Molecular biology · Broth
Terrific Broth – high-yield broth for plasmid production
Terrific Broth (TB) is a rich, buffered medium that gives higher cell densities and plasmid yields of recombinant E. coli than LB broth. It is widely used for plasmid preparation and protein expression.
- Higher cell density than LB
- Phosphate buffered
- Glycerol as additional carbon source
How Terrific Broth works
High concentrations of tryptone and yeast extract provide nutrients, glycerol is an extra carbon source and the phosphate buffer prevents a pH drop. Cultures therefore keep growing for longer.
Technical data
| Preparation | 47.6 g/L plus 4 mL glycerol; dissolve with heating, dispense, autoclave 121 °C 15 min |
| Incubation | 36 ± 1 °C, 18–24 h |
| Storage | Dry, dark place; keep the container tightly closed |
| Shelf life | 3 years unopened |
Applications and practical notes
Molecular biology and research laboratories use defined, rich media to grow recombinant E. coli, to produce plasmids and proteins, and to cultivate special organisms such as cyanobacteria. Typical applications include:
- Growth of recombinant E. coli strains
- Plasmid and protein production
- Culture of cyanobacteria and algae
- Research and teaching laboratories
Working with Terrific Broth: Add 4 mL glycerol per litre before autoclaving, as stated in the preparation.
Good practice with dehydrated media: keep the bottle tightly closed in a cool, dry place, weigh the powder quickly to avoid moisture uptake, and use fresh distilled or deionised water. Check the pH of each new batch after preparation and before use, and label prepared media with the date. Performance of each lot can be verified with reference strains according to ISO 11133, the standard for the preparation, production, storage and performance testing of culture media.
About general-purpose media: general-purpose media are not tied to one reference method. They are used in every laboratory for cultivation, revival of reference strains, purity checks and as bases for enriched and test media. Their performance is verified with reference strains according to ISO 11133, and media for susceptibility testing follow the requirements of EUCAST and CLSI. COLO.Science offers general media, enriched bases, supplements and QC strains from one source.
Complete sets from one supplier: COLO.Science supplies culture media, supplements, rapid tests, identification kits and QC strains as complete sets for the method you follow. Send us your sample types and standards, and we will prepare an offer with the matching products and documentation.
Terrific Broth is supplied by COLO.Science in the pack sizes listed under Ordering information. For larger quantities, regular deliveries or method-specific sets that include Terrific Broth, please send us a request. With every delivery of Terrific Broth you receive the lot number and expiry date, and on request we send the available documentation for Terrific Broth.
Where Terrific Broth fits in general microbiology
- Sample preparation – Peptone Water, Phosphate Buffer and other diluents
- Cultivation and revival – Nutrient, BHI and Columbia media
- Fastidious organisms – blood, chocolate and GC media with supplements
- Testing and identification – Mueller Hinton for susceptibility, CLED and chromogenic agar for urine, biochemical tests
See all general-purpose media in the Microbiology Catalogue →
Ordering information
| Product | COLO code | Pack |
|---|---|---|
| Terrific Broth | PRO7516 | 500 g |
Product notice: preparation, storage conditions and shelf life are given on the label. Technical data on this page are for orientation; the label and the lot documentation apply. B2B prices are quoted net, excluding VAT.
Sales and technical support
COLO LabExperts
Polje ob Sotli 4, SI-3255, Slovenia
Quotations and technical support for culture media and microbiology products across our international sales territory. B2B prices are net, excluding VAT.
COLO.SCIENCE | MICROBIOLOGY SUPPORT
Need the complete set for your method?
Send the sample type, target organism and the standard you follow. COLO.Science will put together the media, supplements, QC strains and confirmation tests for the whole procedure.
