HiMedia Laboratories Technical Data
Sea Water Agar (Twin Pack) M592
Sea Water Agar is recommended for the cultivation of marine microorganisms.
Composition**
Ingredients Gms / Litre
Part A -
Yeast extract 5.000
Peptic digest of animal tissue 5.000
Beef extract 3.000
Agar 15.000
Part B -
Sodium chloride 24.000
Potassium chloride 0.700
Magnesium chloride, 6H2O 5.300
Magnesium sulphate, 7H2O 7.000
Calcium chloride 0.100
Final pH ( at 25°C) 7.5±0.2
**Formula adjusted, standardized to suit performance parameters
Directions
Suspend 37.1 grams of dehydrated medium of Part B in 1000 ml distilled water. Heat if necessary to dissolve completely.
This will be sea water (Synthetic). Add 28 grams of Part A medium. Heat to boiling to dissolve the medium completely.
Sterilize by autoclaving at 15 lbs pressure (121°C) for 15 minutes.
Principle And Interpretation
Marine life represents a vast resource, providing food, medicine, and raw materials. It is also a source of halophilic
bacteria. These bacteria contribute to the spoilage of marine fish and shellfish. Halophilic bacteria have complex ionic
requirements and may require Mg++ and K+ in addition to sodium chloride for growth and proteolytic activity. Sea
Water Agar (1, 2) is formulated as recommended by APHA (3) for cultivation of marine microorganisms from sea
foods.
Part B composition acts as synthetic sea water to create conducive growth atmosphere. Yeast extract, beef extract and
peptic digest of animal tissue provide nitrogenous compounds, vitamin B complex and other essential growth nutrients.
Quality Control
Appearance
Part A : Cream to yellow homogeneous free flowing powder Part B : White to cream homogeneous free flowing
powder
Gelling
Firm, comparable with 1.5% Agar gel
Colour and Clarity of prepared medium
Yellow coloured slightly opalescent gel forms in Petri plates
Reaction
Reaction of 2.8% w/v aqueous solution of Part A + 3.7% w/v aqueous solution of Part B at 25°C. pH : 7.5±0.2
Cultural Response
M592: Cultural characteristics observed after an incubation at 35-37°C for 18-24 hours.
Organism Inoculum Growth Recovery
(CFU)
Vibrio cholerae ATCC 50-100 luxuriant >=70%
15748
Vibrio parahaemolyticus 50-100 luxuriant >=70%
ATCC 11344
Reference
1. Liston J., Matches J. R., and Baross J., 1971, Fish Inspection and Quality Control, Ed., R. Krevger, P. 246 Fishing
News (Books) Limited, London, England
2. MacLeod R. A., Onofrey E. and Norris M. E., 1954, J. Bacteriol., 68: 6803.
3. Downes F. P. and Ito K., (Eds.), 2001, Compendium of Methods for the Microbiological Examination of Foods, 4th
Ed., APHA, Washington, D.C.
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HiMedia Laboratories Technical Data
Storage and Shelf Life
Store below 30°C and the prepared medium at 2-8°C. Use before expiry date on the label.
