Bile Esculin Agar Slants are supplied by Micromaster. It is available in the form of amber coloured, clear to slightly opalescent solution with a bluish tinge forms, which has a pH in the range of 6.4 to 6.8. It is advisable to store this product below 30C, for maximum efficiency.

Quantity provided: 6 slants/pack

Bile Esculin Agar Base is a differential medium recommended for isolation and presumptive identification of group D Streptococci from food and pharmaceutical products. Peptone and meat extract B serves as sources of carbon, nitrogen, amino acids, vitamins and essential growth nutrients. Bile inhibits most of the other accompyning bacteria. Esculin when added as a supplement in the medium is hydrolyzed to esculetin and dextrose. Esculetin reacts with ferric citrate to form a dark brown or black complex, visualized as a zone of black precipitate around the colonies. If the media is dispensed in tubes in the form of slants, a positive reaction is indicated by blackening of more than half of the slant within 24-48 hours. If blackening is totally absent or if less than half of the slant is blackened within 24-48 hours, the test is negative. Viridans Streptococci sometimes exhibit a weak positive reaction. Also, Leuconostoc, Pediococcus, Lactococcus species causing human infections give a positive bile esculin test. To enhance the growth of Enterococci, Bile Esculin Agar can be supplemented with 50ml/l horse serum.