Brain-Heart Infusion Agar Medium - BioReagent

Cat. No.: B1528644

GRADE & PURITY BioReagent

Storage

Room temperature

Shipped In

Normal

Panoramica

For confirmation of Enterococcus faecalis, and may also be used for enrichment of culture media

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 instruction availability: Detailed preparation instructions are not specified for this item; refer to the product label/CoA/Spec Sheet.

• Standard BHI Agar plate preparation (literature/general; not item specifications):

  1. Weigh dehydrated BHI Agar at the manufacturer-recommended concentration (commonly ~52 g per liter as a typical reference formulation).
  2. Add gradually to ~800–900 mL purified water with vigorous stirring; heat to dissolve completely.
  3. Adjust volume to 1 L with water; verify pH (near neutral) if required.
  4. Autoclave at 121 °C for 15 min. Allow to cool to 45–50 °C.
  5. If making enriched plates, aseptically add supplements (e.g., 5% defibrinated blood, antibiotics as appropriate) and mix gently.
  6. Pour 20–25 mL per standard 90–100 mm plate. Let solidify and dry plates in a sterile environment. Store plates inverted at 2–8 °C in sealed sleeves if not used immediately (monitor for condensation and contamination).

• Inoculation and incubation (literature/general):

  • Streak for isolation or spread known volumes for quantification. Incubate at organism-appropriate temperature (often 30–37 °C) and atmosphere. Examine plates at 18–24 h and again at 48 h for full morphology.

• Quality checks:

  • Include uninoculated sterility controls and growth-promotion controls with reference strains.

Biological Roles

This product itself has no inherent biological role as a single molecule; it is a formulated nutrient matrix for cultivating microorganisms.

• Functional support (literature/general; not item specifications):

  • Peptides/amino acids from protein digests supply nitrogen, sulfur-containing amino acids, and growth factors for fastidious bacteria.
  • Carbohydrate (e.g., dextrose) provides a readily metabolizable carbon and energy source, influencing acid production and colony phenotypes.
  • Mineral salts (NaCl, phosphate) maintain osmotic balance and buffering capacity for stable pH during growth.
  • Agar provides a non-nutritive, inert gelling matrix allowing colony isolation and morphological assessment.

• Microbial scope:

  • Non-selective and supportive for a broad spectrum of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and many yeasts; selectivity is governed by optional supplements/antibiotics and incubation parameters rather than the base medium.

Buffer Applications

This product is not a dedicated buffer system. However, Brain-Heart Infusion Agar typically contains phosphate that provides modest buffering capacity around neutrality.

• Practical guidance (literature/general; not item specifications):
  • Working pH: commonly near neutral (approximately pH 7.3–7.4 at 25 °C in standard formulations). For organisms with narrow pH preferences, verify pH after sterilization and cooling.
  • Adjustments: minor pH adjustments can be made to the hydrated medium before sterilization using sterile-filtered acid/base; avoid large shifts that may impair growth performance.
  • For experiments requiring defined buffering (e.g., precise pH-controlled phenotyping), consider overlaying defined buffer systems (e.g., MOPS, HEPES) in chemically defined media, as complex media can mask pH effects.

Green Alternatives

While BHI Agar is widely used for robust growth, sustainability considerations in microbiology often focus on source materials and waste minimization rather than solvent substitution.

• Greener options (literature/general comparison; not item specifications):

  Comparison (illustrative)

  • Conventional BHI Agar: typically uses animal-derived brain/heart infusions and casein/animal peptones; excellent performance for fastidious microbes; animal-derived inputs raise ethical/sustainability concerns.
  • Plant peptone–based rich agars (e.g., soy/legume peptone media): reduce animal-derived content; may require validation for growth promotion equivalence for fastidious organisms.
  • Chemically defined media: eliminate complex animal inputs; enable precise metabolic studies; may not support broad/fastidious growth without extensive optimization.

• Practical green tips:

  • Right-size media batches to avoid waste; pour only the number of plates needed for the immediate study.
  • Use re-usable glassware when feasible and autoclave efficiently (full loads, validated cycles) to reduce energy use.
  • Decontaminate and segregate biological waste properly to enable energy-efficient disposal pathways.

Pharmaceutical Uses

No therapeutic or clinical uses are claimed. For research use only (per Product Data). In industrial and pharmaceutical laboratory contexts, Brain-Heart Infusion Agar is often used as a process/materials testing medium.

• Typical roles in regulated/industrial labs (literature/general; not item specifications):

  • Environmental monitoring and bioburden assessments via surface contact plates or settle plates prepared with rich, non-selective media.
  • Sterility testing and growth promotion testing of compendial organisms when using appropriate formulations and validated procedures.
  • Recovery of stressed or fastidious microorganisms during in-process controls or sanitization efficacy studies.

• Compliance notes:

  • Where pharmacopeial conformance is required (e.g., USP/EP/JP), ensure the specific medium lot meets the designated performance criteria; this item’s pharmacopeial status is not specified—refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.

Physical Properties

• Item-specific properties (from Product Data):

  • Appearance: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
  • Molecular Weight, Formula, BP/MP, density, refractive index: Not applicable to a complex growth medium; not specified for this item.

• General/literature properties for BHI Agar (not item specifications):

  • Physical form (dehydrated): free-flowing powder; color typically beige to tan.
  • Solubility: readily soluble in purified/distilled water prior to sterilization; agar hydrates upon heating to near boiling.
  • Gelation: agar gels on cooling to ~35–40 °C after melting at ~85–90 °C (literature for agar).
  • Typical working concentration: often around 40–60 g/L of dehydrated medium in water to prepare plates (literature range; see protocols).
  • Typical prepared medium pH: approximately neutral, often around pH 7.3–7.4 at 25 °C (literature for standard BHI Agar formulations).

Quality and Grades

• Item-specific quality (from Product Data):

  • Grade: BioReagent.

• What BioReagent grade generally implies (literature/general guidance; not item specifications):

  • Intended for laboratory research and microbiological applications, with quality controls suitable for biological workflows (e.g., growth performance testing with reference strains, pH conformity of prepared medium, and sterility before inoculation).
  • Emphasis on low bioburden and consistent lot-to-lot performance so that colony morphologies and growth rates are reproducible.
  • May include performance specifications such as growth promotion for fastidious organisms (e.g., streptococci, pneumococci) when supplemented appropriately; consult the lot-specific CoA for exact performance criteria.

• Practical implications:

  • For quantitative microbiology (counts, QC testing), use consistent preparation procedures and verify pH and gel strength on receipt of a new lot.
  • If you require animal-free, irradiated, or pharmaceutical-test-validated variants, confirm with the CoA/Spec Sheet; this specific item’s additional certifications are not specified.

Reaction and Applications

“Reactions” in the synthetic-chemistry sense are not applicable. Instead, focus on microbiological applications of Brain-Heart Infusion Agar.

• Core applications (literature/general; not item specifications):

  • Cultivation of bacteria and some yeasts, including fastidious organisms, supported by rich peptides, amino acids, carbohydrates, and minerals.
  • Colony isolation and enumeration on solid plates; supports characteristic colony morphologies due to a non-selective, nutrient-rich background.
  • Supplementation workflows: addition of 5–10% defibrinated sheep or horse blood for enriched blood agar-type plates; antimicrobial discs for susceptibility testing (where appropriate standards permit); or antibiotics for selection of transformants (ensure compatibility with rich media).
  • Quality control and sterility monitoring in bioprocess and environmental labs by surface plating or membrane filtration recovery.

• Practical tips:

  • Confirm final pH of the prepared medium; deviations can impair growth of fastidious strains.
  • Avoid overheating (>20–30 min at sterilization temperatures) to limit Maillard reactions and nutrient degradation; autoclave as per standard cycles and cool promptly before pouring.
  • Dry plates (lid ajar in sterile hood) to remove surface moisture before streaking to prevent swarming or confluent growth.

Reaction Conditions

Here, “conditions” refer to preparation and incubation parameters for microbiological use (literature/general; not item specifications):

• Medium preparation (typical):

  • Disperse the dehydrated powder in purified water at the manufacturer-recommended concentration (commonly about 40–60 g per liter for agar media). Allow hydration with vigorous stirring.
  • Heat to near boiling until completely dissolved; avoid scorching. Adjust pH if required.
  • Sterilize by autoclaving (e.g., 121 °C for 15 minutes; validate cycle per load volume and vessel).
  • Cool to 45–50 °C before pouring plates; add heat-labile supplements (e.g., blood, antibiotics) after cooling to appropriate temperatures.

• Incubation parameters:

  • Temperature: commonly 30–37 °C depending on organism; some yeasts/molds at 25–30 °C; thermophiles/psychrophiles require specific conditions.
  • Atmosphere: aerobic; for capnophiles or microaerophiles, incubate with elevated CO2 or microaerophilic systems. For strict anaerobes, use BHI-based agar modified for anaerobic culture in an anaerobic chamber/jar.
  • Duration: 18–48 h for many bacteria; longer for slow growers. Monitor for colony development and morphology.

• Expected performance:

  • Rich, non-selective growth; growth promotion depends on strain and any supplements. Validate with control organisms when performance-critical.

Safety and Handling

• Item-specific hazard information (from Product Data):

  • Signal Word: Not specified for this item; refer to SDS.
  • H-Statements: Not specified for this item; refer to SDS.
  • GHS Classification and Pictograms: Not specified for this item; refer to SDS.

• General safety guidance (literature/practice; not item specifications):

  • Classification: Many dehydrated culture media are not classified as hazardous under GHS; however, always consult the specific SDS for this product.
  • Primary hazards: nuisance dust; may cause mechanical irritation to eyes and respiratory tract. Avoid inhalation and contact.
  • PPE: lab coat, safety glasses, and suitable gloves (e.g., nitrile). Use dust control measures (weigh in fume hood or use mask/respirator as appropriate to exposure).
  • Thermal hazards: hot liquids during dissolution/sterilization can cause burns. Use heat-resistant gloves and face protection when handling hot agar.
  • Biohazard considerations: once inoculated, plates/broths contain live microorganisms. Handle using appropriate biosafety practices (BSL-appropriate containment). Decontaminate used media by autoclaving before disposal.
  • Incompatibilities: strong oxidizers may degrade organic components; store away from moisture to prevent clumping and microbial contamination.
  • First aid (overview; defer to SDS): rinse eyes/skin with water if contacted; move to fresh air if dust inhaled; seek medical attention if irritation persists.

Solvent Selection

This product is a dehydrated culture medium, not a reagent requiring organic solvent selection.

• Item-specific fact: Prepared and stored at room temperature as per Product Data; dissolution is performed in water during medium preparation.

• Practical guidance (literature/general; not item specifications):

  • Solvent: use purified, deionized, or distilled water. High ionic strength or contaminated water can inhibit growth or alter gelation.
  • Dissolution: sprinkle powder into vigorously stirred cold water to minimize clumping; heat to near-boiling to fully dissolve agar.
  • Degassing: brief gentle boiling minimizes bubbles in pour plates.
  • Alternatives: For broth (without agar), use Brain-Heart Infusion Broth. For selective applications, use specialized selective/differential media instead of modifying solvent.

Storage and Reconstitution

• Item-specific storage (from Product Data):

  • Storage Conditions: Room temperature.
  • Shipped In: Normal.

• General storage guidance (literature/practice; not item specifications):

  • Keep container tightly closed in a cool, dry place to prevent moisture uptake and clumping. Protect from light and contaminants.
  • Use clean, dry scoops. Reseal promptly; consider desiccant use in secondary containment if ambient humidity is high.

• Reconstitution/Preparation (overview; see Application Protocols for details):

  • Dissolve the specified mass of dehydrated medium in purified water with heating; sterilize by autoclaving; cool and pour plates. Add heat-labile supplements after cooling to 45–50 °C.

• Prepared media/plates (general guidance):

  • Prepared broth can be stored refrigerated for a limited time; plates are commonly stored inverted at 2–8 °C in sealed sleeves and used within a few weeks for optimal performance. Monitor for contamination, dehydration, and pH drift. Exact shelf-life for this item is not specified—refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.

• Research Use Note (from Product Data):

  • For research use only.

Structure and Identity

Brain-Heart Infusion Agar (BHI Agar) is a complex, undefined microbiological culture medium composed of digests and extracts; it is not a single molecular entity.

• Item-specific facts (from Product Data):

  • SKU: B1528644
  • Product Name: Brain-Heart Infusion Agar Medium
  • Grade/Purity: BioReagent
  • Storage Conditions: Room temperature
  • Shipped In: Normal
  • CAS: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
  • Molecular Formula: Not applicable (complex mixture)
  • Molecular Weight: Not applicable (complex mixture)
  • SMILES / InChIKey: Not applicable (complex mixture)

• General composition and identity (literature, for context; not item specifications):

  • Typical constituents: brain-heart infusion solids, peptones (casein/animal protein digests), dextrose, sodium chloride, disodium phosphate (buffer), and agar as a gelling agent.
  • Functional groups present are diverse due to peptides, amino acids, carbohydrates, and inorganic salts; no single 2D structure can represent the product.
  • Form: commonly supplied as a beige to light tan dehydrated powder; forms a firm gel upon dissolution in water and sterilization/cooling due to agar.

Synthetic Utility

Not applicable. This product is a microbiological growth medium rather than a chemical building block or reagent for organic synthesis.

• Guidance:
  • For chemical synthesis content, refer instead to buffer components or individual reagents (e.g., phosphates, peptones) if relevant to your workflow.
  • See Reaction Conditions and Application Protocols for medium preparation and microbiology-focused operational details.

Target Specificity

Not applicable. Target specificity (antigen/epitope, clone, isotype, species reactivity) pertains to antibodies or biologics. As a non-selective culture medium, Brain-Heart Infusion Agar does not have molecular target specificity.

• Practical note: Spectrum of organisms supported is broad and determined by the base formulation plus optional supplements and incubation conditions rather than a discrete binding target.