T9179 Terrific Broth (Modified), Merck

Terrific Broth is a "rich" medium containing a higher concentration of yeast extract and tryptone than traditional formulations. This provides an abundance of amino acids, vitamins, and trace elements necessary for rapid cell growth. The inclusion of glycerol serves as a carbon and energy source that, unlike glucose, does not lead to significant acetic acid production, which can inhibit growth. Furthermore, the medium is heavily buffered with a dipotassium and monopotassium phosphate system to prevent the drastic pH shifts that occur during high-density fermentation. This allows E. coli cultures to remain in the logarithmic growth phase longer, resulting in significantly higher biomass.

Advantages

• Higher Yields: Capable of producing 4 to 10 times more plasmid DNA and recombinant protein than LB Broth.
• Extended Growth: Enhanced buffering capacity maintains an optimal pH for a longer duration, supporting high-density cultures.
• Optimized Carbon Source: Glycerol provides a steady energy supply without the detrimental "glucose effect" (acidification).
• Time Efficiency: Reaches higher optical densities (OD₆₀₀) faster, reducing the time required for protein induction or plasmid harvesting.
• Ready-to-Use Powder: Precisely balanced formulation ensures batch-to-batch reproducibility for sensitive molecular biology applications.

Instructions for use

Suspend 47.6 g of the Terrific Broth powder in 900 mL of distilled or deionized water. Add 4 mL of glycerol (not included in the powder). Adjust the final volume to 1000 mL. Mix thoroughly and heat if necessary to ensure complete dissolution. Sterilize by autoclaving at 121 °C for 15 minutes. The final prepared medium should be clear and amber. For selection of recombinant strains, allow the broth to cool to 45–50 °C before adding heat-sensitive antibiotics (e.g., ampicillin, kanamycin).

Technical specifications