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APT Agar | All-Purpose Tween 80 Agar | Lactic Acid Bacteria
$115.00 AUD
Documentation
APT Agar (All Purpose Tween Agar)
Non-Selective Cultivation Medium for Heterofermentative Lactobacilli, Leuconostoc & High-Thiamine Organisms | Cat. No. AS-1120
Cat. No. AS-1120 pH 6.7 ± 0.2 61.2 g/L HiMedia M226 Equivalent 🇦🇺 Made in Melbourne ⚡ Same-Week Dispatch
Who uses this: 🥩 Food & Meat QC Labs 🏭 Dairy & Beverage QC 🎓 University Food Micro Depts 🔬 NATA-Accredited Labs 🧪 Lactic Acid Bacteria Research
📄 Full DocumentationCOA, TDS & SDS every batch
🇦🇺 Australian StockNo import delays
⚡ Same-Week DispatchEpping, Melbourne warehouse
🔬 Technical SupportDirect from our formulation team
In stock — Melbourne warehouse. Orders placed before 2pm AEST typically dispatch same day.
Overview
APT Agar (AS-1120) — All Purpose Tween Agar — is a non-selective dehydrated culture medium originally developed by Deibel, Evans & Niven for the cultivation of heterofermentative lactic acid bacteria and organisms with a high thiamine requirement. It is the solid plating counterpart most widely used for isolating and enumerating Lactobacillus, Leuconostoc, Lactococcus and Pediococcus species from meat, dairy, and fermented food products.
AS-1120 is manufactured in Melbourne to the verified original formula, including the full trace-mineral system (manganese chloride, magnesium sulfate, ferrous sulfate) and thiamine hydrochloride that lactobacilli require for replication — components frequently under-specified in generic "all purpose" media.
Mode of Action
Nutrient-Rich, Non-Selective Recovery for Fastidious Lactic Acid Bacteria
Casein Peptone and Yeast Extract supply amino acids, peptides, and B-complex vitamins — including the high thiamine levels lactobacilli need for growth. Dextrose is the fermentable carbohydrate energy source. Sodium Citrate and Dipotassium Phosphate buffer the medium and partially suppress competing Gram-negative flora. Manganese Chloride, Magnesium Sulfate, and Ferrous Sulfate supply the metallic ions lactobacilli require for enzymatic replication. Tween 80 (Polysorbate 80) supplies the fatty acids many lactobacilli cannot synthesise themselves. Because APT Agar is non-selective, coliforms and other common bacteria will also grow — confirmatory biochemical or molecular testing on isolated colonies is recommended.
Casein Peptone and Yeast Extract supply amino acids, peptides, and B-complex vitamins — including the high thiamine levels lactobacilli need for growth. Dextrose is the fermentable carbohydrate energy source. Sodium Citrate and Dipotassium Phosphate buffer the medium and partially suppress competing Gram-negative flora. Manganese Chloride, Magnesium Sulfate, and Ferrous Sulfate supply the metallic ions lactobacilli require for enzymatic replication. Tween 80 (Polysorbate 80) supplies the fatty acids many lactobacilli cannot synthesise themselves. Because APT Agar is non-selective, coliforms and other common bacteria will also grow — confirmatory biochemical or molecular testing on isolated colonies is recommended.
Applications
🥫
Canned & Cured Meats
Greening/spoilage lactobacilli detection
🥛
Dairy QC
Lactic acid bacteria enumeration
🍺
Beverage Spoilage
Fruit juice & fermented beverage QC
🥬
Fermented Foods
Sauerkraut & vegetable fermentation studies
📊
Thiamine Assay
Stock culture maintenance — Weissella viridescens ATCC 12706
🎓
Research & Teaching
Lactic acid bacteria taxonomy & physiology
FAQs
❓ Why does APT Agar contain manganese, magnesium and iron salts?
Lactobacilli and related lactic acid bacteria have a metabolic dependence on Mn²⁺ in particular — it substitutes for the superoxide dismutase enzyme many lactobacilli lack, protecting them from oxidative stress. Magnesium and ferrous ions support additional enzymatic replication steps. These trace metals are part of the original Deibel/Evans/Niven specification and are retained in full in AS-1120.
❓ Is APT Agar selective for lactobacilli?
No — APT Agar is non-selective. Coliforms and many other common bacteria will grow readily. It is formulated to favour recovery of fastidious, thiamine-requiring lactic acid bacteria, but confirmatory biochemical, serological, or molecular testing on isolated colonies is recommended for definitive identification.
❓ What does a slight opalescence in prepared plates mean?
A light amber colour with slight opalescence is the normal, expected appearance of prepared APT Agar plates. It does not indicate a quality issue.
❓ Is AS-1120 equivalent to HiMedia M226 or Hardy CRITERION APT Agar?
Yes — AS-1120 follows the same verified original APT Agar formula used by HiMedia (M226) and Hardy Diagnostics (CRITERION C5030). AS-1120 is manufactured in Melbourne with same-week dispatch and full Australian batch documentation — no import delays.
Cross-Reference / Equivalent Products
| Supplier | Product Name | Cat. No. | AuSaMicS Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| HiMedia | APT Agar | M226 | Melbourne stock; Australian regulatory compliance |
| Hardy Diagnostics | CRITERION™ APT Agar | C5030 | Australian manufactured — no import lead times |
| Liofilchem | APT Agar | 610300 | Full GHS documentation included; same-week dispatch |
| Condalab | APT Agar (All Purpose Tween) | 1294 | Direct founder microbiologist support; competitive pricing |
Product Identification
| Product Name | APT Agar (All Purpose Tween Agar) |
| Common Names | APT Agar; All Purpose Tween Agar |
| Catalogue Number | AS-1120 |
| Reference Standard | Deibel, Evans & Niven (1957); Evans & Niven (1951) original formulation |
| Reconstitution | 61.2 g/L |
| Final pH at 25°C | 6.7 ± 0.2 |
| Sterilisation | Autoclave 121°C for 15 minutes |
| Pour Temperature | 45–50°C |
| Dehydrated Appearance | Homogeneous, free-flowing, light beige powder |
| Prepared Appearance | Slightly opalescent, medium amber gel |
| Shelf Life | 2 years from manufacture in original sealed packaging |
| Equivalents | HiMedia M226 | Hardy Diagnostics CRITERION C5030 |
Formula — Per Litre (Verified Original Specification)
✓ Verified formula cross-checked against Hardy Diagnostics CRITERION™ APT Agar (C5030) technical data and HiMedia M226 published specification.
| Ingredient | Amount | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Casein Peptone | 12.5 g | Amino acids, peptides, nitrogen source |
| Dextrose | 10.0 g | Fermentable carbohydrate energy source |
| Yeast Extract | 7.5 g | B-complex vitamins, high thiamine content |
| Sodium Chloride | 5.0 g | Osmotic balance |
| Sodium Citrate | 5.0 g | Buffering; partial suppression of Gram-negative flora |
| Dipotassium Phosphate | 5.0 g | Buffering agent |
| Magnesium Sulfate | 0.8 g | Enzyme cofactor |
| Tween 80 (Polysorbate 80) | 0.2 g | Fatty acid source for lactobacilli |
| Manganese Chloride | 0.14 g | Essential trace ion for lactobacilli replication |
| Ferrous Sulfate | 0.04 g | Trace iron; enzymatic cofactor |
| Thiamine Hydrochloride | 0.001 g | Essential vitamin — high-thiamine-requiring organisms |
| Agar | 15.0 g | Solidifying agent |
| Total | 61.2 g/L | Final pH 6.7 ± 0.2 at 25°C |
Preparation Protocol
| 1 | Suspend 61.2 g of dehydrated powder in 1 litre of distilled or deionised water. Stir to mix thoroughly. |
| 2 | Heat to boiling for 1 minute with agitation to dissolve completely. Do not overheat. |
| 3 | Verify pH is 6.7 ± 0.2 at 25°C before sterilisation. Adjust if necessary. |
| 4 | Autoclave at 121°C for 15 minutes. |
| 5 | Cool to 45–50°C in a water bath. Pour ~20 mL per 90 mm Petri dish on a level surface. |
| 6 | Allow to solidify. Dry plates briefly with lids ajar before use. Store prepared plates at 2–8°C in sealed bags. |
⚠️ Because APT Agar is non-selective, coliforms and other common contaminants will grow readily. Confirmatory biochemical or molecular testing is required for definitive identification of lactic acid bacteria isolates.
Quality Control — Performance Organism
| Organism (ATCC) | Inoculum | Incubation | Expected Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lactobacillus fermentum (9338) | ≤100 CFU | 35°C / 24–48h, aerobic | Good growth |
Storage
| Dehydrated Powder | 2–30°C, tightly sealed, protected from moisture and light |
| Prepared Plates | 2–8°C in sealed bags; use within 3 months |
Literature References
- Evans JB, Niven CF Jr. Nutrition of the heterofermentative lactobacilli that cause greening of cured meat products. J Bacteriol. 1951;62:599–603.
- Deibel RH, Evans JB, Niven CF Jr. Microbiological assay for thiamine using Lactobacillus viridescens. J Bacteriol. 1957;74:818–821.
- APHA Technical Committee on Microbiological Methods for Foods. Compendium of Methods for the Microbiological Examination of Foods. Washington, D.C.: APHA.
- ISO 11133:2014. Microbiology of food, animal feed and water — culture media performance testing.
📄 Full 16-section GHS SDS available (Australian WHS Regulations 2023 / GHS 7th Edition) — support@ausamics.com
Section 1 — Identification
| Product Name | APT Agar (All Purpose Tween Agar) |
| Catalogue No. | AS-1120 |
| Supplier | AuSaMicS Pty Ltd | ABN 56 676 640 467 |
| Address | 36/25 Trafalgar Road, Epping, VIC 3076, Australia |
| Emergency | Poisons Information Centre: 13 11 26 (24 hr) |
| Phone | +61 412 520 598 |
| support@ausamics.com |
Section 2 — Hazard Identification
✓
Not classified as hazardous — GHS / Safe Work Australia No GHS hazard pictograms, signal word, or hazard statements are assigned under Safe Work Australia GHS criteria for the dehydrated powder. This product does not meet the threshold criteria for any hazard category in the Hazardous Chemical Information System (HCIS).
| Signal Word | None required |
| Hazard Statements | None assigned |
| Precautionary Statements | P260 — Do not breathe dust | P264 — Wash hands thoroughly after handling | P272 — Contaminated clothing not to leave the workplace |
Laboratory Biosafety Notice: APT Agar is a microbiological growth medium. Once inoculated, it supports growth of bacteria including potential contaminant pathogens. Handle inoculated material under appropriate biosafety containment per AS/NZS 2243.3 and your institution's biosafety manual.
Section 3 — Composition / Information on Ingredients
| Component | Proportion (%) | HCIS Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Casein Peptone | ~20.4 | Not classified |
| Dextrose | ~16.3 | Not classified |
| Yeast Extract | ~12.3 | Not classified |
| Sodium Chloride | ~8.2 | Not classified |
| Sodium Citrate | ~8.2 | Not classified |
| Dipotassium Phosphate | ~8.2 | Mild irritant at high concentration |
| Agar | ~24.5 | Not classified |
| Magnesium Sulfate, Manganese Chloride, Ferrous Sulfate, Tween 80, Thiamine HCl | <2 combined | Not classified at use level |
First Aid & PPE Summary
| Eye Contact | Flush immediately with copious water 15 min. Seek medical attention if irritation persists. |
| Skin Contact (molten agar) | Cool immediately under cold running water. Seek medical attention for burns. |
| Inhalation | Remove to fresh air. Seek medical attention if symptoms develop. |
| Ingestion | Do not induce vomiting. Rinse mouth. Seek medical advice. |
| PPE | Safety glasses, gloves, lab coat. Thermal gloves for molten agar handling. |
| Biosafety Disposal | Autoclave all inoculated plates (121°C / 15 min minimum) before disposal per institutional procedures. |
| Transport | Not classified as Dangerous Goods — ADG, IATA, IMDG |
Quality Specifications
| Parameter | Specification | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance (powder) | Homogeneous, free-flowing, light beige powder | Visual |
| Appearance (prepared) | Slightly opalescent, medium amber gel — normal | Visual after pouring |
| pH (prepared, 25°C) | 6.7 ± 0.2 | pH meter (calibrated) |
| Moisture (powder) | ≤5.0% | Loss on drying |
| Gel Strength | Firm, uniform gel; no syneresis on plates | Visual / tilt test |
| Growth Promotion | Lactobacillus fermentum ATCC 9338 — good growth, 24–48h | QC organism test |
| Sterility (uninoculated) | No growth at 35°C / 48h | Sterility check |
| Batch COA | Lot-specific, included with every order | — |
Pack Sizes
| 500 g | Makes ~8.2 litres prepared medium |
| 2 kg ⭐ | Makes ~32.7 litres prepared medium — most popular |
| Custom / Bulk | Contact support@ausamics.com for project-specific or bulk quantities |
Manufacturing & Documentation
Manufactured by AuSaMicS Pty Ltd
36/25 Trafalgar Road, Epping VIC 3076, Australia | ABN 56 676 640 467
✓ Formulated to the original verified APT Agar specification
✓ Full trace-mineral system (Mn, Mg, Fe) and thiamine HCl included in full
✓ COA, TDS, SDS included with every order
✓ Australian stock — same-week dispatch, no import delays
✓ Direct founder microbiologist technical support
36/25 Trafalgar Road, Epping VIC 3076, Australia | ABN 56 676 640 467
✓ Formulated to the original verified APT Agar specification
✓ Full trace-mineral system (Mn, Mg, Fe) and thiamine HCl included in full
✓ COA, TDS, SDS included with every order
✓ Australian stock — same-week dispatch, no import delays
✓ Direct founder microbiologist technical support
⚠️ For laboratory, food QC, and research use only. Not for human consumption, therapeutic, or veterinary use.