Overview & Mode of Action
Tryptic Soy Agar with Lecithin and Polysorbate 80 (AS-1351) — also known as MCT Agar (Microbial Content Test Agar) or SCDLP80 Agar — is a non-selective, neutralising solid culture medium for surface sampling, environmental monitoring, and microbiological QC of cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products containing disinfectant residues.
The TSA nutritional base (casein + soy peptone) supports recovery of a broad spectrum of bacteria, yeasts, and moulds. Lecithin (0.7 g/L) neutralises QACs and chlorhexidine. Polysorbate 80 (5.0 g/L) neutralises phenolics, hexachlorophene, parabens, and formalin — preventing false-negative results caused by disinfectant carryover.
ⓘ Broth version available: AS-1433 — Tryptic Soy Broth with Lecithin and Polysorbate 80 (same formula, liquid form for enrichment and dilution)
Applications
🌿
Environmental Monitoring
Cleanroom & surface sampling
🧪
Cosmetics QC
ISO 21149 / ISO 18415
💊
Pharma QC
USP <61> / EP 2.6.12
🏭
Personal Care
Preserved formulations
🧦
Sanitation Validation
Post-disinfection recovery
🔬
Research
Custom neutralisation studies
Formula (Verified — Merck Microbiology Manual)
| Ingredient |
g / L |
Function |
Neutralises / Role |
| Casein Peptone (Tryptone) |
15.0 |
Primary nitrogen source |
Amino acids, peptides |
| Soy Peptone |
5.0 |
Supplementary nitrogen + vitamins |
B-vitamins, growth factors |
| Sodium Chloride (NaCl) |
5.0 |
Osmotic balance |
Physiological ionic strength |
| Lecithin (Soya) |
0.7 |
QAC neutraliser |
QACs, benzalkonium chloride, chlorhexidine |
| Polysorbate 80 (Tween® 80) |
5.0 |
Phenolic neutraliser |
Phenolics, hexachlorophene, parabens, formalin |
| Agar |
15.0 |
Solidifying agent |
Colony isolation |
| Total |
~46 g/L |
pH 7.3 ± 0.2 at 25°C |
Autoclave 121°C / 15 min |
Comparison — TSA + Lecithin + Polysorbate 80 vs Similar Media
| Medium |
Form |
Neutraliser |
Primary Use |
Standard |
| TSA with Lecithin & Polysorbate 80 (AS-1351) ★ |
Solid (agar) |
Lecithin 0.7g + Tween 80 5g |
Surface plating, env. monitoring, cosmetics QC |
ISO 21149; USP |
| TSB with Lecithin & Polysorbate 80 (AS-1433) |
Liquid (broth) |
Lecithin 0.7g + Tween 80 5g |
Enrichment, dilution, liquid culture |
ISO 21149; USP |
| Letheen Agar (AS-1387) |
Solid (agar) |
Lecithin 0.7g + Tween 80 5g |
Disinfectant efficacy testing, surface recovery |
AOAC; FDA BAM |
| Tryptic Soy Agar (AS-1372) |
Solid (agar) |
None |
General cultivation (no neutralisation) |
ISO 11133; USP |
| D/E Neutralising Agar |
Solid (agar) |
Multi-neutraliser system |
Broad disinfectant range |
AOAC; ASTM |
FAQs
❓ What is the difference between AS-1351 (Agar) and AS-1433 (Broth)?
Both have identical formulations (Casein 15g, Soy 5g, NaCl 5g, Lecithin 0.7g, Polysorbate 80 5g). AS-1351 contains 15 g/L agar and is used for plating and colony counting. AS-1433 is the liquid broth used for enrichment, sample dilution, and liquid-phase recovery. Use both together: enrich in AS-1433, then plate on AS-1351.
❓ Is this the same as Oxoid CM0737 or Merck 1.05463?
Yes — AS-1351 is formulated to the same reference standard. The Merck reference formula (Casein 15g, Soy 5g, NaCl 5g, Lecithin 0.7g, Polysorbate 80 5g, Agar 15g, pH 7.3) is the basis for AS-1351. Full COA included with every batch.
❓ What disinfectants does this medium neutralise?
Lecithin (0.7 g/L) neutralises quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs), benzalkonium chloride, cetylpyridinium, and chlorhexidine. Polysorbate 80 (5 g/L) neutralises phenolics, hexachlorophene, parabens, and formalin. Together they cover the most common disinfectant classes used in cosmetics and pharmaceutical manufacturing environments.
❓ Can I use this for ISO 21149 cosmetics microbiology?
Yes. AS-1351 is the plating medium referenced in ISO 21149:2017 for enumeration of aerobic mesophilic bacteria in cosmetics. After enrichment in a neutralising broth (AS-1433 or Letheen Broth, AS-1271), plate onto AS-1351 and incubate at 30–35°C for 48–72h.
Cross-Reference / Equivalents
| Manufacturer |
Product Name |
Cat. No. |
| Merck Millipore |
Caso Agar with Lecithin and Polysorbate 80 |
1.05463 |
| Oxoid (Thermo Fisher) |
Tryptone Soya Agar with Lecithin and Polysorbate 80 |
CM0737 |
| BD Difco |
Tryptic Soy Agar with Lecithin and Polysorbate 80 |
254920 |
| HiMedia |
HiCrome MCT Agar Base |
M1243 |
AuSaMicS AS-1351 — manufactured in Melbourne, same-week dispatch, no import delays, full documentation included.
Related Products
📄
Full SDS available: 16-section GHS SDS (Australian WHS Regulations 2023 / GHS 7th Edition) —
support@ausamics.com.au
Hazard Identification (GHS 7th Ed / WHS 2023)
| GHS Classification |
NOT classified as hazardous under Australian WHS Regulations 2023. No hazard statements required. |
| Other Hazards |
Combustible powder (dust); thermal burn risk from molten agar (45–50°C); Polysorbate 80 hygroscopic. |
| Signal Word |
None required |
| Emergency |
Poisons Information Centre: 13 11 26 (24 hr, Australia) |
PPE & First Aid Summary
| Respiratory |
P1 particulate filter when weighing bulk powder |
| Eye Protection |
Safety glasses; splash goggles when handling molten agar |
| Skin |
Nitrile gloves; heat-resistant gloves for molten agar; lab coat |
| Skin Contact |
Wash with soap and water. If molten agar burn: cool immediately with running water ≥10 min; seek medical attention. |
| Eye Contact |
Irrigate with water ≥15 min. Seek medical attention if irritation persists. |
| Disposal |
Autoclave inoculated plates (121°C / 15 min) before disposal as biological waste. Unused powder: general chemical waste. |
| Transport |
Not dangerous goods — ADG, IMDG, IATA |
Composition (for reference)
| Component |
g/L |
CAS |
Hazard |
| Casein Peptone |
15.0 |
91079-38-8 |
Not hazardous |
| Soy Peptone |
5.0 |
68153-28-6 |
Not hazardous |
| Sodium Chloride |
5.0 |
7647-14-5 |
Not hazardous |
| Lecithin (Soya) |
0.7 |
8002-43-5 |
Not hazardous |
| Polysorbate 80 |
5.0 |
9005-65-6 |
Not hazardous at use level |
| Agar |
15.0 |
9002-18-0 |
Not hazardous |
Quality Specifications
| Parameter |
Specification |
Method |
| Appearance (powder) |
Cream to light beige, free-flowing, homogeneous |
Visual |
| Appearance (prepared) |
Light amber, firm gel; slight opalescence normal |
Visual |
| pH (prepared, 25°C) |
7.3 ± 0.2 |
pH meter |
| Gel Strength |
Firm, uniform; no syneresis |
Visual / Gelometer |
| Moisture (powder) |
≤5.0% (w/w) |
Loss on drying |
| Neutralisation — QAC |
Growth in 0.1% benzalkonium chloride challenge |
Plate assay |
| Neutralisation — Phenolic |
Growth in 0.5% phenol challenge |
Plate assay |
| Growth promotion |
Good growth of all 5 QC organisms (ISO 11133:2014) |
Inoculation test |
| Batch COA |
Available for every production lot |
On request |
Documentation Available
| 📄 Certificate of Analysis (COA) |
Batch-specific | Included with every order |
| 📋 Technical Data Sheet (TDS) |
Full specifications, formula, preparation protocol |
| ⚠️ Safety Data Sheet (SDS) |
GHS 7th Ed | Australian WHS 2023 | 16 sections |
⚠️ For laboratory and industrial QC use only. Not for food, cosmetic, therapeutic, or household use.