B.C.P. Agar 1051 Condalab

BCP Agar is a non-inhibitory medium used for the detection and isolation of coliforms and in differential studies based on lactose fermentation. BCP stands for bromocresol purple. Peptone mixture and beef extract provide nitrogen, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids essential for growth. Lactose is the fermentable carbohydrate providing carbon and energy. Bromocresol purple is a pH indicator and bacteriological agar is the solidifying agent.

All coliforms ferment lactose with acid and gas production. This group includes the genera Escherichia, Enterobacter, Citrobacter, and Klebsiella. When lactose is fermented it produces acid that changes the colour of the medium from blue purple (alkaline) to yellow (acid). Blue colonies are lactose-negative and yellow colonies are lactose-positive.