Esculin Hydrolysis Agar

Differentiate gram positive and gram negative bacteria on the basis of their ability to hydrolyze esculin with Thermo Scientific™ Remel™ Esculin Hydrolysis Agar.

Harisson and Van der Leck observed the ability of organisms to hydrolyze esculin in the year 1909¹. In 1924, Rochaix used esculin hydrolysis to identify group D streptococci². Smith later suggested that esculin hydrolysis test can be used to differentiate certain anaerobic bacteria³. In 1974, Dowell et al. used the esculin hydrolysis test to differentiate Bacteroides species⁴.

Esculin Hydrolysis Agar is a solid medium used to detect esculin hydrolysis by microorganisms. The esculin hydrolysis test is used for identifying a wide variety of microorganisms, including Enterobacteriaceae, Streptococcus and Listeria, non-fermentative gram-negative bacilli, and anaerobes.

Esculin is enzymatically hydrolyzed by bacteria and yeilds esculetin and glucose. Esculetin combines with ferric ions to produce a brownish-black colored compound⁵. Esculin hydrolysis can thus be determined by detecting the end product esculetin using Esculin Hydrolysis Agar.

• Ready-to-use: convenience of prepared media.
• Easy-to-interpret:
  • Positive test- brownish-black color development.
  • Negative test- no color change.

Esculin Hydrolysis Agar contains beef heart infusion, casein peptone and yeast extract that supply amino acids, vitamins, and trace minerals necessary for growth. Sodium chloride provides essential electrolytes and maintains osmotic equilibrium. Vitamin K and hemin are growth factors that enhance growth of anaerobic bacteria. Agar is a solidifying agent.

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