Coliforms · Enumeration
TTC Tergitol-7 Agar Base – coliforms in water and food
TTC Tergitol-7 Agar Base is the base for lactose TTC agar with Tergitol-7, used for the enumeration of coliform bacteria in water and food, also by membrane filtration. It is completed with the Lactose TTC Agar Supplement.
- Base for lactose TTC Tergitol-7 agar
- Coliforms in water and food
- Membrane filtration or spread plate
How TTC Tergitol-7 Agar Base works
Tergitol-7 inhibits Gram-positive bacteria and the swarming of Proteus. Lactose-fermenting coliforms form yellow to orange colonies with a yellow halo, while TTC is reduced by non-fermenters to red colonies.
Technical data
| Use | With Lactose TTC Agar Supplement |
| Storage | Cool, dry place away from bright light; keep the container tightly closed |
| Shelf life | 3 years |
Applications and practical notes
Coliform bacteria are the classic indicators of hygiene and faecal contamination in water and food. Typical applications include:
- Drinking and surface water
- Milk and dairy products
- Ready-to-eat foods
- Hygiene monitoring
Working with TTC Tergitol-7 Agar Base: Add the supplement to the sterile base cooled to about 50 °C and confirm typical colonies with an oxidase test.
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 coliform and E. coli methods: coliforms and E. coli are counted either by the multiple-tube (MPN) method, with a presumptive broth followed by confirmation broths, or by colony counts on selective agars. FDA BAM Chapter 4 describes both approaches for food and water, and ISO 16649-2 gives the colony-count method for β-glucuronidase-positive E. coli on TBX Agar. E. coli O157 and other STEC need dedicated media, serology and PCR. 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.
TTC Tergitol-7 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 TTC Tergitol-7 Agar Base, please send us a request. With every delivery of TTC Tergitol-7 Agar Base you receive the lot number and expiry date, and on request we send the available documentation for TTC Tergitol-7 Agar Base.
Where TTC Tergitol-7 Agar Base fits in coliform and E. coli 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 |
|---|---|---|
| TTC Tergitol-7 Agar Base | PRO8177 | 250 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.




