MRS Broth for Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) | De Man, Rogosa & Sharpe Medium
MRS Broth (De Man, Rogosa & Sharpe)
Selective Enrichment Medium for Lactobacillus & Lactic Acid Bacteria
The gold-standard dehydrated liquid medium for cultivation, enrichment, and enumeration of LAB. Probiotics. Dairy. Fermentation. Food safety.
MRS Broth (De Man, Rogosa & Sharpe) is the internationally recognised gold-standard dehydrated selective enrichment liquid culture medium for the cultivation, enrichment, and enumeration of Lactobacillus species and lactic acid bacteria (LAB). Originally formulated by De Man, Rogosa, and Sharpe in 1960, MRS Broth provides a nutritionally rich, mildly selective environment that supports robust LAB growth under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions — making it indispensable in probiotic research, dairy microbiology, fermentation science, and food safety testing.
AuSaMicS AS-1296 is manufactured and packed in Melbourne to the same specification as Oxoid CM0359 and BD Difco 288130, with same-week dispatch and a batch-specific COA with every order.
MRS Broth achieves its selectivity through a combination of nutritional enrichment and mild chemical inhibition:
Sodium Acetate — creates a mildly acidic, acetate-buffered environment that inhibits many competing non-LAB organisms including Gram-negative bacteria and enterococci, while LAB thrive in acetate-containing media.
Ammonium Citrate — inhibits Gram-negative bacteria by chelating divalent cations required for their growth. LAB are relatively resistant.
Tween 80 (Polysorbate 80) — a non-ionic surfactant that stimulates LAB growth by providing fatty acid precursors for membrane biosynthesis. Critical for some Lactobacillus strains that cannot synthesise oleic acid independently.
pH 6.2 — slightly below neutral; optimal for most LAB and mildly restrictive for neutral-preferring competitors.
| Organism | Growth | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 4356 | ✓ Good to excellent growth | Probiotic research, dairy QC |
| Lactobacillus casei ATCC 393 | ✓ Good to excellent growth | Probiotic products, fermented beverages |
| Lactobacillus plantarum ATCC 14917 | ✓ Excellent growth | Fermented vegetables, sourdough |
| Lactobacillus rhamnosus ATCC 7469 | ✓ Good growth | Probiotic supplements |
| Lactobacillus bulgaricus | ✓ Good growth | Yoghurt starter culture QC |
| Lactobacillus helveticus | ✓ Good growth | Cheese microbiology |
| Lactococcus lactis | ✓ Good growth | Dairy starter culture research |
| Pediococcus acidilactici | ✓ Moderate to good | Meat fermentation, beer spoilage |
| Leuconostoc mesenteroides | ✓ Moderate growth | Sauerkraut, kimchi fermentation |
| Escherichia coli | ✗ Inhibited | Indicator of selectivity performance |
| Staphylococcus aureus | ✗ Inhibited | Indicator of selectivity performance |
| Parameter | MRS Broth (AS-1296) ★ | MRS Agar (AS-1295) |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Liquid — no agar | Solid — 15 g/L agar added |
| Primary Use | Enrichment, inoculum prep, fermentation studies, biomass production | Colony isolation, enumeration, morphology characterisation |
| Growth detection | Turbidity (OD measurement) or visual turbidity | Colony count per plate |
| Use together? | Yes — MRS Broth for enrichment/growth phase → MRS Agar for plating and colony analysis | |
Prepared broth: Store at 2–8°C under sterile conditions. Use within 4 weeks. Discard if turbidity, precipitation, or colour change is observed before inoculation.
Shelf life: Stated on label — typically 3–5 years from manufacture under recommended conditions.
| Brand | Product Name | Cat. No. | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oxoid (Thermo Fisher) | MRS Broth | CM0359 | Imported |
| BD Difco | Lactobacilli MRS Broth | 288130 | Imported |
| HiMedia | MRS Broth | M369 | Imported |
| Merck (Sigma-Aldrich) | MRS Broth | 1.10660 | Imported |
| AuSaMicS | MRS Broth (De Man, Rogosa & Sharpe) | AS-1296 | Melbourne stock · COA · same-week dispatch |
| Product Name | MRS Broth (De Man, Rogosa & Sharpe) |
| Catalogue Number | AS-1296 |
| Synonyms | MRS Medium; Lactobacilli MRS Broth; De Man Rogosa Sharpe Broth; LAB Enrichment Broth |
| Medium Type | Selective enrichment liquid culture medium (broth) |
| Form | Dehydrated powder |
| Original Reference | De Man JC, Rogosa M, Sharpe ME. A medium for the cultivation of Lactobacilli. J Appl Bacteriol. 1960;23(1):130–135. |
| Commercial Equivalents | Oxoid CM0359 | BD Difco 288130 | HiMedia M369 | Merck 1.10660 |
| HS / AHECC Code | 3821.00.00 — Prepared culture media for development of microorganisms |
| Manufacturer | AuSaMicS Pty Ltd, Melbourne, Australia |
| Ingredient | g/L | CAS | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peptone (Proteose Peptone) | 10.0 | 73049-73-7 | Primary nitrogen and amino acid source; supports protein biosynthesis in LAB |
| Beef Extract (Meat Extract) | 10.0 | 8038-63-9 | Provides additional nitrogen, vitamins, and carbon sources; supports growth factors |
| Yeast Extract | 5.0 | 8013-01-2 | B-complex vitamins, nucleotides, and accessory growth factors; essential for LAB |
| Glucose (D-Glucose) | 20.0 | 50-99-7 | Primary fermentable carbohydrate; catabolised via homo- or heterofermentative pathways to lactic acid |
| Tween 80 (Polysorbate 80) | 1.0 | 9005-65-6 | Non-ionic surfactant; provides fatty acid precursors for LAB membrane biosynthesis; stimulates growth of oleic acid-requiring strains |
| Dipotassium Hydrogen Phosphate (K₂HPO₄) | 2.0 | 7758-11-4 | Phosphate buffer component; maintains pH stability during lactic acid production |
| Sodium Acetate | 5.0 | 127-09-3 | Selective inhibitor of competing non-LAB flora; acetate buffer component at pH 6.2 |
| Triammonium Citrate (Ammonium Citrate) | 2.0 | 3458-72-8 | Selectively inhibits Gram-negative bacteria by chelating divalent metal ions; LAB-permissive |
| Magnesium Sulfate (MgSO₄·7H₂O) | 0.2 | 10034-99-8 | Essential cofactor for numerous LAB enzymes including ATPases and glycolytic enzymes |
| Manganese Sulfate (MnSO₄·H₂O) | 0.05 | 10034-96-5 | Essential trace element; cofactor for superoxide dismutase and other LAB-specific enzymes |
| Parameter | Specification | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance (powder) | Light yellow to beige, free-flowing powder | Visual |
| Appearance (prepared broth) | Clear to slightly opalescent, light amber solution | Visual after dissolution |
| pH (prepared, 25°C) | 6.2 ± 0.2 | Potentiometric (calibrated pH meter) |
| Moisture content | ≤ 5.0% | Loss on drying, 105°C |
| Dissolution | Complete at 55.15 g/L with gentle heating | Visual inspection |
| Storage (powder) | Tightly sealed, cool and dry, away from moisture and light | — |
| Storage (prepared broth) | 2–8°C, sterile, up to 4 weeks | — |
| Test Organism | ATCC Strain | Result (24–48h, 37°C) |
|---|---|---|
| Lactobacillus acidophilus | ATCC 4356 | Good to excellent growth — turbidity confirmed |
| Lactobacillus casei | ATCC 393 | Good to excellent growth — turbidity confirmed |
| Lactobacillus plantarum | ATCC 14917 | Excellent growth — strong turbidity |
| Escherichia coli | ATCC 25922 | Inhibited or markedly reduced growth |
| Staphylococcus aureus | ATCC 25923 | Inhibited or markedly reduced growth |
MRS Broth creates a nutritionally enriched, mildly selective environment through five synergistic mechanisms:
| # | Mechanism | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sodium acetate + pH 6.2 | Inhibits many Gram-negative and spore-forming organisms; favours acid-tolerant LAB |
| 2 | Ammonium citrate | Chelates Mg²⁺ and Mn²⁺ from Gram-negative cell envelopes; LAB are resistant |
| 3 | Tween 80 | Provides oleic acid for LAB membrane biosynthesis; stimulates growth of oleic acid-requiring strains |
| 4 | High glucose (20 g/L) | Drives rapid homo- or heterofermentative lactic acid production; further acidifies medium and suppresses competitors |
| 5 | K₂HPO₄ buffer | Maintains pH stability during fermentation; prevents overshoot inhibition of LAB by their own lactic acid |
1. De Man JC, Rogosa M, Sharpe ME. A medium for the cultivation of Lactobacilli. Journal of Applied Bacteriology. 1960;23(1):130–135. [Original paper — the defining reference for this medium]
2. Harrigan WF, McCance ME. Laboratory Methods in Food and Dairy Microbiology. Academic Press; 1976.
3. Kandler O, Weiss N. Regular, nonsporing Gram-positive rods. In: Sneath PHA, et al., eds. Bergey's Manual of Systematic Bacteriology. Vol. 2. Williams & Wilkins; 1986:1208–1234.
4. ISO 11133:2014. Culture media — Preparation, production, storage and performance testing. ISO, Geneva.
5. ISO 19344:2015. Milk and milk products — Starter cultures, probiotics and ferments — Quantification of lactic acid bacteria. ISO, Geneva.
Download TDS (PDF)| Product Name | MRS Broth (De Man, Rogosa & Sharpe) |
| Catalogue No. | AS-1296 |
| Supplier | AuSaMicS Pty Ltd | ABN 56 676 640 467 |
| Address | 31 Longview CT, Thomastown VIC 3074, Australia |
| Phone / Email | +61 412 520 598 | support@ausamics.com.au |
| Emergency | Poisons Information Centre: 13 11 26 (Australia, 24 hr) |
| Intended Use | Selective enrichment liquid culture medium for cultivation of lactic acid bacteria. For laboratory and research use only. |
| GHS Classification | NOT classified as a hazardous substance under Australian WHS Regulations 2023 / GHS 7th Edition at intended use concentrations. |
| Signal Word | None required |
| Hazard Pictograms | None applicable |
| Other Hazards | Combustible dry powder — avoid ignition sources in bulk handling. Tween 80 component: mild skin/eye irritant in concentrated form at use level in this formulation. |
| Component | CAS | g/L | GHS Classification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peptone (Proteose) | 73049-73-7 | 10.0 | Not classified |
| Beef / Meat Extract | 8038-63-9 | 10.0 | Not classified |
| Yeast Extract | 8013-01-2 | 5.0 | Not classified |
| Glucose (D-Glucose) | 50-99-7 | 20.0 | Not classified |
| Tween 80 (Polysorbate 80) | 9005-65-6 | 1.0 | Mild irritant at high concentration — not classified at use level |
| Dipotassium Hydrogen Phosphate | 7758-11-4 | 2.0 | Not classified |
| Sodium Acetate | 127-09-3 | 5.0 | Not classified at use level |
| Ammonium Citrate | 3458-72-8 | 2.0 | Not classified at use level |
| Magnesium Sulfate | 10034-99-8 | 0.2 | Not classified |
| Manganese Sulfate | 10034-96-5 | 0.05 | Not classified at use level |
| Section | Summary |
|---|---|
| 4. First Aid | Inhalation: fresh air. Skin/eye: wash with water 15 min. Ingestion: rinse mouth, water; seek advice. No specific antidote. |
| 5. Fire Fighting | Not flammable (powder combustible in bulk). CO2, dry chemical, foam, water spray. Combustion: CO2, CO, NOx. |
| 6. Accidental Release | Powder: avoid dust; sweep/vacuum; sealed container. Prepared broth: absorb with inert material; dispose per EPA. Avoid release to drains (BOD loading). |
| 7. Handling & Storage | Well-ventilated area. Avoid dust inhalation. Store cool, dry, tightly sealed. Prepared broth: 2–8°C, use within 4 weeks. Keep from oxidising agents. |
| 8. Exposure Controls / PPE | P1 dust mask (bulk powder). Nitrile gloves. Safety spectacles. Lab coat. OEL: general inhalable dust limit (10 mg/m3). LEV recommended for bulk handling. |
| 9. Physical & Chemical | Powder: light yellow-beige. Broth: amber, opalescent. pH 6.2 ± 0.2. Not flammable, not explosive, not oxidising. |
| 10. Stability & Reactivity | Stable under recommended conditions. Avoid strong oxidising agents, strong acids/bases. Glucose component may caramelise on prolonged overheating. |
| 11. Toxicological Info | Low acute toxicity at intended use concentrations. Tween 80: mild skin/mucous irritant at high concentrations. No carcinogenicity/mutagenicity evidence. |
| 12. Ecological Info | Biodegradable organic matrix. High glucose content contributes to BOD — avoid bulk discharge to natural waterways. Low acute aquatic toxicity. |
| 13. Disposal | Uninoculated: non-hazardous organic waste per local EPA. Inoculated broth: autoclave 121°C/15 min before disposal as microbiological waste. |
| 14. Transport | Not classified as dangerous goods — ADG, IATA, IMDG. No UN Number. No special transport requirements. |
| 15. Regulatory | Australian WHS Regulations 2023 / GHS 7th Edition. AICIS compliant. HS 3821.00.00. For laboratory use only — not a food ingredient. |
| 16. Other Info | SDS-AS-1296-MRS | Issue: January 2026 | Review: January 2028 | Prepared by Hassan Salimi, AuSaMicS Pty Ltd. |
Each batch of MRS Broth (AS-1296) is manufactured under quality-controlled conditions and released with a batch-specific Certificate of Analysis confirming compliance with all physicochemical and microbiological performance specifications.
| # | Test Parameter | Specification | Method | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Appearance (powder) | Light yellow to beige, free-flowing | Visual | Conforms |
| 2 | Appearance (prepared broth) | Clear to slightly opalescent, light amber | Visual | Conforms |
| 3 | pH (prepared, 25°C) | 6.2 ± 0.2 | Potentiometric | Conforms |
| 4 | Moisture Content | ≤ 5.0% | Loss on drying, 105°C | Conforms |
| 5 | Dissolution | Complete at 55.15 g/L with gentle heating | Visual inspection | Conforms |
| 6 | Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 4356 (positive control) | Good to excellent growth within 48h at 37°C | Turbidity / OD600 | Conforms |
| 7 | Lactobacillus casei ATCC 393 (positive control) | Good to excellent growth within 48h at 37°C | Turbidity / OD600 | Conforms |
| 8 | Lactobacillus plantarum ATCC 14917 (positive control) | Excellent growth within 24–48h at 37°C | Turbidity / OD600 | Conforms |
| 9 | Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 (negative control) | Inhibited or markedly reduced growth | Turbidity | Conforms |
| 10 | Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 (negative control) | Inhibited or markedly reduced growth | Turbidity | Conforms |
| Standard Pack Sizes | 100 g · 250 g · 500 g · 1 kg |
| Bulk / Custom | Available — contact support@ausamics.com.au |
✓ De Man, Rogosa & Sharpe formulation — published reference specification
✓ QC performance testing: 3 positive and 2 negative control organisms per batch
✓ ISO 11133:2014 compliant quality management
✓ COA, TDS, and SDS with every order
✓ Australian stock — same-week dispatch, no import lead times