Chromogenic Agar Burkholderia Cepacia

Burkholderia cepacia is a bacterial species of rising importance in the pharmaceutical, OTC and cosmetic industries in recent years.

Burkholderia cepacia is a Gram-negative, oxidase-positive, motile and aerobic bacillus. It is normally found in water deposits and damp environments. This bacillus is an important opportunistic pathogen and causes pulmonary infections in cystic fibrosis patients. The organism may be present in small numbers in many non-sterile products used in hospitals. It has been isolated from a number of water sources and can grow in distilled water with a nitrogen source because of its capacity to fix CO2 from air.

The medium contains peptone, which provides nitrogen, vitamins, minerals and amino acids essential for growth. Yeast extract is a source of vitamins, particularly of the B-group. Selective agents are added to improve B. cepacia recovery through the inhibition of common contaminants. Chromogenic substrate is added to detect B. cepacia by means of a color change in its colonies. Bile salts inhibit most Gram-positive cocci except for enterococci. Sodium pyruvate increases the recovery of stressed cells. Tween 80 and soya lecithin neutralize quaternary ammonium compounds and parahydroxybenzoates. Magnesium sulphate, ammonium sulphate and ferroammonium citrate provide sources of sulfates and metallic ions. Bacteriological agar is the solidifying agent.

Typical formula in g/L, adjusted and/or supplemented as required to meet performance criteria.

Preparation

Suspend 42 grams of the medium in one liter of distilled water. Mix well and dissolve by heating with frequent agitation. Boil for one minute until complete dissolution. AVOID OVERHEATING. DO NOT AUTOCLAVE. Cool to 45-50 °C, mix well and dispense into plates.

Instructions for use

1. Prepare the sample.
2. Subculture by streaking on a plate of Chromogenic Agar Burkholderia Cepacia, and incubate at 37 ± 1 °C for 48-72 h.
3. Confirm by identification tests.

• Lynn Torbeck, Diane Raccasi, Dennis E. Guilfoyle, et al. Burkholderia cepacia: This Decision Is Overdue. PDA J Pharm Sci and Tech 2011.
• Barelmann, I.; Meyer, I.M.; Taraz, K. and Budzikiewicz, D. (1996): Cepaciachelin, a new catecholate siderophore from Burkholderia (Pseudomonas) cepacia. Z Naturforsch. Vol. 51: 627-630.
• COENYE, T., P. VANDAMME, J.R.W. Govan and J.J. LiPuma. 2001. Taxonomy and identification of the Burkholderia cepacia Complex. J. Clin. Microbiol. 39:10:3427-3436.