Thermo Scientific™ Esculin Hydrolysis Agar

Description

• 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 1909 1
• In 1924, Rochaix used esculin hydrolysis to identify group D streptococci 2
• Smith later suggested that esculin hydrolysis test can be used to differentiate certain anaerobic bacteria 3
• In 1974, Dowell et al
• used the esculin hydrolysis test to differentiate Bacteroides species 4
• 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 compound 5
• 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
• Not all products are available for sale in all territories
• Please inquire
• Remel™ and Oxoid™ products are now part of the Thermo Scientific brand.