Skip to product information
Request a Quote
m-FC Agar (Base) | AS-1405 | Faecal Coliform Detection | AuSaMicS
$65.00 AUD
AuSaMicS Life Science™ · Dehydrated Culture Media · Water Microbiology
m-FC Agar (Base)
Membrane Faecal Coliform Selective Medium | 44.5°C | Cat: AS-1405
Gold-standard selective medium for thermotolerant faecal coliform detection by membrane filtration. Produces distinctive blue colonies at 44.5°C. Mandated by ISO 9308-1:2014, APHA Standard Methods 9222D, and AS/NZS 4276.7:2007. Australian stock held in Melbourne — same-day dispatch to NATA-accredited water testing laboratories nationwide.
AS-1405 🔵 Blue Colony Detection ✓ In Stock Australia ⚡ Same-Day Dispatch 🌡️ 44.5°C Thermotolerant 📋 ISO 9308-1:2014
Quick Specs
CatalogueAS-1405
Incubation Temp44.5 ± 0.2°C
Incubation Time24 ± 2 hours
Colony IndicatorBlue = faecal coliforms
Final pH7.4 ± 0.2
Dehydrated Dose52.1 g/L
Shelf Life3 years (dehydrated)
Overview
m-FC Agar Base (AS-1405) is a dehydrated selective culture medium designed for the membrane filtration enumeration of thermotolerant faecal coliforms in drinking water, recreational water, wastewater, and environmental water samples. Incubation at 44.5°C suppresses non-faecal coliforms, while lactose fermenters produce a characteristic blue colony colour via the aniline blue indicator system.
Manufactured and quality-tested at AuSaMicS's Thomastown facility, m-FC Agar Base AS-1405 meets the performance requirements of ISO 9308-1:2014, APHA Standard Methods 9222D, EPA Method 1103.1, and the Australian Standard AS/NZS 4276.7:2007. Complete analytical and regulatory documentation is provided with every order.
Applications
Drinking Water Compliance
Mandated method for faecal coliform testing in potable water under ADWG, ISO 9308-1, and AS/NZS 4276.7. Used by water authorities and NATA-accredited laboratories.
Recreational Water Monitoring
Bathing water and swimming pool compliance testing per EU Directive 2006/7/EC and Australian public health guidelines for beach and pool water quality.
Environmental Water Surveys
Routine monitoring of rivers, lakes, stormwater, and irrigation water for faecal contamination indicators in agricultural and environmental research programs.
Wastewater & Effluent Monitoring
Effluent quality compliance for wastewater treatment plants, discharge licence monitoring, and recycled water testing programs.
Food Process Water Testing
Verification of process water quality in food manufacturing, irrigation water for fresh produce, and cooling tower water microbiological surveillance.
Academic & Research
Teaching laboratories, environmental health research, and method validation studies requiring a standardised faecal coliform reference medium.
Water Testing Media Portfolio — Comparison
| Medium | Target Organism | Temperature | Colony Colour | Key Standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| m-FC Agar ← This product | Faecal coliforms (thermotolerant) | 44.5°C | 🔵 Blue | ISO 9308-1, APHA 9222D |
| m-Endo Agar | Total coliforms | 35°C | 🔴 Red + Golden Sheen | APHA 9222B |
| m-Enterococcus Agar | Enterococci | 35°C | 🟤 Pink-Red | APHA 9230C |
| Plate Count Agar | Heterotrophic bacteria (HPC) | 35°C | ⚪ Various | APHA 9215A |
Advantages, Limitations & Alternatives
✅ m-FC Agar Advantages
- ✓ Thermotolerant specificity: 44.5°C eliminates environmental coliforms
- ✓ Direct detection: No confirmation step required
- ✓ Regulatory mandate: ISO 9308-1:2014 primary method
- ✓ Rapid results: 24-hour incubation
- ✓ Clear endpoint: Unambiguous blue colony distinction
⚠️ Limitations to Consider
- ▲ Temperature critical: ±0.2°C precision required
- ▲ Rosolic acid light-sensitive: add after cooling, protect from light
- ▲ Prepared medium: 4-week refrigerated shelf life only
- ▲ Single target: Complement with HPC and enterococcus testing
🔄 When to Consider Alternatives
- ◆ Turbid/high-solids samples: MPN method preferred
- ◆ Marine water: Enterococcus more persistent indicator
- ◆ E. coli speciation: Chromocult or TBX agar more specific
- ◆ High-throughput: Colilert IDEXX quanti-tray system
Search & Discovery
Laboratories commonly find this product by searching:
- m-FC agar Australia buy
- membrane faecal coliform medium
- faecal coliform agar ISO 9308
- mFC agar 44.5 degrees
- APHA 9222D compliant medium
- water quality testing agar Melbourne
- AS NZS 4276.7 culture media
- thermotolerant coliform detection
- NATA water lab culture media Australia
- AS-1405 AuSaMicS
Ingredient Composition (per Litre)
| Ingredient | Concentration | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Tryptone | 10.0 g | Primary nitrogen source, protein hydrolysate for growth |
| Proteose Peptone No. 3 | 5.0 g | Complex nitrogen source, essential amino acids |
| Yeast Extract | 3.0 g | B-vitamins, growth factors, trace elements |
| Lactose | 12.5 g | Fermentable carbohydrate — acid production drives blue colour development via aniline blue |
| Bile Salts No. 3 | 1.5 g | Selective inhibitor — suppresses Gram-positive organisms |
| Sodium Chloride | 5.0 g | Osmotic balance, ionic strength maintenance |
| Aniline Blue | 0.1 g | pH indicator — produces characteristic blue colonies upon lactose fermentation |
| Rosolic Acid (1% solution)* | 10.0 mL | Selective inhibitor for Gram-positive organisms; added post-sterilisation |
| Agar | 15.0 g | Solidifying agent |
*Rosolic acid (1% solution in 95% ethanol) is added after autoclaving once the medium has cooled to ~50°C. It is not included in the dehydrated base powder. Total dehydrated weight (without rosolic acid): 52.1 g/L.
Detection Mechanism
m-FC Agar uses a two-part selectivity and indicator system. Elevated incubation temperature (44.5°C) acts as the primary thermotolerant filter, while the chemical system confirms identity through lactose fermentation:
Sample applied to 0.45 µm membrane filter ↓ Membrane placed on m-FC Agar + rosolic acid ↓ Incubation at 44.5 ± 0.2°C for 24 ± 2 hours ↓ Only thermotolerant coliforms survive and grow ↓ Lactose fermentation → Acid production → pH drop ↓ Aniline blue responds to pH change → Blue colonies ↓ Bile salts + Rosolic acid → Gram-positives and non-coliforms suppressed
Colony interpretation: Blue colonies = faecal coliforms (presumptive positive). Grey, cream, or colourless colonies = non-faecal coliforms (disregard). Count all blue colonies and express as CFU per 100 mL sample volume filtered.
Product Specifications
| Catalogue Number | AS-1405 |
| Dehydrated Dose | 52.1 g/L (excluding rosolic acid) |
| Final pH | 7.4 ± 0.2 at 25°C |
| Appearance (Powder) | Fine, free-flowing, pinkish-beige powder |
| Prepared Medium Colour | Cranberry red, opalescent |
| Incubation Temperature | 44.5 ± 0.2°C — precision mandatory |
| Incubation Time | 24 ± 2 hours |
| Positive Result | Blue colonies = thermotolerant faecal coliforms |
| Membrane Filter | 0.45 µm pore size (cellulose acetate or nitrate) |
| Sterilisation | Autoclave 121°C for 12 minutes only — do not exceed |
| Dehydrated Storage | 10–30°C, dry, away from light |
| Prepared Medium Storage | 2–8°C, maximum 4 weeks |
| Shelf Life (dehydrated) | 3 years from manufacture date |
Regulatory Standards Compliance
ISO 9308-1:2014Water quality — E. coli and coliform bacteria detection by membrane filtration
APHA 9222DStandard Methods — Faecal coliform membrane filter procedure
EPA Method 1103.1E. coli by membrane filtration using m-FC agar with rosolic acid
AS/NZS 4276.7:2007Australian Standard — thermotolerant coliforms in water
EU 2006/7/ECEU Bathing Water Directive — faecal indicator monitoring
Critical preparation notes: (1) Do not autoclave longer than 12 minutes — over-sterilisation degrades indicator compounds. (2) Cool to ~50°C before adding rosolic acid. (3) Rosolic acid is light-sensitive — prepare fresh and protect from direct light. (4) Validate your incubator with a calibrated NATA-traceable thermometer before every use — temperature precision is the most common source of false results.
Standard Membrane Filtration Protocol
| Step 1 — Preparation | Dissolve 52.1 g m-FC Agar Base in 1 L purified water. Mix well. |
| Step 2 — Sterilisation | Autoclave at 121°C for exactly 12 minutes. Cool to 50°C in a water bath. |
| Step 3 — Rosolic Acid | Add 10 mL sterile rosolic acid (1% in 95% ethanol) aseptically. Mix gently. Protect from light. |
| Step 4 — Pouring | Pour 4–5 mL per 60 mm Petri dish, or saturate absorbent pads with 1.8–2.0 mL each. Allow to solidify. |
| Step 5 — Filtration | Filter 100 mL sample (or appropriate dilution) through a sterile 0.45 µm membrane filter. |
| Step 6 — Transfer | Place membrane filter, grid side up, on the prepared m-FC agar plate or saturated pad. No air bubbles. |
| Step 7 — Incubation | Invert plates and incubate at 44.5 ± 0.2°C for 24 ± 2 hours in a calibrated water bath or incubator. |
| Step 8 — Reading | Count all blue colonies as faecal coliforms. Express results as CFU per 100 mL. |
Quality Control Testing
Quality control organisms and expected results for batch acceptance testing:
Positive ControlEscherichia coli ATCC 25922 — blue colonies, good growth at 44.5°C
Positive ControlE. coli ATCC 8739 — blue to blue-green colonies
Negative ControlEnterococcus faecalis ATCC 19433 — inhibited, no growth at 44.5°C
Negative ControlKlebsiella pneumoniae — pale/colourless colonies only (non-faecal)
pH Acceptance7.4 ± 0.2 at 25°C (measured before pouring)
Recovery Standard≥70% recovery vs. reference medium
Literature References
- Geldreich, E.E., & Kenner, B.A. (1969). Concepts of faecal streptococci in stream pollution. Journal WPCF, 41(8), R336–R352.
- ISO 9308-1:2014. Water quality — Enumeration of Escherichia coli and coliform bacteria — Part 1: Membrane filtration method. International Organization for Standardization.
- APHA, AWWA, WEF (2017). Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 23rd Edition. Method 9222D — Faecal Coliform Membrane Filter Procedure.
- Standards Australia. AS/NZS 4276.7:2007. Water microbiology — Detection and enumeration of thermotolerant coliforms and Escherichia coli.
- US EPA (2002). Method 1103.1: Escherichia coli in Water by Membrane Filtration Using mFC Agar with Rosolic Acid. EPA 821-R-02-020.
Available Pack Sizes
| Pack Size | Prepared Medium (approx.) | Recommended For |
|---|---|---|
| 100 g | ~1.9 L / ~72 plates (60 mm) | Method validation, small laboratory, low-volume testing |
| 500 g ⭐ Popular | ~9.6 L / ~365 plates | Routine NATA water testing lab — most popular for ongoing programmes |
| 1 kg | ~19.2 L / ~730 plates | High-throughput laboratory, continuous daily testing |
| 5 kg | ~96 L | Large facility, bulk procurement, government contract supply |
| Custom | On request | Institutional tender, bespoke quantities — contact us |
Custom quantities & institutional supply: For government tenders, NATA facility contracts, or quantities above 5 kg, request a quote. Purchase orders accepted from approved institutional accounts. No third-party distributor — direct from our Thomastown facility.
Order Information
| Catalogue Number | AS-1405 |
| Dispatch | Same-day for orders placed before 12:00 PM AEST (Melbourne, weekdays) |
| Shipping | Australia-wide via registered courier; ambient temperature shipping |
| Payment | Credit card, EFT, purchase order (approved institutional accounts) |
| COA | Provided with every shipment; additional batch reports available on request |
| Bulk / Tender Enquiries | ausamics.com.au/pages/request-a-quote |
Available Documents
| Certificate of Analysis (COA) | Batch-specific: pH, appearance, performance vs QC strains, lot number, expiry. Request COA → |
| Safety Data Sheet (SDS) | Full 16-section GHS/WHS 2023 compliant SDS (Australian format). Download SDS → |
| Technical Data Sheet (TDS) | Formulation detail, preparation instructions, QC organism data, protocol guidance, and storage conditions. |
| Product Datasheet (PD) | Summary for institutional procurement, LIMS entry, and laboratory record systems. |
Pre-purchase documentation for NATA labs: All documents available before order placement. Email support@ausamics.com.au with catalogue number AS-1405. Response within one business day.
Quality & Regulatory Notes
| Manufacturing | Controlled conditions with full batch traceability |
| Performance Testing | Every batch tested against ATCC reference strains (E. coli 25922, E. faecalis 19433) |
| Sterility Testing | USP <71> protocol applied to each production batch |
| Stability | 36-month stability validated under declared storage conditions |
| GHS Classification (AU) | WHS Regulations 2017 (Cth); GHS 7th Edition |
| Intended Use | Environmental testing and laboratory use only — not for food, feed, clinical diagnostic, cosmetic, or therapeutic use |
Complete Water Quality Testing System