Reinforced Clostridial Medium 1007 Condalab

Reinforced Clostridial Medium is a semi-solid medium that is recommended for the cultivation and enumeration of anaerobes, particularly Clostridium and other microorganisms in goods and clinical specimens. Hirsch and Grinstead formulated it in 1954 and their work demonstrated that the medium outperformed other media when supporting the growth of Clostridium from small inoculum and produced higher viable cell counts. Peptone and beef extract provide nitrogen, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that are essential for growth. Yeast extract is the source of vitamins, particularly of the B-group and dextrose is the fermentable carbohydrate providing carbon and energy.

Sodium chloride supplies essential electrolytes for transport and osmotic balance. Starch in the medium acts as a growth factor, probably functioning like a colloid protector, and neutralizes toxic products that form during the development of the organisms. L Cysteine hydrochloride is the reducing agent and sodium acetate is the buffer. Since the medium is a non-selective enrichment one, it allows the growth of various anaerobic microorganisms and facultative bacteria when incubated under anaerobic conditions. The European Pharmacopoeia, USP, recommends the Reinforced Clostridial Medium for “Microbiological examination of non-Sterile products: test for specified microorganisms” for the testing of Clostridia in products.