The medium is formulated to support the growth of C. difficile, which can be fastidious and easily outgrown by the dense normal flora of the intestinal tract. It contains Proteose Peptone as a source of nitrogen, vitamins, and amino acids, while Fructose is included as a fermentable carbohydrate to enhance growth. Sodium Chloride maintains osmotic equilibrium, and Dipotassium and Monopotassium Phosphates serve as buffering agents to stabilize the pH. When used as "CCFA" (Cycloserine-Cefoxitin Fructose Agar), the addition of selective supplements inhibits the growth of the majority of Gram-negative and Gram-positive fecal bacteria, allowing C. difficile to develop its characteristic morphology.
Advantages
- Optimized Recovery: Specifically balanced to support the vegetative cells and spores of C. difficile.
- High Selectivity: When used with Cycloserine and Cefoxitin supplements, it effectively suppresses competitive intestinal flora.
- Characteristic Morphology: Colonies typically appear large, irregular, and "ground-glass" in texture, with a distinctive horse-manure odor.
- Versatile Enrichment: Can be supplemented with 5-7% defibrinated horse or sheep blood to further enhance the recovery of stressed cells.
- Standardized Diagnostic Tool: Widely recognized in clinical microbiology laboratories for the primary screening of Clostridioides infections.
Technical specifications
| Catalogue number |
1447 |
| Brand |
Condalab |
| Application |
Isolation of Clostridium difficile |
| Typical Composition (g/L) |
Proteose Peptone (40.0); Fructose (6.0); Sodium Chloride (2.0); Magnesium Sulfate (0.1); Dipotassium Phosphate (5.0); Monopotassium Phosphate (1.0); Bacteriological Agar (15.0) |
| Final pH (at 25 °C) |
7.4 ± 0.2 |
| Preparation |
69.2 g/L |
| Storage Temperature |
2 – 25 °C |
Available packaging options
| 1447 |
500 g plastic bottle |
