Marine Broth 2216 (Zobell) | AS-1290 | Culture Media for Marine Bacteria
$95.00 AUD
Marine Broth 2216 (Zobell Marine Broth)
Universal Enrichment Broth for Marine Heterotrophic Bacteria | Cat. No. AS-1290
Cat. No. AS-1290 pH 7.6 ± 0.2 37.4 g/L Zobell 1941 Formula BD Difco 216000 Equivalent 🇦🇺 Made in Melbourne ⚡ Same-Week Dispatch
Overview & Scientific Background
Marine Broth 2216, originally formulated by Claude E. Zobell in 1941 at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, is the most widely referenced liquid medium in marine microbiology. It was designed to simulate the nutritional and ionic environment of seawater, enabling the cultivation of heterotrophic marine bacteria that fail to grow on conventional terrestrial media.
The medium provides a low-organic-load nutritional base (peptone + yeast extract) in a complex marine salt system. The deliberate low nutrient concentration reflects the oligotrophic nature of many marine environments and prevents the overgrowth of fast-growing terrestrial contaminants, making it well-suited for the recovery of authentic marine isolates from seawater, sediment, coral, fish tissue, and aquaculture samples.
Mode of Action
Ionic Mimicry of Seawater → Osmotic Compatibility → Nutritional Support
The comprehensive salt system (NaCl, MgCl₂, MgSO₄, CaCl₂, KCl, NaHCO₃, and trace minerals) replicates the ionic composition of natural seawater (~35 g/L salinity), providing the osmotic conditions essential for the growth of obligate and facultative marine bacteria. Peptone supplies amino acids and nitrogen; yeast extract provides B-vitamins and accessory growth factors. Ferric citrate (0.1 g/L) supplies bioavailable iron — a limiting nutrient in ocean surface waters — supporting siderophore production, pigmentation, and iron-dependent metabolic pathways in marine isolates.
The comprehensive salt system (NaCl, MgCl₂, MgSO₄, CaCl₂, KCl, NaHCO₃, and trace minerals) replicates the ionic composition of natural seawater (~35 g/L salinity), providing the osmotic conditions essential for the growth of obligate and facultative marine bacteria. Peptone supplies amino acids and nitrogen; yeast extract provides B-vitamins and accessory growth factors. Ferric citrate (0.1 g/L) supplies bioavailable iron — a limiting nutrient in ocean surface waters — supporting siderophore production, pigmentation, and iron-dependent metabolic pathways in marine isolates.
Applications
🌊
Marine Enrichment
Seawater & sediment samples
🧪
Vibrio Culture
General Vibrio cultivation
🐦
Aquaculture
Fish & shellfish microbiota
🧬
Strain Maintenance
Culture collections & subculture
📊
Biomass Generation
DNA extraction & metabolomics
🏫
Research & Education
Marine ecology studies
Target Organisms
| Organism / Group | Growth | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Vibrio spp. (non-pathogenic) | Excellent | V. harveyi, V. alginolyticus, V. splendidus and related species |
| Photobacterium spp. | Excellent | Bioluminescent marine bacteria |
| Pseudoalteromonas spp. | Excellent | Common marine heterotroph |
| Shewanella spp. | Very good | Iron-reducing marine bacteria |
| Marinomonas spp. | Very good | Marine alphaproteobacteria |
| Alteromonas spp. | Very good | Aerobic marine heterotrophs |
| Marine halophiles | Good | Requires correct salinity |
| Slow-growing oligotrophs | Moderate | Extended incubation (7–14 days) may be required |
Marine Broth 2216 vs Related Marine Media
| Medium | Type | Target | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marine Broth 2216 (AS-1290) | Non-selective enrichment broth | Marine heterotrophs (broad) | General enrichment, maintenance, biomass production |
| Marine Agar 2216 | Non-selective solid medium | Marine heterotrophs (broad) | Isolation, colony morphology, plating |
| TCBS Agar | Selective-differential solid | Pathogenic Vibrio spp. | Targeted Vibrio cholerae / V. parahaemolyticus isolation |
| Alkaline Peptone Water | Enrichment broth | Vibrio spp. | Rapid selective Vibrio enrichment (pre-TCBS) |
| R2A Broth | Low-nutrient broth | Oligotrophic aquatic bacteria | Slow-growing environmental isolates |
For pathogenic Vibrio detection, use Marine Broth 2216 followed by TCBS Agar. Marine Broth is the reference non-selective liquid counterpart of Marine Agar 2216.
Cross-Reference / Equivalent Products
| Manufacturer | Product Name | Cat. No. | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| BD Difco | Marine Broth 2216 | 216000 | Reference standard — equivalent formula |
| Oxoid (Thermo Fisher) | Marine Broth | CM0263 | Equivalent formulation |
| Sigma-Aldrich (Merck) | Marine Broth 2216 | M6435 | Equivalent formulation |
| HiMedia | Marine Broth 2216 | M1942 | Equivalent formulation |
Cross-references are for convenience only. AuSaMicS AS-1290 is manufactured in Melbourne with same-week dispatch — no import delays.
Need a complete Vibrio / marine workflow? Pair Marine Broth 2216 with Marine Agar 2216 for plating, Alkaline Peptone Water for selective Vibrio enrichment, and R2A Broth for low-nutrient aquatic recovery.
Recommended Workflow Links
| Workflow Step | Recommended AuSaMicS Product | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| General marine enrichment | Marine Broth 2216 (AS-1290) | Liquid recovery and maintenance of broad marine heterotrophs. |
| Solid isolation / colony morphology | Marine Agar 2216 (AS-1289) | Plate counterpart for colony isolation, enumeration and purification. |
| Selective Vibrio enrichment | Alkaline Peptone Water (AS-1105) | Pre-enrichment for Vibrio workflows before selective plating. |
| Low-nutrient aquatic recovery | R2A Broth (AS-1397) | Slow-growing, stressed and oligotrophic water organisms. |
| Browse full media range | Culture Media Collection | Find TCBS Agar and other complementary culture media. |
Related Products
Product Identification
| Product Name | Marine Broth 2216 (Zobell Marine Broth) |
| Catalogue Number | AS-1290 |
| Medium Type | Non-selective enrichment broth — marine |
| Solid Counterpart | Marine Agar 2216 (AS-1289) |
| Reference Formula | Zobell CE, 1941; BD Difco Marine Broth 2216 (Cat. 216000) |
| Dissolution | 37.4 g/L in natural or artificial seawater (or distilled water) |
| Final pH at 25°C | 7.6 ± 0.2 |
| Sterilisation | Autoclave 121°C for 15 minutes |
| Prepared Broth Appearance | Clear to slightly hazy, light amber |
| Dehydrated Appearance | Cream to light beige free-flowing powder |
Formula — Per Litre (Zobell 1941 / BD Difco Standard)
✓ Verified formula below. Common error in other sources: substituting MgSO₄ with Na₂SO₄. The correct seawater-mimicking formulation uses Magnesium Sulfate as the sulfate source, not Sodium Sulfate. Reference: Zobell CE 1941; BD Difco 216000.
| Component | g / L | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Peptone | 5.000 g | Nitrogen, carbon, peptides — primary nutrient source |
| Yeast Extract | 1.000 g | B-vitamins, nucleotides, accessory growth factors |
| Ferric Citrate | 0.100 g | Bioavailable iron — siderophore support, pigmentation |
| Sodium Chloride (NaCl) | 19.450 g | Primary osmotic salt — seawater salinity |
| Magnesium Chloride (MgCl₂) | 5.900 g | Mg²⁺ ion source |
| Magnesium Sulfate (MgSO₄) ✓ | 3.240 g | SO₄²⁻ source — seawater sulfate balance |
| Calcium Chloride (CaCl₂) | 1.800 g | Ca²⁺ ion source |
| Potassium Chloride (KCl) | 0.550 g | K⁺ ion source |
| Sodium Bicarbonate (NaHCO₃) | 0.160 g | Buffering — carbonate/bicarbonate equilibrium |
| Potassium Bromide (KBr) | 0.080 g | Trace halide — seawater ionic mimic |
| Strontium Chloride (SrCl₂) | 34.0 mg | Trace mineral |
| Boric Acid (H₃BO₃) | 22.0 mg | Trace mineral |
| Disodium Phosphate (Na₂HPO₄) | 8.0 mg | Phosphorus source |
| Sodium Silicate (Na₂SiO₃) | 4.0 mg | Trace mineral |
| Sodium Fluoride (NaF) | 2.4 mg | Trace halide |
| Ammonium Nitrate (NH₄NO₃) | 1.6 mg | Trace nitrogen |
| Total (approx.) | 37.4 g/L | Final pH 7.6 ± 0.2 at 25°C |
Preparation Protocol
| 1 | Suspend 37.4 g of dehydrated Marine Broth 2216 (AS-1290) in 1 litre of natural or artificial seawater (or distilled water if the dehydrated salt components are included in the formula). |
| 2 | Mix with gentle warming (45°C) until powder is completely dissolved. The prepared broth should appear clear to slightly hazy, light amber. |
| 3 | Adjust pH to 7.6 ± 0.2 if required using 1 M NaOH or 1 M HCl. |
| 4 | Dispense into tubes, flasks, or bottles as required. |
| 5 | Autoclave at 121°C for 15 minutes. Do not over-autoclave — excessive heating causes caramelisation and colour change. |
| 6 | Cool to inoculation temperature. For most marine heterotrophs, incubate at 15–25°C for 24–72 hours. For pathogenic vibrios, incubate at 35–37°C. |
⚠️ Seawater note: Natural aged seawater is preferred for optimal recovery of genuine marine isolates. Artificial seawater (e.g., Instant Ocean, ASTM D1141 formula) is a suitable alternative. If preparing synthetic seawater, ensure MgSO₄ is used as the sulfate source — not Na₂SO₄.
Incubation Parameters
| Organism Type | Temperature | Duration | Expected Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| General marine heterotrophs | 20–25°C | 24–72 h | Turbid growth |
| Psychrophilic marine bacteria | 10–15°C | 48–96 h | Turbid to slight growth |
| Pathogenic Vibrio spp. | 35–37°C | 18–24 h | Heavy turbid growth |
| Slow-growing oligotrophs | 15–20°C | 7–14 days | Slight turbidity |
Storage & Stability
| Dehydrated Powder | Store at 10–30°C in a tightly sealed container, away from moisture and light. Desiccant recommended. |
| Prepared Broth | 2–8°C, use within 3 months. Discard if turbid prior to inoculation. |
| Shelf Life | Refer to expiry date on label |
Literature & References
| # | Reference |
|---|---|
| 1 | Zobell CE. Studies on marine bacteria. I. The cultural requirements of heterotrophic aerobes. J Mar Res. 1941;4(1):42–75. [Original formulation of Marine Broth 2216] |
| 2 | BD Difco & BBL Manual. Manual of Microbiological Culture Media. 2nd ed. Becton Dickinson; 2009. Marine Broth 2216, Cat. 216000. [Reference commercial standard] |
| 3 | Austin B, Austin DA. Bacterial Fish Pathogens: Disease of Farmed and Wild Fish. 5th ed. Springer; 2012. [Marine Broth use in aquaculture pathogen isolation] |
| 4 | Kester DR, Duedall IW, Connors DN, Pytkowicz RM. Preparation of artificial seawater. Limnol Oceanogr. 1967;12(1):176–179. [Artificial seawater formulation — MgSO₄ as sulfate source confirmed] |
| 5 | Lyman J, Fleming RH. Composition of sea water. J Mar Res. 1940;3:134–146. [Seawater ionic composition basis for Marine Broth 2216 salt system] |
📄 Full SDS available: Download the complete 16-section GHS Safety Data Sheet (Australian WHS Regulations 2023 / GHS 7th Edition) — contact support@ausamics.com.au
Section 1 — Identification
| Product Name | Marine Broth 2216 (Zobell Marine Broth) |
| Catalogue No. | AS-1290 |
| Supplier | AuSaMicS Pty Ltd | ABN 56 676 640 467 |
| Address | 31 Longview CT, Thomastown VIC 3074, Australia |
| Emergency | Poisons Information Centre: 13 11 26 (24 hr, Australia) |
| Phone | +61 412 520 598 |
| support@ausamics.com.au |
Section 2 — Hazard Identification (GHS 7th Ed / WHS 2023)
| GHS Classification | Not classified as a hazardous substance or mixture under Australian WHS Regulations 2023 / GHS 7th Edition at intended use concentrations. |
| Signal Word | None required |
| Precautionary Note | Product is a microbiological growth medium — follow standard laboratory biosafety procedures. Treat cultures as potentially infectious. |
Sections 4–8 — First Aid, Fire & PPE
| Inhalation | Remove to fresh air. Seek medical attention if symptoms persist. Avoid generating dust during weighing. |
| Skin Contact | Wash with soap and water. No significant hazard expected from dry powder at normal handling quantities. |
| Eye Contact | Irrigate with large amounts of water for 15 min. Seek medical attention if irritation persists. |
| Ingestion | Rinse mouth. Not expected to be acutely toxic. Call Poisons Centre 13 11 26 if large amounts ingested. |
| Extinguishing Media | Water spray, foam, dry powder, CO₂ |
| Respiratory Protection | P1 particulate filter if dust generated during weighing |
| Eye Protection | Safety glasses recommended during preparation |
| Skin Protection | Nitrile gloves, lab coat when preparing and handling cultures |
Microbiological Safety
⚠️ Biosafety Notice: Marine Broth 2216 is a non-selective enrichment medium that supports the growth of a wide range of marine bacteria, including potential opportunistic pathogens such as Vibrio parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus. All inoculated cultures must be handled in accordance with applicable biosafety regulations (AS/NZS 2243 series). Autoclave all liquid waste prior to disposal. Use appropriate containment for environmental samples from unknown sources.
Sections 13–15 — Disposal, Transport & Regulatory
| Waste Disposal | Autoclave all inoculated media (121°C / 15 min) before disposal as general laboratory waste, per institutional biosafety procedures and local EPA regulations. |
| Transport | Not classified as dangerous goods — ADG Code, IMDG, IATA |
| Regulatory Framework | Australian WHS Regulations 2023 | GHS 7th Edition | Safe Work Australia COP 2021 |
| AICIS Status | Components listed on Australian Inventory of Industrial Chemicals (AIIC) |
| Poisons Schedule | Not scheduled under SUSMP |
Quality Control Specifications
| Parameter | Specification | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Dehydrated Appearance | Cream to light beige free-flowing powder; free of clumps and extraneous material | Visual |
| Prepared Appearance | Clear to slightly hazy, light amber broth | Visual after dissolution |
| pH (prepared, 25°C) | 7.6 ± 0.2 | pH meter (calibrated) |
| Productivity — Vibrio harveyi ATCC 33843 | Growth (turbid) within 24–48 h at 25°C | Inoculation test |
| Productivity — Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis | Growth (turbid) within 48–72 h at 20°C | Inoculation test |
| Moisture (powder) | ≤8.0% | Loss on drying |
| Batch COA | Available for every production lot | On request or download |
Manufacturing & Documentation
Manufactured by AuSaMicS Pty Ltd
31 Longview CT, Thomastown VIC 3074, Australia | ABN 56 676 640 467
✓ Batch-level quality control on every lot
✓ Formula verified against BD Difco Cat. 216000 and Zobell (1941)
✓ Full GHS-compliant documentation (COA, TDS, SDS)
✓ Australian stock — no import delays
✓ Technical support from our microbiology team
31 Longview CT, Thomastown VIC 3074, Australia | ABN 56 676 640 467
✓ Batch-level quality control on every lot
✓ Formula verified against BD Difco Cat. 216000 and Zobell (1941)
✓ Full GHS-compliant documentation (COA, TDS, SDS)
✓ Australian stock — no import delays
✓ Technical support from our microbiology team
Available Documentation
| 📄 Certificate of Analysis (COA) | Batch-specific | Available on request |
| 📋 Technical Data Sheet (TDS) | Full specifications and preparation notes |
| ⚠️ Safety Data Sheet (SDS) | GHS 7th Ed | WHS 2023 compliant | 16 sections |
⚠️ Intended Use: For microbiological laboratory, aquaculture, marine ecology, and research use only. Not for clinical diagnostic, therapeutic, food safety, or human use applications without appropriate method validation.