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m-FC Broth | Selective Medium for Fecal Coliform Detection | AS‑1291
$45.00 AUD
AuSaMicS Life Science • Selective Culture Media
m-FC Broth
membrane Fecal Coliform Broth
Gold-standard selective broth for fecal coliform enumeration in water and environmental samples. Employs membrane filtration at 44.5°C — blue colonies confirm fecal coliforms with exceptional specificity.
Cat #: AS-1291
APHA 9222D Compliant
✓ Australian Stock
🔵 Blue Colony Detection
🚀 Same-Day Dispatch: Australian Stock
💧 Water Testing: APHA & ISO 9308 Method
🌡️ 44.5°C Incubation: Thermotolerant selectivity
🏆 Water Quality Specialist
🔵 Blue Colonies — Visual fecal coliform ID
🌡️ 44.5°C Method — Thermotolerant selectivity
📋 Complete Package — COA + SDS included
⚡ Fast Supply — Ships within 24h
📞 Expert Support — Method optimization
Membrane Filtration Ready
Pre-formulated for direct use with 0.45 µm filters
🔬 Technical Overview & Biochemistry
m-FC Broth is a selective enrichment medium designed for the membrane filtration enumeration of fecal coliforms (thermotolerant coliforms) in water, wastewater, and environmental samples. Its selectivity is based on a dual mechanism:
Selectivity Mechanism:
Rosolic Acid — Inhibits gram-positive organisms and many non-coliform gram-negatives
Bile Salts — Suppress non-enteric flora
Elevated Temperature (44.5°C) — Restricts growth to thermotolerant fecal coliforms only
Aniline Blue — Chromogen; fecal coliforms produce blue pigment via β-galactosidase activity
Rosolic Acid — Inhibits gram-positive organisms and many non-coliform gram-negatives
Bile Salts — Suppress non-enteric flora
Elevated Temperature (44.5°C) — Restricts growth to thermotolerant fecal coliforms only
Aniline Blue — Chromogen; fecal coliforms produce blue pigment via β-galactosidase activity
Colony Interpretation: Blue colonies = confirmed fecal coliforms (including E. coli). Grey/cream colonies = non-fecal coliforms (disregard).
⚙️ Mode of Action
Fecal coliforms ferment lactose and produce β-galactosidase at elevated temperature (44.5°C). Aniline blue in the medium is incorporated and oxidised during colony growth, forming an insoluble blue pigment. Rosolic acid and bile salts act synergistically to suppress background flora, ensuring that only thermotolerant, faecal-origin coliforms form countable blue colonies on the membrane filter surface.
📊 Water Quality Media Comparison
🧬 Applications
💧 Drinking Water Testing
Regulatory monitoring of potable water for fecal contamination per ADWG and NHMRC guidelines using membrane filtration.
🏭 Wastewater Monitoring
Effluent quality assessment and compliance testing for fecal coliform load reduction targets.
🏊 Recreational Water
Beaches, rivers, swimming pools, and recreational water bodies — routine bathing water quality surveillance.
🌾 Environmental & Agricultural
Irrigation water, stormwater runoff, groundwater, and soil leachate testing for microbial safety.
Additional Laboratory Applications:
- Food Processing Water: CIP and process water validation
- NATA Accredited Labs: Routine water microbiology panels
- Research: Coliform ecology and population studies
- Aquaculture: Hatchery and pond water testing
- Mining Water: Acid mine drainage quality monitoring
- Council Labs: Stormwater and waterway compliance
📋 Membrane Filtration Procedure (APHA 9222D)
1️⃣
Filter Sample
Filter 100 mL sample through 0.45 µm membrane filter
2️⃣
Transfer Membrane
Place filter on m-FC Broth–saturated absorbent pad in Petri dish
3️⃣
Incubate
44.5°C ± 0.2°C in sealed/waterproof container for 24 ± 2 h
4️⃣
Count Blue Colonies
Count all blue colonies — report as CFU/100 mL
⚠️ Critical: Temperature precision is essential. Use a certified water bath held at 44.5 ± 0.2°C. Seal dishes with waterproof tape to prevent condensation interference.
💡 Protocol Optimization Guidelines
Preparation:
Dissolve 37.0 g/L in purified water. Heat to dissolve. Do NOT autoclave — boil gently only.
Dissolve 37.0 g/L in purified water. Heat to dissolve. Do NOT autoclave — boil gently only.
pH:
7.4 ± 0.2 at 25°C after preparation
7.4 ± 0.2 at 25°C after preparation
Volume per Pad:
1.8–2.0 mL per absorbent pad (47 mm dish)
1.8–2.0 mL per absorbent pad (47 mm dish)
Storage (prepared):
Prepared medium: 2–8°C, use within 96 h. Dehydrated powder: ≤25°C, dry, dark place.
Prepared medium: 2–8°C, use within 96 h. Dehydrated powder: ≤25°C, dry, dark place.
📋 Technical Specifications
| Catalogue Number | AS-1291 |
| Full Name | membrane Fecal Coliform Broth |
| Format | Dehydrated powder |
| Reconstitution | 37.0 g/L in purified water |
| pH (25°C) | 7.4 ± 0.2 |
| Incubation Temp | 44.5°C ± 0.2°C |
| Incubation Time | 24 ± 2 hours |
| Positive Result | Blue colonies |
| Negative Result | Cream / no growth |
| Sterilization | DO NOT autoclave — gentle boiling only |
| Storage (powder) | Below 25°C, dry place |
| HS Code | 3821.00.00 |
✅ Quality Control Performance
| Test Organism | ATCC | Expected Result | CFU Spec |
|---|---|---|---|
| Escherichia coli | 25922 | Blue colonies, growth | ≤100 CFU |
| Klebsiella pneumoniae | 13883 | Blue colonies, growth | ≤100 CFU |
| Enterococcus faecalis | 19433 | Inhibited / no growth | ≤100 CFU |
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa | 27853 | Inhibited / no growth | ≤100 CFU |
🧪 Typical Formulation (per litre)
| Tryptose | 10.0 g |
| Proteose Peptone No. 3 | 5.0 g |
| Yeast Extract | 6.0 g |
| Sodium Chloride | 5.0 g |
| Lactose | 12.5 g |
| Bile Salts No. 3 | 1.5 g |
| Aniline Blue | 0.1 g |
| Rosolic Acid (in ethanol) | 1.0 g |
* Formulation may vary slightly between lot numbers. Refer to the current COA for exact composition.
📜 Standards & Regulatory Compliance
- ✓ APHA Standard Methods 9222D — Fecal Coliform Membrane Filter Procedure
- ✓ ISO 9308-1:2014 — Water quality, enumeration of E. coli and coliform bacteria
- ✓ ADWG 2022 — Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (NHMRC)
- ✓ NATA Accreditation — Suitable for use in NATA-accredited water labs
- ✓ EPA Method 1103.1 — E. coli in water by MF (US EPA reference)
🔄 Cross-Reference / Equivalent Products
Cross-references are provided for convenience. Catalogue numbers are trademarks of their respective owners. AuSaMicS products are manufactured and quality-tested independently.
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Need Water Testing Method Support?
Our microbiologists can assist with APHA 9222D protocol setup, water bath validation, and method optimization for NATA compliance.
For laboratory, research, and industrial use only. Not for food, feed, household, cosmetic, therapeutic, or personal use. Results should be interpreted by qualified laboratory personnel in accordance with applicable standard methods.
AuSaMicS Pty Ltd | ABN: 56 676 640 467 | 31 Longview CT, Thomastown VIC 3074, Australia
www.ausamics.com.au | support@ausamics.com.au | +61 412 520 598
Same-day dispatch • Australian stock • Full documentation included