Lysine Iron Agar (7211)
| Brand |
Catalog Number |
| Acumedia |
284920 |
| BD / Difco |
211363 |
| BD / BBL |
CM0381 |
| Oxoid |
1.1164 |
| Merck |
N/A |
Intended Use
Lysine Iron Agar is designed for the differentiation of microorganisms based on their lysine decarboxylase activity and hydrogen sulfide production. This medium is a crucial tool in microbiological testing and plays an essential role in identifying enteric bacteria.
Product Summary and Explanation
Developed according to the formulation by Edwards and Fife, Lysine Iron Agar offers a specialized nutrient environment to detect Salmonella arizonae. This organism is known for its rapid lactose fermentation, a process that can mask its hydrogen sulfide production on more general media like Triple Sugar Iron Agar. This suppression makes it vital to utilize a selective medium such as Lysine Iron Agar, which is free of lactose and instead incorporates lysine to differentiate enteric bacilli based on their metabolic capacities.
Through this innovative formulation, Lysine Iron Agar allows for the identification of bacteria that decarboxylate or deaminate lysine while producing significant amounts of hydrogen sulfide. Its specific application is recommended for detecting rapid lactose-fermenting Salmonella arizonae, which is crucial due to its association with foodborne infections.
This medium is widely adopted in standard methods for Salmonella testing, making it an indispensable tool for laboratories focusing on microbial analysis and food safety protocols.
