Columbia Broth Base is a Tris/cysteine-buffered, nutritionally rich enrichment broth originally devised by Morello and Ellner (1969) as the liquid counterpart to Columbia Blood Agar Base (Ellner et al., 1966), specifically for improved recovery of microorganisms from blood cultures. Pancreatic digest of casein, proteose peptone, yeast extract and beef-heart digest supply amino acids, peptides, vitamins and carbohydrates, while an increased concentration of L-cysteine (as reducing agent), magnesium and ferrous salts, and a Tris buffer system support faster, more luxuriant growth of both aerobic and anaerobic organisms than conventional general-purpose broths.

Unlike Columbia Agar Base, the broth deliberately omits corn starch (kept only in the agar formulation) to reduce opalescence and keep the medium optically clear for turbidity-based reading. When supplemented with 5–10% defibrinated blood/serum, or with SPS (sodium polyanethol sulfonate) for blood-culture applications, it becomes further enriched for organisms requiring additional growth factors.

The Tris (hydroxymethyl aminomethane / Tris-HCl) buffer system maintains stable near-neutral pH through active growth. L-cysteine hydrochloride lowers redox potential, favouring recovery of anaerobic and fastidious organisms; magnesium and ferrous sulfate act as essential growth co-factors; sodium carbonate assists pH stabilisation and CO₂ availability, which is stimulatory for many fastidious species. In comparative studies, Columbia Broth showed superior growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, viridans streptococci and Enterococcus groups relative to common general-purpose broths of the period.

• Tris/cysteine-buffered formulation supports faster, more luxuriant growth than simple peptone broths
• Effective for aerobic, microaerophilic and anaerobic recovery
• Compatible with blood, serum, or SPS supplementation for blood-culture use
• Clear to light amber base allows easy visual turbidity assessment
• Each batch growth-promotion tested against defined ATCC indicator strains

• Primary recovery of microorganisms from blood cultures (aerobic and anaerobic)
• Enrichment of fastidious pathogens such as Haemophilus influenzae and Neisseria gonorrhoeae from blood, CSF and genital swabs
• Cultivation and maintenance of streptococci, staphylococci and Enterobacteriaceae
• Support medium for antimicrobial susceptibility testing workflows
• Base for selective enrichment broths when supplemented with antibiotics for food microbiology testing

Cross-reference numbers are provided as a general equivalence guide only; always confirm current catalogue codes and specifications directly with the respective supplier before substitution.

• "Columbia Broth Base for blood culture recovery Australia"
• "Tris cysteine buffered enrichment broth fastidious organisms"
• "Where to buy Columbia Broth dehydrated medium supplier"
• "Best broth for anaerobic and aerobic blood culture recovery"
• "Columbia Broth Base composition and preparation Morello Ellner"

Final pH: 7.5 ± 0.2 at 25 °C. Optional: Defibrinated Sheep Blood 50–100 mL/L (5–10%), or SPS at 0.01% final concentration for blood-culture use.

Peptones and extracts supply nitrogen, amino acids and growth factors; dextrose provides a fermentable energy source. The Tris buffer system maintains stable pH through growth; L-cysteine lowers redox potential to favour anaerobic/fastidious recovery; Mg²⁺ and Fe²⁺ act as co-factors; sodium carbonate supports CO₂ availability, which is stimulatory for many fastidious species.

• Suspend 35.0 g of dehydrated medium in 1 L of purified or distilled water
• Heat with gentle agitation to boiling until completely dissolved
• If desired, add SPS to a final concentration of 0.01% for blood-culture use
• Dispense into tubes, bottles or flasks; sterilise by autoclaving at 121 °C (15 psi) for 15 minutes
• Cool to 45–50 °C; for enriched broth, aseptically add 50–100 mL/L sterile defibrinated blood or serum

• Morello, J.A. & Ellner, P.D. (1969). Superiority of Columbia broth in blood culture. Applied Microbiology, 17(1), 68–70.
• Ellner, P.D. et al. (1966). A new culture medium for medical bacteriology. American Journal of Clinical Pathology, 45(4), 502–504.
• Reller, L.B., Murray, P.R. & MacLowry, J.D. (1982). Cumitech 1A: Blood Cultures II. ASM, Washington D.C.

This product is a nutrient-rich dehydrated growth medium composed of peptones, extracts, sugars and mineral salts. As supplied (dehydrated), it does not support microbial growth and presents no infectious hazard. Dust generated during weighing/handling may cause mechanical irritation — treat as a nuisance dust.

• Minimise dust generation during weighing/transfer; use in a well-ventilated area
• Store dehydrated medium at 15–30 °C, tightly closed, protected from moisture and light
• Wear safety glasses and gloves when handling powder; wash hands after use

Once rehydrated and inoculated, the prepared medium may support growth of the organism(s) introduced by the user. Handle inoculated/prepared broth under your laboratory's own biosafety procedures appropriate to the organisms cultured, and decontaminate (e.g. autoclave) before disposal.

This is a summary only. Refer to the full 16-section Safety Data Sheet for complete composition, toxicological, ecological and regulatory information.

Full batch-specific Certificates of Analysis are available for download below or on request, quoting the lot number printed on your product label.