STEC · Chromogenic isolation
Chromogenic STEC Agar – O157 and non-O157 STEC on one plate
Chromogenic STEC Agar is a selective chromogenic medium for Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), including O157 and the main non-O157 serogroups. Suspect colonies are confirmed by serology and PCR.
- O157 and non-O157 STEC
- Pale purple colonies, UV helps to separate
- Complete with STEC supplement
How Chromogenic STEC Agar works
Chromogenic substrates and selective agents allow STEC to grow as pale purple colonies, while most other Enterobacteriaceae form blue colonies. Under UV light, O157:H7 does not fluoresce, while non-O157 STEC do.
Typical colony appearance
| Organism | Colonies |
| E. coli O157:H7 | Pale purple, no fluorescence |
| Non-O157 STEC | Pale purple, fluorescent |
| Other Enterobacteriaceae | Mostly blue |
Technical data
| Preparation | 30.8 g/L; boil with stirring until dissolved; cool to 50°C; add 1 vial of the supplement per 100 mL base; no autoclaving stated |
| Final pH | 6.9±0.2 |
| Incubation | 36±1°C for 18-24 h |
| Storage | Dry powder 2-30°C, dark, dry; supplement 2-8°C |
| Shelf life | Dry powder 2 years unopened; supplement 2 years |
Applications and practical notes
E. coli O157 and other Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) are tested in meat, raw milk products, sprouts and vegetables, for example according to ISO 16654 and FDA BAM Chapter 4. Typical applications include:
- Raw and minced meat, especially beef
- Raw milk and raw-milk cheese
- Sprouts, leafy greens and other fresh produce
- Outbreak investigations and environmental samples
Working with Chromogenic STEC Agar: Confirm suspect colonies with PCR for stx genes and serology; colony colour alone is not proof of STEC.
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 Salmonella culture method: the reference method for Salmonella in the food chain, ISO 6579-1, has four steps: non-selective pre-enrichment, selective enrichment in two broths, plating on two selective agars and confirmation of typical colonies. The FDA BAM Chapter 5 follows the same principle with media adapted to different food types. Rapid tests and identification kits shorten the time to result, but positive screening results are usually confirmed by the culture method. COLO.Science offers products for every step, so that one supplier covers the whole procedure.
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 STEC 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 STEC Agar, please send us a request. With every delivery of Chromogenic STEC Agar you receive the lot number and expiry date, and on request we send the available documentation for Chromogenic STEC Agar.
Where Chromogenic STEC Agar fits in STEC testing
- Presumptive test – Lauryl Sulfate Tryptose Broth (MPN) or VRBL / chromogenic agar (colony count)
- Confirmation – BGLB Broth for coliforms; EC or EC-MUG Broth at 44.5 °C for E. coli
- Isolation – EMB, MacConkey, TBX or chromogenic E. coli agar
- Identification – IMViC kit; for O157 and STEC: SMAC or chromogenic O157 agar, latex and PCR
Ordering information
| Product | COLO code | Pack |
|---|---|---|
| Chromogenic STEC Agar | PRO7596 | 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
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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.
