HiMedia Nutrient Agar 100g – Dehydrated Culture Media for Lab Use

Description

Product Overview

HiMedia M001-100G Nutrient Agar is a premium dehydrated culture medium formulated to support the growth of a broad spectrum of non‑fastidious bacteria. The agar base is prepared from high‑purity peptone, beef extract, and sodium chloride, providing essential nutrients and a stable pH for optimal microbial proliferation. Packaged in a compact 100 g sachet, the product is designed for easy handling, storage, and rapid reconstitution in laboratory settings.

The formulation follows internationally recognized standards for nutrient agar, ensuring reproducibility across different batches and laboratories. Each gram of powder yields approximately 20 mL of solid medium when dissolved in distilled water and autoclaved, delivering a consistent gel strength that facilitates colony isolation and morphological observation. The product’s low moisture content extends shelf life to 24 months when stored in a cool, dry environment, reducing waste and procurement costs for busy research facilities.

Designed for versatility, HiMedia Nutrient Agar can be employed in a variety of microbiological applications, including routine bacterial culture, antibiotic susceptibility testing, and environmental monitoring. Its clear, non‑selective nature makes it an ideal baseline medium for comparing the performance of selective or differential agars, while the reliable nutrient profile supports the growth of both Gram‑positive and Gram‑negative organisms. Laboratories ranging from academic research to industrial quality control benefit from the predictable performance and ease of preparation offered by this product.

The 100 g package size balances convenience with economy, providing enough material for dozens of standard 90 mm Petri dishes while minimizing storage footprint. Each sachet is sealed in a moisture‑resistant foil pouch that protects the powder from humidity and contamination, ensuring that the medium remains sterile until the point of use. Simple reconstitution instructions—dissolve the powder in distilled water, adjust the final volume, and autoclave—allow technicians to prepare fresh plates quickly, supporting high‑throughput workflows and time‑critical experiments.

HiMedia employs a controlled fermentation process to produce the peptone and beef extract components, ensuring batch‑to‑batch uniformity and minimizing contaminants. The raw materials undergo rigorous testing for purity, endotoxin levels, and heavy metal content before being incorporated into the agar formulation. After mixing, the medium is spray‑dried under sterile conditions, resulting in a fine, free‑flowing powder that dissolves uniformly. Each production lot is then subjected to sterility verification using standard filter‑passage methods, guaranteeing that the final product meets the highest microbiological standards.

The final agar powder is packaged in a moisture‑proof foil pouch that includes a desiccant packet to further protect against humidity ingress. Packaging is designed for easy opening without the need for scissors, reducing the risk of contamination during handling. The label provides clear instructions on reconstitution, autoclave parameters, and safety precautions, complying with international labeling regulations. This attention to detail simplifies workflow for laboratory personnel, allowing them to focus on experimental design rather than media preparation logistics.

Safety considerations are integral to laboratory practice, and HiMedia Nutrient Agar is formulated to be non‑hazardous under normal handling conditions. The dehydrated powder contains no toxic additives, and the sealed packaging prevents exposure to airborne contaminants. Users should follow standard biosafety protocols, including wearing gloves and eye protection when preparing the medium, and ensure proper autoclave venting to avoid pressure buildup. In the event of accidental spillage, the powder can be swept up and disposed of according to institutional waste guidelines, minimizing health risks.

The Nutrient Agar base is compatible with a variety of supplements and indicator dyes, allowing laboratories to customize the medium for specific experimental needs. Researchers can add glucose, amino acids, or selective agents to tailor the growth environment, while maintaining the core nutrient profile that supports robust bacterial proliferation. Compatibility with common pH indicators such as phenol red enables visual monitoring of metabolic activity, expanding the utility of the agar beyond simple colony counting to functional assays.

HiMedia Nutrient Agar complies with international standards such as ISO 9001 and is manufactured in facilities adhering to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). The product meets the specifications outlined in the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) guidelines for nutrient agar, ensuring that it can be used as a reference medium in validated protocols. Documentation, including Certificate of Analysis (CoA) and batch records, is available upon request, providing traceability and confidence for regulated environments such as clinical diagnostics and pharmaceutical testing.

The product’s labeling follows the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) for chemical safety, providing clear hazard statements, precautionary measures, and first‑aid instructions. Each foil pouch includes a barcode and batch number for easy inventory tracking, and the outer carton displays the product name, net weight, and storage conditions in both English and local languages where applicable. This comprehensive labeling approach assists laboratory managers in maintaining accurate stock records, complying with safety regulations, and ensuring that end‑users have immediate access to essential handling information.

HiMedia’s Nutrient Agar is certified under the European Union’s CE marking, confirming conformity with health, safety, and environmental protection standards. The product also meets the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) specifications for microbiological media, making it suitable for use in regulated pharmaceutical environments. In addition, the agar complies with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) requirements for laboratory reagents, providing a globally recognized quality benchmark that assures customers of its suitability across diverse regulatory landscapes.

Overall, HiMedia M001-100G Nutrient Agar combines reliability, ease of use, and regulatory compliance, making it a preferred choice for laboratories seeking consistent performance in bacterial culture applications.

Usage

In clinical microbiology labs, Nutrient Agar serves as a foundational medium for cultivating clinical isolates prior to identification and susceptibility testing. Its non‑selective composition permits the growth of a wide range of pathogens, enabling technicians to observe colony morphology, hemolysis patterns, and pigment production that aid in preliminary classification. The medium’s clarity also facilitates the detection of subtle changes in colony appearance, which can be critical when evaluating novel antimicrobial agents.

Environmental testing facilities often employ Nutrient Agar to assess water and soil samples for total viable counts. By spreading serial dilutions onto the agar surface, analysts can enumerate colony‑forming units (CFU) and calculate microbial load, providing essential data for compliance with regulatory standards. The medium’s robustness under a range of incubation temperatures (typically 30–37 °C) ensures reliable recovery of environmental bacteria, making it a trusted tool for routine monitoring programs.

In research laboratories investigating bacterial genetics or metabolic pathways, Nutrient Agar offers a neutral background that does not interfere with phenotypic assays. Researchers can overlay indicator compounds or antibiotics onto the solid surface to assess growth inhibition zones, while the consistent nutrient base ensures that observed effects are attributable to the test agents rather than media variability. The medium’s compatibility with a wide temperature range also supports experiments requiring incubation at sub‑optimal temperatures to study stress responses.

Quality control labs in pharmaceutical manufacturing rely on Nutrient Agar for sterility testing of raw materials and equipment. By inoculating the agar with samples and incubating under prescribed conditions, technicians can detect contaminating microorganisms that could compromise product safety. The medium’s non‑selective nature allows for the recovery of a broad spectrum of potential contaminants, providing a comprehensive assessment of microbial load. Its reliable performance contributes to compliance with GMP and regulatory standards.

Field microbiologists collecting water samples from rivers, lakes, or wastewater treatment plants often transport the samples on ice and process them within hours. Nutrient Agar provides a reliable medium for immediate plating of these samples, allowing for rapid enumeration of heterotrophic bacteria. The ease of preparation and the ability to store the dehydrated powder on-site make it an ideal choice for mobile laboratories and on‑site testing kits, where logistical constraints demand compact and stable media.

In teaching laboratories, instructors often demonstrate basic microbiological techniques such as streak plating, pour plating, and colony counting using Nutrient Agar. The clear, non‑selective nature of the medium allows students to easily observe colony morphology and differentiate between various bacterial species based on visual characteristics. Because the agar is safe to handle and requires only standard autoclave procedures, it fits well within the safety protocols of undergraduate curricula, providing a hands‑on learning experience without the need for specialized media.

Why Choose Us

HiMedia Laboratories has a legacy of more than three decades in producing high‑quality microbiological media, backed by rigorous quality control procedures and ISO‑9001 certification. Every batch of Nutrient Agar undergoes sterility testing, pH verification, and performance validation against reference strains to guarantee consistency and reliability for end‑users. This commitment to quality translates into reproducible experimental outcomes, reducing variability and enhancing the credibility of research findings.

Customer support is a cornerstone of HiMedia’s service model. Our technical assistance team is available to guide users through media preparation, troubleshoot growth issues, and provide recommendations for optimal incubation conditions. In addition, we offer fast shipping and flexible ordering options, ensuring that laboratories receive fresh, high‑performance agar when they need it most, minimizing downtime and supporting continuous workflow.

HiMedia’s global distribution network ensures that customers receive their orders promptly, with regional warehouses strategically located to reduce shipping times. The company offers flexible payment options and bulk purchasing programs, catering to the needs of both small academic labs and large industrial facilities. By maintaining a strong presence in key markets across North America, Europe, and Asia, HiMedia provides localized support and rapid response to any product inquiries or technical issues.

To further empower users, HiMedia provides comprehensive training resources, including video tutorials, protocol sheets, and webinars covering media preparation, aseptic techniques, and troubleshooting. These educational materials are freely accessible through the company’s website and are regularly updated to reflect the latest best practices in microbiology. By investing in knowledge transfer, HiMedia helps laboratories improve their operational efficiency and achieve higher data quality, reinforcing the value of choosing a trusted media supplier.

Key Features

• Consistent nutrient composition delivering reliable bacterial growth across diverse strains, ensuring reproducible results for routine microbiology assays.
• Easy reconstitution: dissolve powder in distilled water, adjust volume, autoclave, and obtain clear, solid agar plates within minutes.
• Long shelf life of up to 24 months when stored in a cool, dry place, reducing waste and inventory costs.
• Suitable for a wide range of applications, from clinical isolate cultivation to environmental total viable count testing.
• Responsive technical support and fast shipping ensure minimal downtime and reliable access to high‑quality agar for all users.

FAQ

What is the recommended preparation method for HiMedia Nutrient Agar?

To prepare the medium, dissolve the entire 100 g sachet in 1 L of distilled water, stirring until the powder is fully dispersed. Adjust the final volume to 1 L if necessary, then sterilize by autoclaving at 121 °C for 15 minutes. After cooling to approximately 45–50 °C, pour the liquid into sterile Petri dishes (≈20 mL per 90 mm plate) and allow it to solidify. Store the prepared plates inverted at 4 °C for up to two weeks.

Can this Nutrient Agar be used for antibiotic susceptibility testing?

While Nutrient Agar is primarily a non‑selective growth medium, it can serve as a baseline for disk diffusion assays when a neutral background is required. For standardized susceptibility testing, guidelines such as CLSI recommend Mueller‑Hinton agar; however, HiMedia Nutrient Agar can be employed for preliminary screening or for organisms that do not require specialized media. Always verify that the chosen method aligns with regulatory and laboratory protocols before implementation.

What storage conditions are optimal for maintaining the quality of the dehydrated agar powder?

The dehydrated agar powder should be stored in a cool, dry environment away from direct sunlight and moisture. Keep the sealed foil pouch in a temperature‑controlled area, ideally between 15 °C and 25 °C, and avoid fluctuations that could introduce condensation. For long‑term storage, placing the pouch in a desiccant‑filled container further protects against humidity. Under these conditions, the medium retains its sterility and performance for up to two years.

Is the product suitable for educational laboratory use?

Yes, HiMedia Nutrient Agar is well‑suited for teaching laboratories because it is easy to prepare, safe to handle, and supports the growth of common laboratory strains such as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The clear agar surface allows students to observe colony morphology and practice aseptic techniques. Its reliable performance helps instructors demonstrate fundamental microbiology concepts without the variability that can arise from lower‑quality media, making it a valuable teaching resource.