Violet Red Bile Agar Culture Medium
Item Name Code (INC) 40664
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Additional Information for Violet Red Bile Agar Culture Medium
Violet Red Bile Agar (VRBA) is a culture medium used in microbiology for the selective isolation and enumeration of coliform bacteria, particularly Escherichia coli (E. coli), from food and water samples. It is classified as an in vitro diagnostic substance and falls under the supply class of In Vitro Diagnostic Substances, Reagents, Test Kits, and Sets in the supply group of Medical, Dental, and Veterinary Equipment and Supplies.
VRBA contains a combination of ingredients that inhibit the growth of non-coliform bacteria while allowing the growth of coliforms. The agar medium is supplemented with bile salts, crystal violet dye, and lactose. Bile salts inhibit the growth of Gram-positive bacteria, while crystal violet dye inhibits the growth of Gram-negative bacteria other than coliforms. Lactose serves as a fermentable carbohydrate that allows the differentiation of coliforms based on their ability to ferment lactose.
When a sample is inoculated onto VRBA, coliform bacteria, including E. coli, will grow and produce colonies that appear red or pink due to the fermentation of lactose. Non-coliform bacteria will either not grow or produce colonies that appear colorless or pale.
The use of VRBA is important in food and water testing as coliform bacteria, particularly E. coli, can indicate the presence of fecal contamination and potential health risks. By selectively isolating and enumerating coliforms, VRBA helps in the detection and monitoring of these bacteria in various samples.
It is worth noting that VRBA is just one of many culture media used in microbiology for different purposes. Each medium has specific ingredients and characteristics tailored to the isolation and identification of particular microorganisms.
Related Item Names for INC 40664 Violet Red Bile Agar Culture Medium
NATO Stock Numbers with Item Name 40664 Violet Red Bile Agar Culture Medium Page 1 of 1
- 0012-01
- RNCC: 3 | RNVC: 2 | DAC: 4
- 1.01406.0500
- RNCC: 3 | RNVC: 2 | DAC: 3