Vibrio · Chromogenic isolation
Chromogenic Vibrio Agar – differentiation of V. parahaemolyticus
Chromogenic Vibrio Agar is a selective chromogenic medium for the isolation and differentiation of pathogenic vibrios. V. parahaemolyticus forms mauve colonies, V. cholerae and V. vulnificus green to blue-green colonies.
- Mauve V. parahaemolyticus colonies
- Green-blue V. cholerae and V. vulnificus
- Second medium next to TCBS
How Chromogenic Vibrio Agar works
Chromogenic substrates are cleaved by species-specific enzymes and colour the colonies, while the alkaline pH and selective agents suppress accompanying bacteria. The medium is easier to read than TCBS when several Vibrio species are present.
Typical colony appearance
| Organism | Colonies |
| Vibrio parahaemolyticus | Mauve to pink colonies |
| Vibrio cholerae | Green to blue-green colonies |
| Vibrio alginolyticus | Colourless to light red |
| Escherichia coli | Inhibited |
Technical data
| Preparation | 71.3 g/L; heat to boiling until dissolved; do not autoclave; cool to about 50 °C and pour plates |
| Final pH | 9.0 ± 0.2 |
| Incubation | 35–37 °C, 24 h |
| Storage | Powder 2–30 °C, dry and dark; prepared plates 2–8 °C, up to 1 week |
| Shelf life | 2 years |
Applications and practical notes
Pathogenic Vibrio species occur in seafood, shellfish and coastal waters and are tested according to ISO 21872-1 and the FDA BAM Chapter 9. Typical applications include:
- Fish, shrimp, oysters and other seafood
- Ready-to-eat seafood products
- Coastal and aquaculture water
- Outbreak investigations
Working with Chromogenic Vibrio Agar: Heat the medium only until it boils, cool to about 50 °C and pour; store prepared plates at 2–8 °C and use them within a week.
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 the Vibrio method: ISO 21872-1 describes the detection of potentially enteropathogenic Vibrio parahaemolyticus, V. cholerae and V. vulnificus in seafood and other foods. Samples are enriched twice in Alkaline Saline Peptone Water, plated on TCBS Agar and a second selective medium, and typical colonies are purified on saline agar and confirmed biochemically or by PCR. The FDA BAM Chapter 9 follows a similar scheme. COLO.Science offers media, supplements, rapid tests, identification kits and QC strains for every step.
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.
Chromogenic Vibrio Agar is supplied by COLO.Science in the pack sizes listed under Ordering information. For larger quantities, regular deliveries or method-specific sets that include Chromogenic Vibrio Agar, please send us a request. With every delivery of Chromogenic Vibrio Agar you receive the lot number and expiry date, and on request we send the available documentation for Chromogenic Vibrio Agar.
Where Chromogenic Vibrio Agar fits in Vibrio testing
- Enrichment – Alkaline Saline Peptone Water (ASPW), 37 °C and 41.5 °C
- Isolation – TCBS Agar plus a second medium: chromogenic Vibrio agar, mCPC or CC agar
- Purification – non-selective saline agar such as T1N1 Agar
- Confirmation – oxidase, biochemical identification, PCR or LAMP
Ordering information
| Product | COLO code | Pack |
|---|---|---|
| Chromogenic Vibrio Agar | PRO7586 | 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
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Quotations and technical support for culture media and microbiology products across our international sales territory. B2B prices are net, excluding VAT.
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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.
