Pfizer Selective Enterococcus Agar (AS-1312)

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AuSaMicS Life Science • Selective Enterococcus Media

Pfizer Selective Enterococcus Agar

Historical High-Selectivity Enterococcus Isolation Medium

Classic highly selective agar developed for isolation of faecal enterococci from clinical, food, and water samples. The combination of sodium azide, thallous acetate, crystal violet, and esculin-ferric citrate creates a strongly selective system in which enterococci produce characteristic black halos by esculin hydrolysis.

AS-1312 🧪 Highly Selective Medium ✓ Historical Reference ⚠ Toxic Components
Target: Enterococcus spp. Readout: Black halo from esculin hydrolysis Status: Historical / reference use

Reference Media Specialist

Extreme Selectivity - Azide + thallous acetate
Clear Identification - Esculin black halo reaction
Historic Methodology - Classical enterococci isolation
Reference Use - Legacy methods and comparison studies
Technical Handling - Controlled laboratory use only
Legacy High-Selectivity Formula
Largely replaced by safer modern media

🧪 Complete Formulation & Selectivity Profile

📋 Original Pfizer-Type Composition (per Liter)

Ingredient Concentration Primary Function Contribution
Tryptose / Peptone 20.0 g Nitrogen source Supports enterococcal growth
Yeast Extract 5.0 g Growth factors Vitamins and accessory nutrients
Glucose 2.0 g Energy source Readily metabolizable carbohydrate
Disodium Hydrogen Phosphate 4.0 g Buffering agent Helps maintain pH stability
Aesculin 1.0 g Differential substrate Detects esculin hydrolysis
Ferric Citrate 0.5 g Indicator component Forms black complex with esculetin
Sodium Azide 0.25–0.4 g Selective inhibitor Strong inhibition of Gram-negative flora
Thallous Acetate 0.2–0.33 g Selective inhibitor Further suppresses non-target organisms
Crystal Violet 0.001 g Selective dye Additional inhibition of competing flora
Agar 15.0 g Solidifying agent Plate format support
Final pH: 7.2 ± 0.2 at 25°C

⚗️ Functional Design

Extreme Selectivity
Azide and thallous acetate heavily suppress competing organisms
Differential Readout
Esculin hydrolysis produces distinctive black halo reactions
Historical Specificity
Legacy medium for classical enterococcus isolation workflows
Important: This medium contains highly toxic selective agents and is generally retained for historical, legacy, or reference purposes rather than routine modern laboratory use.

Complete Enterococcus Isolation Media Portfolio

Medium Type Selectivity Differential Feature Best Application Key Advantage
Pfizer Selective Enterococcus Agar Historical selective agar Very High Esculin black halo Historical / reference isolation Extreme specificity for enterococci
Slanetz-Bartley Agar Selective enumeration agar High Red to maroon colonies Water and food monitoring Safer modern standard
Kanamycin Aesculin Azide Agar Selective differential agar High Esculin hydrolysis Clinical and food microbiology Reduced reliance on highly toxic inhibitors
Bile Esculin Azide Agar Selective differential medium Moderate to High Blackening from esculin Routine enterococcal differentiation Common classical alternative
m-Enterococcus / Slanetz-Type Media Enumeration medium High Characteristic colony colour Membrane filtration workflows Better suitability for routine monitoring

Strategic Medium Selection for Enterococcus Isolation

✅ Pfizer Medium Advantages

  • Exceptional Selectivity: Strong inhibition of non-target flora
  • Clear Differential Reaction: Black halo around enterococci
  • Historical Significance: Benchmark predecessor of later enterococcus media
  • Reference Utility: Useful in legacy comparison work

⚠️ Method Considerations

  • Contains Thallium Salts: Highly toxic, tightly controlled handling required
  • Contains Sodium Azide: Toxic and hazardous waste considerations apply
  • Shorter Plate Stability: Prepared plates should be used promptly
  • Obsolete for Routine Use: Safer modern media are generally preferred

🎯 Best-Fit Applications

  • Historical Method Comparison: Legacy method reconstruction
  • Reference Laboratories: Classical enterococcus isolation studies
  • Teaching Collections: Demonstration of legacy selective media
  • Archive Protocol Support: Older regulatory or manual comparisons

📊 Colony Interpretation Guide

Observation Interpretation Typical Meaning Notes
Grey-white colony with jet-black halo Presumptive enterococcus Esculin hydrolysis positive Typical for E. faecalis / E. faecium
No growth Inhibited flora Non-target organism suppression Expected due to strong selectivity
Sparse atypical growth Needs confirmation Possible resistant or atypical organism Confirm with additional tests

🔬 Quality Control & Performance Guidance

Typical Target:
Enterococcus faecalis
Enterococcus faecium
Incubation:
35–37°C
24–48 hours
Expected Reaction:
Grey-white colonies
Jet-black halo formation
Handling Note:
Selective supplements added after sterilization
Use controlled hazardous-lab procedures
Positioning: Historical and reference-use enterococcus isolation medium, largely replaced in routine laboratories by safer alternatives such as Slanetz-Bartley, KAA, and Bile Esculin Azide media.

📋 Technical Specifications

Catalogue Number AS-1312
Medium Type Highly selective differential agar
Target Organism Enterococcus spp.
Final pH 7.2 ± 0.2 (at 25°C)
Readout Black halo from esculin hydrolysis
Sterilization Base autoclaved; selective toxic supplements added after cooling
Prepared Plate Storage 2–8°C, protected from light
Recommended Use Time Within 1 week
Status Historical / reference use only

🧫 Primary Applications

  • ✓ Isolation of enterococci from urine, wounds, faeces, food, and water
  • ✓ Historical food and dairy testing workflows
  • ✓ Reference laboratory comparisons against legacy methods
  • ✓ Archive or retrospective protocol reconstruction

⚗️ Preparation Protocol

  1. 1. Suspend all base components except sodium azide and thallous acetate in approximately 900 mL purified water.
  2. 2. Heat and boil until fully dissolved.
  3. 3. Adjust pH, make up to 1 L, and autoclave the base.
  4. 4. Cool to about 50°C and add filter-sterilized sodium azide and thallous acetate solutions.
  5. 5. Mix carefully and pour plates under controlled hazardous-material handling conditions.

📦 Storage & Safety

Incubation: 35–37°C for 24–48 hours.

Plate storage: Store prepared plates at 2–8°C, protected from light, and use promptly.

Colony appearance: Typical enterococci appear grey-white with a jet-black halo.

Safety note: Contains thallium salts and sodium azide. Highly toxic and environmentally hazardous.

Laboratory notice: For historical and reference use only. Disposal must follow strict hazardous waste regulations.

AuSaMicS Life Science: Professional microbiology media for research, quality control, industrial, food, pharmaceutical, environmental, and reference laboratories. Product information is provided for laboratory and technical evaluation purposes only.

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