Thermo Scientific™ Porphyrin Test Agar

Description

Speciate Haemophilus based on the ability to convert delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) to porphyrins using Porphyrin Test Agar.

Speciate the genus Haemophilus based on their ability to convert delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) to porphyrins with Thermo Scientific™ Remel™ Porphyrin Test Agar. White and Granick found H. influenzae, H. aegyptius and H. haemoglobinophilus lack the enzyme to convert ALA to protoporphyrin which accounts for their dependence on hemin (X factor) for growth¹. In 1986, Gadberry et al. compared Porphyrin Test Agar (PTA) with conventional paper strip satellite method² and found PTA to be considerably an easier method.

Porphyrin Test Agar is a solid medium that is used for speciation of Haemophilus based on the ability to convert delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) to porphyrin. Porphyrin Test Agar contains hemoglobin as a source of hemin. Porphyrin Test Agar contains GCHI enrichment, a defined supplement which provide NAD, vitamins, amino acids, coenzymes, dextrose, and other nutrients necessary for the growth of Haemophilus spp. This medium provides an accurate means to determine X factor requirement based on the observation that X-independent Haemophilus strains excrete porphobilinogen and porphyrins, all of which are intermediates in the hemin biosynthetic pathway when supplied with ALA. After incubation there is a color change in the colonies in presence of longwave ultraviolet light.

Specifications

• Description: Porphyrin Test Agar
• Format: 12mm x 85mm Monoplate
• Product Type: Agar
• Quantity: 10/Pk.

Safety and Handling

SDS