Thermo Scientific™ KBE (Kanamycin Bile Esculin) Agar

Selectively isolate and presumptively identify Bacteroides fragilis group using KBE Agar (Kanamycin Bile Esculin Agar).

Supplier:  Thermo Scientific™ R01511

Catalog No. R01511

Description

Selectively isolate and presumptively identify Bacteroides fragilis group using Thermo Scientific™ Remel™ KBE Agar (Kanamycin Bile Esculin Agar). Chan and Porschen formulated KBE Agar to selectively isolate and presumptively identify the B. fragilis group based on resistance to bile and kanamycin and hydrolysis of esculin^1,2. Clinical specimens for anaerobic culture frequently contain mixed flora, including facultative gram-negative rods that readily overgrow the anaerobes, so selective media are recommended for isolation of anaerobes³.

Members of the Bacteroides fragilis group are the anaerobic bacteria most frequently isolated in human clinical infections⁴. This group includes B. fragilis, B. thetaiotaomicron, B. ovatus, B. distasonis, B. vulgatus, and others. These members of the B. fragilis group hydrolyze esculin to produce esculetin.

Selectively isolate and presumptively identify members of the B. fragilis group using KBE Agar.

• Ready to use – Convenience of prepared media
• Easy to interpret - Brown-black complex in the agar surrounding the colony
• Selective media - Addition of kanamycin and bile makes this medium selective
  • Kanamycin (1000μg/ml) inhibits facultative anaerobes and anaerobic gram-negative bacteria other than B. fragilis group
  • Bile (20%) stimulates B. fragilis but inhibits other anaerobic bacteria

Ferric ammonium citrate present in the medium reacts with esculetin to produce a brown-black complex in the agar surrounding the colony. Addition of kanamycin and bile to this medium makes it selective. Vitamin K and hemin are growth factors. Hemin also allows testing for catalase production⁵.

Specifications

• Description: KBE Agar
• Format: 10mm x 100mm Spacesaver Plate
• Product Type: Agar
• Quantity: 15/Pk.