Azide Blood Agar Base (Dehydrated)

Detect and isolate streptococci and staphylococci from feces, sewage and other specimens containing mixed flora with selective Thermo Scientific™ Oxoid™ Azide Blood Agar Base (Dehydrated). With added blood the medium may be used for the determination of hemolytic reactions.

Use Azide Blood Agar Base for detection and isolation of streptococci and staphylococci from feces, sewage and other specimens containing mixed flora.

• Selective: sodium azide in the medium has a bacteriostatic effect on most Gram-negative organisms but permits growth of Gram-positive organisms such as streptococci and some strains of staphylococci. Proteus species are slightly more resistant than other Enterobacteriaceae but swarming is prevented (Snyder and Lichstein¹, Lichstein² and Snyder³).
• Recommended by the American Public Health Association⁴ for the isolation of streptococci from cheese.
• Can be used for the simultaneous determination of hemolytic reactions.

There are variations in formula of Azide Blood Agar Base which have been recommended for different purposes:

1. Packer⁵ increased the sodium azide concentration to 0.9g per litre and added 0.002g per litre of crystal violet. The pH was also adjusted to 6.8 ± 0.1. This is a more selective medium for fecal streptococci in foods⁶.
2. Packer⁵ and Wood⁷ used the above formulation with 5% blood and crystal violet increased at 0.01g per litre, for the isolation of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae and Streptococcus pneumoniae.
3. Dale⁸ and Bohm⁹ recommended the addition of phenol (1.0 to 2.5g per litre) to Packer's formulation to isolate Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae.

Not all products are available for sale in all territories. Please inquire.

Remel™ and Oxoid™ products are now part of the Thermo Scientific brand