates manufacturing controls appropriate for biological research, but it is not equivalent to clinical/diagnostic or GMP-grade materials.
• UV absorbance, trace metals, or other analytical solvent-style specs are not typically relevant for transport media and are not provided for this item.

Item-specific notes:

• Exact quality attributes such as microbial sterility assurance level, endotoxin limits, pH tolerance, and lot release criteria are Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
• Stabilizers/preservatives: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.

Best practices for quality-sensitive work:

• Perform incoming lot verification (pH check at room temperature; appearance, gel consistency if semisolid) per your lab SOPs.
• Use sterile technique when opening, dispensing, or inoculating the medium to avoid adventitious contamination.
• For culture viability controls, include challenge organisms relevant to your workflow (e.g., aerobes, facultative anaerobes, and any fastidious strains you routinely transport) to verify performance in your hands.

Regulatory/usage note:

• For research use only (per Product Data). Not intended for human/animal diagnostic or therapeutic use.

Reaction and Applications

As a microbiological transport medium, Amies is not used as a reagent in organic or inorganic chemical reactions. Its “applications” pertain to preserving microorganism viability during short-term transport in research workflows.

Research applications (general; literature):

• Transport of swabbed research specimens (environmental samples, laboratory cultures, or non-clinical biological materials) to the laboratory while maintaining viability and minimizing overgrowth.
• Support of both aerobic and anaerobic/facultative organisms when used with appropriate closures and handling to limit oxygen exposure; semisolid consistency reduces oxygen diffusion (literature).
• Charcoal-containing variants (if applicable) can adsorb inhibitory fatty acids and residual disinfectants from swabs or sample matrices, helping sustain fastidious organisms (literature).

Practical tips (general):

• Prelabel containers; pre-equilibrate to room temperature before use to avoid condensation that can dilute surface-inoculated material.
• Use sterile, compatible swabs; avoid swabs with inhibitory adhesives or coatings unless validated for Amies.
• Insert the swab and secure promptly to minimize desiccation; avoid air entrapment in the cap.
• For anaerobe-focused research, minimize air exposure and transport promptly; consider using gas-impermeable caps and anaerobic transport accessories.
• Time and temperature: Maintain as recommended by your protocol for the organisms under study; cooler temperatures often slow overgrowth during transport (general lab practice). Exact holding times and temperatures are organism- and study-dependent.

Item-specific performance claims and validated organism lists are Not specified for this item; consult the CoA/Spec Sheet and validate in your lab.

Reaction Conditions

Not applicable. There are no chemical reaction conditions associated with the use of Amies Transport Medium. Its performance is defined by microbiological handling conditions rather than stoichiometric or catalytic parameters.

General handling conditions (research context):

• Temperature during holding/transport: Follow organism- and study-specific SOPs; cooler temperatures are often used to slow overgrowth. Item-specific recommended temperatures/times are Not specified for this item.
• Atmosphere: For anaerobic/facultative organisms, minimize oxygen exposure; use appropriate closures and transport systems.

For item-specific guidance, consult the CoA/Spec Sheet and your internal microbiology protocols.

Safety and Handling

GHS classification and hazard statements are not provided in the Product Data for this item. Handle according to good microbiological practices and defer to the product SDS for authoritative safety information.

• GHS/Label elements (item-specific): Not specified for this item; refer to SDS.
• Signal word / Pictograms / H-Statements: Not specified for this item; refer to SDS.

General laboratory safety guidance (for transport media use in research settings):

• PPE: Wear lab coat, disposable gloves, and safety glasses. When handling potentially infectious specimens in research, work within an appropriate biosafety cabinet per your institutional biosafety level (BSL) requirements.
• Avoid inhalation/aerosol generation when inserting/removing swabs. Cap containers immediately after inoculation.
• Incompatibilities: Avoid contamination with strong oxidants or disinfectants which can neutralize medium components; keep away from desiccants/strong heat sources that may dry or gel the medium.
• Microbiological risks: Once inoculated with biological material, the container becomes biohazardous waste. Decontaminate by autoclaving or according to your biosafety protocol.
• First aid (general): If skin/eye contact with prepared medium occurs, rinse with water. If exposure involves inoculated (biohazardous) medium, follow biosafety incident procedures.
• Spill response: For uninoculated medium, wipe with water/detergent. For inoculated material, use appropriate disinfectant (e.g., freshly prepared bleach) and follow BSL procedures.
• Special notes: If the formulation contains charcoal (variant-dependent), carbon fines can be dusty in dry formulations—avoid inhalation of powders.

Storage: Room temperature (per Product Data). Shipments: Normal (per Product Data).

Solvent Selection

This product is a formulated aqueous transport medium rather than a solvent for chemical synthesis.

• Polarity/miscibility (general): Water-based, fully miscible with water. Not designed for mixing with organic solvents; dilution with organic solvents can compromise transport efficacy and organism viability (research context).
• Use scenario: Selection of Amies versus alternative transport systems should be based on organism classes under study, anticipated transport time, and downstream analytical workflows (culture, microscopy, molecular assays). Charcoal-containing variants (literature) are often favored for adsorbing inhibitory substances.

When to choose Amies (general guidance; literature):

• For broad-range transport of bacteria in research specimens where maintenance of viability without growth is desired over short to moderate durations.
• When a buffered, semisolid matrix is advantageous to limit oxygen diffusion and prevent desiccation of swab samples.

Alternatives to consider (selection logic):

• Stuart’s medium: Earlier phosphate-based transport; adequate for some organisms but generally superseded by Amies (literature).
• Cary-Blair: Often used for enteric specimens due to high pH, low nutrient profile (literature). May be preferred when alkaline conditions and extended stability are required.

Note: Item-specific formulation details (e.g., with/without charcoal) are Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet to finalize selection.

Storage and Reconstitution

Storage conditions (per Product Data):

• Store at room temperature. Shipping: Normal.

Item-specific details not provided:

• Appearance/format (powder vs. ready-to-use), pH, and exact composition are Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet and product label for authoritative instructions.

General guidance (for context; not product specifications):

• If supplied as a dry blend: Prepare with high-purity water using aseptic technique; heat to dissolve as needed; adjust pH at room temperature; distribute into suitable containers; sterilize by autoclaving per validated cycle for your lab. Allow to cool to room temperature before use.
• If supplied ready-to-use: Inspect for clarity/consistency (or uniform charcoal dispersion if applicable), absence of contamination, and intact caps/seals before first opening.
• Shelf life: Use by the labeled expiration date. Once opened, minimize repeated ambient exposures. Do not use if dehydrated, contaminated, or if pH/drift is detected by QC checks.
• Freeze–thaw: Avoid freezing unless the specific product label permits it; repeated freeze–thaw can alter gel structure and buffer performance.

Biosafety note:

• After contact with biological specimens, handle as biohazard; store and dispose according to institutional biosafety procedures.

For reconstitution volumes, sterilization parameters, and pH targets: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.

Structure and Identity

Amies Transport Medium is a formulated, multi-component microbiological transport medium, not a single defined chemical substance.

• SKU: A1528332
• Product name: Amies Transport Medium
• CAS: Not applicable (mixture)
• InChIKey / SMILES: Not applicable (mixture)
• Molecular formula: Not applicable (mixture)
• Molecular weight: Not applicable (mixture)
• Grade: BioReagent (per Product Data)

Structural features (general description; literature):

• Amies medium is an aqueous, buffered, semisolid matrix typically containing inorganic salts and buffering agents to maintain near-neutral pH, with a low agar concentration to minimize oxygen diffusion and prevent sample desiccation.
• Variants may include activated charcoal to adsorb inhibitory fatty acids and other toxic metabolites released from specimens or swab materials (literature). Charcoal content and presence/absence are formulation-dependent.
• Reducing components (e.g., thioglycollate) and phosphates are commonly used to help preserve viability of fastidious and non-fastidious organisms during short-term transport (literature).

2D “structure” in words:

• As a mixture, the medium comprises dissolved salts and buffers in water with a small amount of gelling agent distributed uniformly; if charcoal-containing, fine dispersed carbon particles are present. No discrete molecular structure applies.

Item-specific identifiers and composition:

• Exact component list, concentrations, and any optional additives (e.g., charcoal) are Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.

Synthetic Utility

Not applicable. Amies Transport Medium is not a building block, reagent, or catalyst for chemical synthesis. It is a formulated microbiological transport medium intended to maintain organism viability during research specimen transport.

For chemical synthesis needs:

• Select appropriate solvents, reagents, and catalysts tailored to your reaction class. Refer to solvent and reagent categories in the catalog for options designed for synthetic workflows.

Target Specificity

Not applicable. This product is not an antibody, probe, or targeted affinity reagent. It is a general-purpose transport medium designed (in principle) to maintain the viability of a broad range of microorganisms in research samples.

Any organism-specific validation claims or performance panels are Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet and validate with organisms relevant to your workflow.