Thermo Scientific™ Remel™ HC Agar

Description

• Cultivate and enumerate molds in cosmetic products using Thermo Scientific™ Remel™ HC Agar Base (Dehydrated) supplemented with polysorbate 80
• HC Agar is prepared by addition of polysorbate 80 to HC Agar base
• In 1986, Mead and O'Neill described HC Agar for enumerating molds in cosmetic products 1
• Polysorbate 80 is used to neutralize residual amounts of preservatives and sequesters surfactants that may be present in the sample
• Cosmetics do not need to be sterile, but they must be adequately preserved
• Microbial contamination to cosmetics is a substantial risk to product quality, regulatory compliance and consumer health 2
• HC Agar Base, formulated by Mead and ONeill, is used for enumerating molds in cosmetic products 1
• This medium differs from the traditionally used media for testing cosmetics products by addition of Polysorbate 80 and incubation time of 3 days, rather than 7 days, at 27°C ± 0.5°C to obtain a significant mold count 3
• Selective medium - Chloramphenicol inhibits bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Serratia marcescens , that are potential contaminants of cosmetic products
• The medium contains casein and meat peptones that supply essential amino acids, peptides, and nutrients necessary for microbial growth
• Dextrose is the source of carbohydrate energy
• Yeast extract supplies B-complex vitamins as well as serves as a growth enhancer
• Essential ions are provided by ammonium chloride and magnesium sulfate
• Sodium carbonate inactivates low levels of preservatives
• Chloramphenicol inhibits bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Serratia marcescens .