Pseudomonas · Selective isolation
Pseudomonas Agar Base – base for CN and CFC agar
Pseudomonas Agar Base is the base medium for the selective isolation of Pseudomonas. With the CN supplement it gives CN agar for Pseudomonas aeruginosa in water according to ISO 16266; with the CFC supplement it gives CFC agar for Pseudomonas spp. in meat according to ISO 13720.
- One base for CN and CFC agar
- Enhances pyocyanin and fluorescein
- Glycerol added at preparation
How Pseudomonas Agar Base works
The base supports growth and the production of the blue-green pigment pyocyanin and the fluorescent pigment fluorescein, which are typical of P. aeruginosa. Selectivity comes from the supplement: cetrimide and nalidixic acid (CN) or cetrimide, fucidin and a cephalosporin (CFC).
Typical colony appearance
| Organism | Colonies |
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa | Yellow-green to blue-green pigment, fluorescent under UV |
| Escherichia coli | Inhibited (with CN supplement) |
Technical data
| Preparation | 52.6 g/L with 10 mL glycerol; boil to dissolve, autoclave 121 °C 15 min; cool to about 50 °C and add the supplement |
| Final pH | 7.1 ± 0.2 |
| Incubation | 35–37 °C, 40–48 h (CN agar) |
| Storage | Dry, dark place; keep the container tightly closed |
| Shelf life | 3 years |
Applications and practical notes
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen of drinking, bottled and pool water, and Pseudomonas spp. are the main spoilage bacteria of chilled meat and fish. Typical applications according to ISO 16266 and ISO 13720 include:
- Drinking water, bottled and mineral water
- Swimming pool and spa water
- Meat, poultry and fish (spoilage flora)
- Pharmaceutical and cosmetic raw materials
Working with Pseudomonas Agar Base: Add the glycerol before autoclaving and the supplement only after the base has cooled to about 50 °C, and check plates for fluorescence under UV light at 360 nm.
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 Pseudomonas methods: ISO 16266 describes the detection and enumeration of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in water by membrane filtration on CN agar, where blue-green colonies that produce pyocyanin are counted as confirmed and other typical colonies are confirmed with further tests. ISO 13720 gives the count of presumptive Pseudomonas spp. in meat and meat products on CFC agar at 25 °C. Pharmacopoeial tests for P. aeruginosa use Cetrimide Agar. COLO.Science offers media, supplements, rapid tests and QC strains for these methods.
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.
Pseudomonas 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 Pseudomonas Agar Base, please send us a request. With every delivery of Pseudomonas Agar Base you receive the lot number and expiry date, and on request we send the available documentation for Pseudomonas Agar Base.
Where Pseudomonas Agar Base fits in Pseudomonas testing
- Water – P. aeruginosa – membrane filtration on CN agar (Pseudomonas Agar Base with CN supplement), 36 °C, 44 h
- Food – Pseudomonas spp. – CFC agar (Pseudomonas Agar Base with CFC supplement), 25 °C, 44 h
- Isolation and screening – Pseudomonas Chromogenic Medium and Cetrimide Agar
- Confirmation and QC – qPCR or LAMP and P. aeruginosa reference strains
See all Pseudomonas products in the Microbiology Catalogue →
Ordering information
| Product | COLO code | Pack |
|---|---|---|
| Pseudomonas Agar Base | PRO7538 | 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.
