Chromogenic Agar Burkholderia Cepacia is a selective and differential medium designed for the rapid and presumptive identification of Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc). It is an essential tool in clinical microbiology, particularly for patients with cystic fibrosis, and in industrial settings for testing pharmaceutical and cosmetic products.
Burkholderia cepacia is a group of opportunistic pathogens known for their multi-drug resistance and ability to survive in nutrient-poor environments. This medium utilizes a unique chromogenic substrate that is cleaved by specific enzymes produced by B. cepacia, resulting in distinctively colored colonies (typically ranging from pink to magenta). This visual differentiation allows for easy recognition among other microbial flora. The base is highly selective, containing a mixture of antibiotics—typically including Polymyxin B, Gentamicin, and Vancomycin—which effectively suppress the growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and other common contaminants that often outgrow Bcc on non-selective media.
Advantages
- Rapid Identification: Allows for the presumptive identification of B. cepacia within 24–48 hours based on color development.
- High Specificity: The chromogenic reaction reduces the need for extensive subculturing and secondary biochemical testing.
- Superior Selectivity: Optimized antibiotic cocktail inhibits troublesome competitors like Pseudomonas, which often mask Bcc on standard media like BCSA.
- Industrial Compliance: Suitable for use in the pharmaceutical industry to screen for Bcc, a group of organisms increasingly monitored under USP <60> guidelines.
- Improved Recovery: The nutrient-enriched base ensures the growth of even stressed or slow-growing strains.
Instructions for use
Suspend 48.2 g of the powder in 1 liter of distilled or deionized water. Mix thoroughly and heat with frequent agitation; boil for one minute to ensure complete dissolution. 1. Sterilization: Sterilize by autoclaving at 121 °C for 15 minutes. 2. Addition of Supplements: Cool the medium to 45–50 °C. Aseptically add the selective supplements (reconstituted according to instructions) to the base. 3. Preparation: Mix well and pour into sterile Petri dishes. Inoculate the surface and incubate at 30–35 °C for 48 to 72 hours. Observe for pink/magenta colonies; non-target organisms are either inhibited or produce colorless/different colored colonies.
Technical specifications
| Catalogue number | 2142 |
| Brand | Condalab |
| Application | Selective isolation and chromogenic differentiation of B. cepacia |
| Physical Appearance | Fine, toasted powder |
| Final pH (at 25 °C) | 6.7 ± 0.2 |
| Preparation | 48.2 g/L |
| Storage Temperature | 2 – 8 °C (Base and Supplements) |
Available packaging options
| 2142-500G | 500 g plastic bottle |
| Brand | Condalab |
| Pack size | 500 g |
