Campylobacter · Selective isolation
Skirrow Agar Base – selective blood agar for thermotolerant Campylobacter
Skirrow Agar is a selective blood agar for the isolation of thermotolerant Campylobacter such as C. jejuni and C. coli. It is prepared from the base with the Skirrow Agar Supplement and defibrinated sheep blood and is a common second isolation medium next to mCCD agar.
- Base for Skirrow selective blood agar
- With supplement and 5 % sheep blood
- Microaerobic incubation at 42 °C
How Skirrow Agar Base works
The nutrient base with blood supports Campylobacter, while the antibiotics of the supplement suppress the accompanying flora. Incubation at 42 °C in a microaerobic atmosphere further favours thermotolerant species.
Typical colony appearance
| Organism | Colonies |
| Campylobacter jejuni | Flat, grey, moist and glossy colonies spreading along the streak |
| Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli | Inhibited |
Technical data
| Preparation | 42.5 g/L; boil to dissolve, autoclave 121 °C 15 min; at about 45 °C add 1 vial of supplement and 5 mL defibrinated sheep blood per 100 mL |
| Final pH | 7.4 ± 0.2 |
| Incubation | 42 ± 1 °C, microaerobic, 24–48 h |
| Storage | Dry, dark place; keep the container tightly closed |
| Shelf life | 3 years |
Applications and practical notes
Campylobacter is the most frequently reported cause of bacterial gastroenteritis in Europe and is tested in poultry, meat, milk and water according to ISO 10272-1. Typical applications include:
- Poultry meat and carcass rinses
- Raw milk and dairy products
- Drinking and surface water
- Environmental and faecal samples
Working with Skirrow Agar Base: Add one vial of supplement dissolved in 1 mL sterile water and 5 mL of defibrinated sheep blood per 100 mL of base cooled to about 45 °C.
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 Campylobacter method: ISO 10272-1 describes the detection of thermotolerant Campylobacter in food and feed. Samples with low numbers and stressed cells are enriched in Bolton broth, samples with high background flora in Preston broth. Enrichment cultures are plated on mCCD agar and a second selective agar of the laboratory’s choice and incubated microaerobically at 41.5 °C. Typical colonies are confirmed by morphology, motility, oxidase and further tests. COLO.Science offers supplements, media and latex kits for these steps.
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.
Skirrow Agar Base is supplied by COLO.Science in the pack sizes listed under Ordering information. For larger quantities, regular deliveries or method-specific sets that include Skirrow Agar Base, please send us a request. With every delivery of Skirrow Agar Base you receive the lot number and expiry date, and on request we send the available documentation for Skirrow Agar Base.
Where Skirrow Agar Base fits in Campylobacter testing
- Enrichment – Bolton broth or Preston broth with selective supplement, microaerobic
- Selective isolation – mCCD agar plus a second medium such as Skirrow or Karmali agar, 41.5 °C
- Confirmation – morphology, oxidase and latex agglutination
- Media QC – Campylobacter reference strains
See all Campylobacter products in the Microbiology Catalogue →
Ordering information
| Product | COLO code | Pack |
|---|---|---|
| Skirrow Agar Base | PRO7453 | 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.
