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EC Broth (E. coli Broth) | Selective Enrichment Medium | Ausamics
$35.00 AUD
Documentation
EC Broth (E. coli Broth)
AuSaMicS Life Science™ | www.ausamics.com.au
Product Description
Cat. No. AS-1214
For Laboratory Use Only
Catalog Number
AS-1214
Medium Type
Selective Enrichment Broth
Target Organisms
Escherichia coli & Fecal Coliforms
Final pH
6.9 ± 0.2
Overview
EC Broth (also known as E. coli Broth) is a selective enrichment liquid medium originally developed by Hajna and Perry (1951) for the detection, isolation, and enumeration of fecal coliforms, particularly Escherichia coli, in water, milk, food, and environmental samples.
The medium incorporates bile salts to inhibit Gram-positive bacteria and non-intestinal coliforms, while lactose serves as a fermentable carbohydrate to promote gas production in Durham tubes. A buffered phosphate system maintains stable pH and supports recovery of stressed or low-count organisms. Incubation at elevated temperature (44.5 °C) provides enhanced specificity for E. coli confirmation. EC Broth is widely used in the Most Probable Number (MPN) technique and complies with APHA, FDA-BAM, ISO 7251, and NF ISO 16649 methodologies.
Applications
💧
Water & Environmental Testing
- Selective enrichment and detection of fecal coliforms and E. coli in drinking, wastewater, and recreational water
- Environmental hygiene and microbiological monitoring programs
🥛
Food & Dairy Testing
- Enumeration of coliforms in milk, dairy products, shellfish, meat, and vegetables using MPN methods
- Confirmation of thermotolerant E. coli prior to subculture on EMB or MacConkey agar
Key Features & Benefits
🛡️
Selective Formulation
Bile salts inhibit Gram-positive bacteria while allowing high recovery of E. coli and fecal coliforms.
🫧
Gas Detection in Durham Tubes
Lactose fermentation produces gas for rapid presumptive identification of coliform organisms.
🌡️
Thermotolerant E. coli Confirmation
Elevated incubation at 44.5 °C enhances specificity for E. coli confirmation.
⚖️
Buffered Recovery System
Phosphate buffering stabilizes pH and supports recovery of stressed or low-count organisms.
Principle of the Medium
EC Broth selectively enriches fecal coliforms through bile salt inhibition of competing flora. Lactose fermentation by coliforms results in acid and gas production, detected using Durham tubes. The phosphate buffer system stabilises pH during incubation, while elevated temperature incubation (44.5 °C) suppresses non-thermotolerant organisms, enabling presumptive confirmation of E. coli.
Typical Composition (per Litre)
| Component | Concentration | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Tryptone (or Pancreatic Digest of Casein) | 20.0 g | Nitrogen and nutrient source |
| Lactose | 5.0 g | Fermentable carbohydrate for gas production |
| Bile Salts No. 3 | 1.12 g | Selective inhibitor |
| Sodium Chloride | 5.0 g | Osmotic balance |
| Dipotassium Phosphate | 4.0 g | Buffering agent |
| Potassium Dihydrogen Phosphate | 1.5 g | Buffering agent |
Composition & Properties
Recommended Reconstitution36.62 g per 1 L purified or distilled water
Appearance of Prepared MediumClear, light straw-coloured broth without precipitate
Final pH6.9 ± 0.2 at 25 °C
Medium FunctionSelective enrichment and detection of fecal coliforms and E. coli
Preparation
| Step | Procedure |
|---|---|
| 1 | Suspend 36.62 g of dehydrated medium in 1 L of purified or distilled water. |
| 2 | Mix thoroughly until dissolved; gentle heating may be used, but avoid boiling. |
| 3 | Dispense into tubes containing inverted Durham tubes (e.g., 10 mL per tube). |
| 4 | Sterilise by autoclaving at 121 °C (15 psi) for 15 minutes with caps loosened. |
| 5 | Cool to room temperature and tighten caps before use. |
Incubation & Interpretation
InoculationInoculate aseptically with homogenised sample dilutions
Coliform DetectionIncubate aerobically at 37 °C for 24 ± 2 hours
E. coli ConfirmationIncubate at 44.5 ± 0.2 °C in a water bath with water level above broth
Positive ReactionTurbidity with gas in Durham tube
Negative ReactionClear broth with no gas
Further ConfirmationPresumptive positives should be confirmed by biochemical testing such as IMViC
Storage & Stability
Dehydrated MediumStore at 10–30 °C in a tightly closed container, protected from moisture and light
Prepared BrothStore at 2–8 °C in sealed tubes and use within 2 weeks
Discard CriteriaDiscard if turbid without inoculation, contaminated, or discoloured
Quality & Compliance
ManufacturingManufactured under controlled conditions for batch-to-batch consistency
Methods / StandardsCompliant with APHA, FDA-BAM, ISO 7251, and NF ISO 16649 methodologies
PerformancePerformance comparable to leading international reference media suppliers
HS / AHECC Code3821.00.00
Trade DescriptionPrepared culture media for the development or maintenance of microorganisms
⚠ Intended Use
For laboratory research and microbiological quality control use only. Not for human or veterinary consumption. Handle using appropriate biosafety precautions (BSL-2).
Disclaimer
This product is supplied for laboratory and industrial microbiology use only. Performance depends on correct preparation, storage, inoculation, incubation, and interpretation conditions. End users are responsible for validating suitability for their intended application and quality system.
Safety Data Sheet
EC Broth (E. coli Broth) | Cat. AS-1214
SDS — GHS Format
SDS-AS-1214 | Rev. 1.0
Issue Date: March 2026
Section 1 — Identification
Product NameEC Broth (E. coli Broth)
Catalog No.AS-1214
Recommended UseSelective enrichment and detection of fecal coliforms and Escherichia coli in laboratory and industrial microbiology
SupplierAuSaMicS Pty Ltd, 31 Longview CT, Thomastown VIC 3074, Australia
Emergency Contact+61 412 520 598 | support@ausamics.com.au
Emergency ServicesAustralia: 000 | Poisons Information Centre: 13 11 26
Section 2 — Hazard Identification
GHS Classification: Not generally classified as hazardous under normal laboratory use. Powder may cause mild irritation to eyes, skin, or respiratory tract if dust is generated.
Signal WordNone required
Hazard StatementsNot classified as hazardous. Avoid unnecessary dust formation and contact with eyes, skin, and respiratory tract.
Precautionary StatementsUse good laboratory practice. Avoid inhalation of dust. Wear suitable gloves, eye protection, and laboratory coat when handling bulk powder.
Regulatory StatusFor laboratory use only. Not intended for human or veterinary consumption.
Section 3 — Composition / Ingredients
| Component | Typical Content | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Tryptone / Pancreatic Digest of Casein | 20.0 g/L | Nutrient source |
| Lactose | 5.0 g/L | Fermentable carbohydrate |
| Bile Salts No. 3 | 1.12 g/L | Selective inhibitor |
| Sodium Chloride | 5.0 g/L | Osmotic balance |
| Dipotassium Phosphate | 4.0 g/L | Buffering agent |
| Potassium Dihydrogen Phosphate | 1.5 g/L | Buffering agent |
Section 4 — First Aid Measures
Skin ContactWash with soap and water. Seek medical advice if irritation develops.
Eye ContactRinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Seek medical advice if irritation persists.
InhalationMove to fresh air if dust is inhaled. Seek medical advice if symptoms persist.
IngestionRinse mouth with water. Seek medical advice if discomfort occurs.
Section 5 — Fire-Fighting Measures
Suitable Extinguishing MediaWater spray, foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide
Specific HazardsCombustible organic components may generate smoke and carbon oxides when heated strongly
Protective EquipmentUse standard fire-fighting PPE and respiratory protection where required
Section 6 — Accidental Release Measures
Personal PrecautionsAvoid generating dust. Wear gloves and eye protection during cleanup.
Environmental PrecautionsPrevent bulk release to drains and waterways.
Clean-Up MethodsSweep or vacuum into a suitable container. Wipe remaining residue with a damp cloth.
Sections 7–16 — Handling, Storage, PPE, Physical, Stability, Disposal, Transport, Regulatory
HandlingUse good laboratory practices. Avoid inhalation of dust and contact with eyes or skin.
StorageDehydrated medium: 10–30 °C, tightly closed, protected from moisture and light. Prepared broth: 2–8 °C in sealed tubes.
PPEGloves, safety glasses, and laboratory coat recommended for bulk handling.
AppearanceDehydrated powder for microbiological medium preparation
Prepared MediumClear, light straw-coloured broth
Final pH6.9 ± 0.2 at 25 °C
StabilityStable under recommended storage conditions
DisposalDispose according to local laboratory and environmental regulations
TransportTypically not classified as dangerous goods
Prepared ByAuSaMicS Pty Ltd — Quality & Regulatory Affairs
Disclaimer
This SDS-style content is provided in website format and should be aligned with your approved internal or regulatory safety documentation before publication where required.
Certificate of Analysis
EC Broth (E. coli Broth) | Cat. AS-1214
COA — Batch Specific
COA-AS-1214-L001
Issue Date: March 2026
Product Information
Product NameEC Broth (E. coli Broth)
Catalog No.AS-1214
Medium TypeSelective enrichment broth
Target OrganismsEscherichia coli and fecal coliforms
Final pH6.9 ± 0.2 at 25 °C
ApplicationDetection, isolation, and enumeration of fecal coliforms in water, milk, food, and environmental samples
Lot / Batch Information
Lot NumberAS1214-L001
Manufacture DateMarch 2026
Expiry DateMarch 2029
Storage10–30 °C, dry and tightly closed
AppearanceConforms ✓
Pack SizeTBD
Analytical Test Results
| No. | Test / Criteria | Method | Specification / Limit | Result | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Appearance | Visual inspection | Homogeneous dehydrated powder | Conforms | PASS |
| 2 | Colour of Prepared Medium | Visual inspection | Clear, light straw-coloured broth | Conforms | PASS |
| 3 | pH (prepared medium) | Potentiometry | 6.9 ± 0.2 at 25 °C | Conforms | PASS |
| 4 | Solubility / Clarity | Preparation test | Completely dissolved; no precipitate | Conforms | PASS |
| 5 | Selectivity | Biological performance test | Inhibits non-target organisms as specified | Conforms | PASS |
| 6 | Gas Production Support | Biological performance test | Supports lactose fermentation with gas production in Durham tubes | Conforms | PASS |
| 7 | Sterility Check | Incubation / QC | No contamination in uninoculated control | Conforms | PASS |
Overall Batch Disposition
RELEASED — COMPLIES WITH SPECIFICATIONS
Authorisation
Analysed By
QC Analyst | AuSaMicS Pty Ltd
Date: _______________
Approved & Released By
Quality Manager | AuSaMicS Pty Ltd
Date: _______________
Disclaimer
This Certificate of Analysis applies only to the batch identified above and reflects testing of a representative sample. End users should verify suitability under their own operating conditions and quality systems.