Violet Red Bile Agar w/MUG
Intended Use
Violet Red Bile Agar w/MUG is specifically formulated for the detection of coliforms and the fluorogenic identification of Escherichia coli. This agar medium is essential for various microbiological applications, particularly in food and dairy products.
Product Summary and Explanation
Violet Red Bile Agar w/MUG is widely utilized in standard procedures for enumerating coliforms in food and dairy samples. The innovative incorporation of 4-methylumbelliferyl-β-D-glucuronide (MUG) allows for the rapid fluorogenic detection of E. coli. Initially developed by Feng and Hartman in 1982, this method enhances traditional microbiological assays by enabling the identification of E. coli amid coliform colonies. The procedure is outlined in various standard methods, designating this medium as VRBA w/MUG.
Principles of the Procedure
This medium comprises several key components that facilitate the growth and differentiation of target microorganisms:
- Enzymatic Digest of Gelatin: Provides essential carbon, nitrogen, vitamins, and minerals needed for bacterial growth.
- Yeast Extract: An additional source of B-complex vitamins that significantly enhance microbial development.
- Bile Salts Mixture and Crystal Violet: These agents effectively inhibit the growth of Gram-positive bacteria, promoting selective activity of coliforms.
- Lactose: Serves as the primary carbohydrate source, supporting fermentation processes.
- Neutral Red: Acts as a pH indicator, allowing for visual assessment of microbial growth.
- MUG (4-methylumbelliferyl-β-D-glucuronide): This substrate is crucial for detecting glucuronidase activity specific to E. coli.
- Agar: Functions as the solidifying agent that provides the medium with its structure.
The Violet Red Bile Agar w/MUG is an indispensable tool for microbiologists seeking precise and reliable methods for the detection of E. coli and total coliform counts, making it a vital resource in food safety and quality control.
