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MacConkey Agar with Sorbitol for E. coli O157:H7 | Ausamics
$39.00 AUD
MacConkey Agar with Sorbitol
AuSaMicS Life Science™ | www.ausamics.com.au
Product Description
Cat. No. AS-1284
For Laboratory Use Only
Catalog No.
AS-1284
Category
Selective & Differential Medium
Physical Form
Powder
Pack Sizes
100 g, 500 g, 2.5 kg
Description
MacConkey Agar with Sorbitol (AS-1284) is a selective and differential dehydrated culture medium primarily used for the isolation and identification of Enterobacteriaceae, including pathogenic Escherichia coli O157:H7. Sorbitol replaces lactose as the fermentable carbohydrate, enabling differentiation of sorbitol-fermenting from non-sorbitol-fermenting bacteria.
Non-sorbitol fermenters such as E. coli O157:H7 produce colourless, translucent colonies, while sorbitol-fermenting coliforms produce pink to red colonies due to acid production from sorbitol fermentation and the resulting colour change of the neutral red pH indicator.
Principle of Selectivity & Differentiation
Selective agentsBile salts and crystal violet inhibit growth of Gram-positive organisms, allowing only Gram-negative bacteria to grow Differential agentSorbitol fermentation detected by neutral red indicator — acid production turns colonies pink/red Target organismE. coli O157:H7 (non-sorbitol fermenter) — colourless colonies for rapid preliminary identification Final pH7.1 ± 0.2 at 25 °C
Colony Appearance Guide
| Organism | Sorbitol Fermentation | Colony Appearance |
|---|---|---|
| E. coli O157:H7 | Negative | Colourless / translucent |
| Most other E. coli | Positive | Pink to red with bile precipitate |
| Salmonella spp. | Negative | Colourless |
| Klebsiella spp. | Positive | Pink to red, mucoid |
| Gram-positive organisms | Inhibited | No growth |
Applications
| Application | Details |
|---|---|
| Clinical Microbiology | Primary isolation of E. coli O157:H7 from stool, urine, and clinical specimens |
| Food Microbiology | Detection in meat, dairy, produce, and ready-to-eat foods per ISO 16654 |
| Environmental Monitoring | Testing water, soil, and surface samples for faecal coliforms |
| Public Health / Epidemiology | Outbreak investigation for Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) |
| Research | Sorbitol fermentation studies, coliform differentiation, STEC pathogenicity |
Preparation Instructions
SuspensionSuspend 48.5 g in 1 litre of purified water. Mix thoroughly. HeatingHeat with agitation and boil for 1 minute until dissolved. Do NOT autoclave. DispensingCool to 45–50 °C. Pour ~20 mL per sterile Petri dish. Incubation35–37 °C, aerobic, 18–24 hours. Yield100 g → ~100 plates | 500 g → ~500 plates
Storage
Dehydrated powder15–30 °C, tightly sealed, dry, away from direct light Prepared plates2–8 °C, inverted in sealed bags. Use within 2 weeks. Shelf lifeSee expiry date on label (typically 3–5 years from manufacture)
⚠ Biological Hazard This medium supports growth of BSL-2 organisms including E. coli O157:H7. All work with inoculated media must follow standard BSL-2 microbiological containment practices as per AS/NZS 2243.3:2010.
⚠ For Laboratory Use Only Not for human, veterinary, or food ingredient use.
DisclaimerAuSaMicS Pty Ltd (ABN 56 676 640 467) provides this product for laboratory and research purposes only. No warranty, express or implied, is made regarding fitness for any particular purpose. The end user assumes full responsibility for compliance with all applicable regulations. AuSaMicS Pty Ltd shall not be held liable for any damages arising from use of this product.
Safety Data Sheet
MacConkey Agar with Sorbitol | Cat. AS-1284
SDS — GHS Format
SDS-AS-1284 | Rev. 1.0
March 2026
Section 1 — Identification
Product NameMacConkey Agar with Sorbitol SynonymsSorbitol MacConkey Agar; SMAC Agar Catalog No.AS-1284 Recommended UseSelective & differential microbiological culture medium. For laboratory use only. SupplierAuSaMicS Pty Ltd, 31 Longview CT, Thomastown VIC 3074, Australia Emergency Contact+61 412 520 598 | Poisons Info: 13 11 26
Section 2 — Hazard Identification
GHS Classification: Not classified as hazardous under GHS/WHS Regulations (Australia). No signal word required.
Biological Hazard (not a GHS chemical hazard): This medium is intended for culture of potentially pathogenic BSL-2 organisms. Standard BSL-2 containment practices (AS/NZS 2243.3:2010) must be observed at all times when working with inoculated media.
Signal WordNone required GHS PictogramsNone required SUSMPNot scheduled Key P-StatementsP261 Avoid breathing dust. P264 Wash hands after handling. P280 Wear PPE. P501 Dispose per regulations.
Section 3 — Composition
| Component | CAS No. | Approx. % | GHS Classification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peptic digest of animal tissue | 91079-38-8 | ~35% | Not classified |
| Agar | 9002-18-0 | ~28% | Not classified |
| Sorbitol | 50-70-4 | ~21% | Not classified |
| Sodium chloride | 7647-14-5 | ~10% | Not classified |
| Bile salts mixture | 8008-63-7 | ~3% | Not classified |
| Pancreatic digest of casein | 91079-46-8 | ~3% | Not classified |
| Neutral red | 553-24-2 | < 0.1% | Not classified at this concentration |
| Crystal violet | 548-62-9 | < 0.01% | Below classification threshold in mixture |
Section 4 — First Aid
Eye ContactFlush with water for ≥ 15 min. Remove contact lenses. Seek medical attention if irritation persists. Skin ContactRemove clothing. Wash with soap and water for ≥ 10 min. Seek advice if irritation develops. InhalationMove to fresh air. Seek medical attention if symptoms persist. IngestionRinse mouth. Do not induce vomiting. Call Poisons Info: 13 11 26.
Sections 5–8 — Fire, Spill, Handling & PPE
Flash PointNot applicable (solid) Extinguishing MediaWater, CO&sub2;, dry powder, foam Spill (dry powder)Sweep or HEPA-vacuum. Avoid dust. Collect in sealed containers. Spill (prepared medium)Treat as biohazardous. Decontaminate with 10% hypochlorite (30 min contact). HandlingUse in ventilated area. All microbiological work in Class II BSC. BSL-2 practices at all times. Storage15–30 °C, sealed, dry. Prepared plates: 2–8 °C, use within 2 weeks. Respiratory PPEP1 dust mask for weighing (AS/NZS 1716) Eye ProtectionSafety glasses or goggles (AS/NZS 1337) Hand ProtectionNitrile gloves ≥ 0.1 mm (AS/NZS 2161) Body ProtectionLaboratory coat; closed-toe footwear (AS/NZS 4501)
Section 9 — Physical & Chemical Properties
Physical StateSolid powder AppearanceHomogeneous light beige to pink powder OdourCharacteristic mild organic pH (2% aq., 25°C)7.1 ± 0.2 SolubilityDispersible in hot water; gels on cooling to ~45 °C Moisture≤ 5%
Sections 10–13 — Stability, Toxicology, Ecology & Disposal
StabilityStable when sealed at 15–30 °C. Hygroscopic — keep sealed. IncompatibilitiesStrong oxidisers; concentrated acids/alkalis; bleaching agents Acute ToxicityNot classified. LD&sub5;&sub0; > 2000 mg/kg (estimated from components) CarcinogenicityNot classified. Crystal violet at < 0.01% is below classification threshold. EcotoxicityHigh BOD if released to waterways (nutrient-rich). Biodegradable. Disposal — Used MediaAutoclave all inoculated media at 121 °C, 15 min before disposal as regulated biological waste. Disposal — UnusedDispose as chemical waste per local EPA regulations.
Sections 14–16 — Transport, Regulatory & Other
ADG / IATA / IMDGNot classified as Dangerous Goods AICS StatusAll components listed on AICS. No restrictions. SUSMPNot scheduled Biosafety StandardAS/NZS 2243.3:2010 — Safety in laboratories (microbiological aspects) SDS RevisionRev. 1.0 — March 2026
DisclaimerThis Safety Data Sheet is provided in good faith and believed accurate at time of issue. AuSaMicS Pty Ltd (ABN 56 676 640 467) accepts no liability for loss or damage arising from reliance on this document. This product is for laboratory use only. The end user is responsible for compliance with all applicable regulations.
Certificate of Analysis
MacConkey Agar with Sorbitol | Cat. AS-1284
COA — Batch Specific
COA-AS-1284-L001
March 2026
Product Information
Product NameMacConkey Agar with Sorbitol Catalog No.AS-1284 CategoryDehydrated Culture Medium Physical FormPowder GradeMicrobiological
Batch Information
Lot NumberAS1284-L001 Manufacture DateJanuary 2026 Expiry DateJanuary 2029 Pack Size500 g Storage15–30 °C, sealed, dry
Physicochemical Test Results
| No. | Test | Method | Specification | Result | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Appearance | Visual | Light beige to pink homogeneous powder | Conforms | PASS ✓ |
| 2 | pH (2% aq., 25°C) | Potentiometry | 7.1 ± 0.2 | 7.0 | PASS ✓ |
| 3 | Moisture Content | LOD (105°C, 2h) | ≤ 5.0% | 3.2% | PASS ✓ |
| 4 | Gelling | Empirical (45–50°C) | Gels within 45–60 min at 25°C | Conforms | PASS ✓ |
| 5 | Colour (prepared) | Visual | Clear red-orange agar | Conforms | PASS ✓ |
| 6 | Solubility | Dissolution (48.5 g/L) | Complete dissolution on boiling | Conforms | PASS ✓ |
Microbiological Performance Tests
| No. | Test Organism | ATCC No. | Expected Result | Observed Result | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | E. coli O157:H7 | ATCC 35150 | Good growth; colourless colonies | Colourless; good growth | PASS ✓ |
| 8 | E. coli (non-O157) | ATCC 25922 | Good growth; pink-red colonies | Pink-red; good growth | PASS ✓ |
| 9 | Salmonella Typhimurium | ATCC 14028 | Good growth; colourless colonies | Colourless; good growth | PASS ✓ |
| 10 | Staphylococcus aureus | ATCC 25923 | Inhibited / no growth | No growth | PASS ✓ |
| 11 | Enterococcus faecalis | ATCC 29212 | Inhibited / no growth | No growth | PASS ✓ |
Overall Batch Disposition
RELEASED — COMPLIES WITH ALL SPECIFICATIONS
Authorisation
Analysed By
QC Analyst | AuSaMicS Pty Ltd
Date: _______________
Approved & Released By
Quality Manager | AuSaMicS Pty Ltd
Date: _______________
DisclaimerThis Certificate of Analysis applies specifically to lot AS1284-L001 and is based on testing of a representative sample. AuSaMicS Pty Ltd (ABN 56 676 640 467) warrants this product meets stated specifications at time of release. For laboratory use only. AuSaMicS Pty Ltd shall not be held liable for damages resulting from use outside the intended application.