Description
Specifications Table
| Product Name | BCYE Agar Plate w/ GVPC | MP813IA-20PT | Himedia |
|---|---|
| Quantity/Pack Size | 20 plates |
| Form | Prepared agar plates |
| Grade | Laboratory grade |
| Application | Isolation and cultivation of Legionella species |
Product Description
BCYE Agar Plate with GVPC | MP813IA-20PT | Himedia is a ready-to-use selective microbiological culture medium designed for the isolation and cultivation of Legionella species, particularly Legionella pneumophila, from clinical, environmental, and water samples. Buffered Charcoal Yeast Extract (BCYE) Agar is a nutritionally enriched medium formulated to support the growth of these fastidious bacteria, while the addition of GVPC provides selective properties that help suppress competing microorganisms.
The BCYE base contains essential nutrients, including yeast extract, L-cysteine, and ferric ions, which support the growth and recovery of Legionella. Activated charcoal in the medium can help neutralize inhibitory substances produced during microbial metabolism, contributing to a suitable environment for the recovery of the target organism. These nutritional and supportive components make BCYE Agar an important medium in Legionella culture workflows.
The GVPC supplement provides selective activity through a combination of antimicrobial agents. Glycine, vancomycin, polymyxin B, and cycloheximide are used to help inhibit a range of competing Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, and fungi that may be present in environmental or clinical specimens. This selective action can improve the visibility and recovery of suspected Legionella colonies from samples containing mixed microbial populations.
The MP813IA-20PT format is supplied as a prepared, ready-to-use agar plate, eliminating the need for laboratories to prepare the basal medium, sterilize it, add selective supplements, and pour individual plates. This can help reduce preparation time, simplify routine workflows, and support consistency between microbiological culture procedures.
BCYE Agar with GVPC is particularly useful for environmental monitoring, water microbiology, public health laboratories, clinical microbiology, research, and specialized microbiological testing. It may be used for the examination of water systems and other samples where the isolation of Legionella is required according to an applicable standard or validated laboratory method.
Because Legionella species are fastidious and may grow slowly, appropriate specimen collection, transportation, sample preparation, inoculation, and incubation conditions are important for reliable recovery. Plates should be handled and incubated according to the manufacturer’s instructions and the laboratory’s validated procedure.
Suspected Legionella colonies should be examined using appropriate microbiological criteria and confirmed with suitable biochemical, immunological, molecular, or other validated identification techniques. Growth on selective BCYE-GVPC medium alone should not be considered sufficient for definitive species identification.
Overall, the Himedia BCYE Agar Plate with GVPC provides a convenient enriched and selective culture platform for the recovery and preliminary examination of Legionella species, combining the nutrient-rich BCYE formulation with GVPC selective agents in a ready-to-use plate format.
FAQs
What is the difference between BCYE agar and BCYE agar with GVPC?
Standard BCYE agar supports Legionella growth but isn’t selective. The GVPC supplement adds antibiotics and antifungals to inhibit competing microorganisms, making it selective for Legionella.
How long can I store these plates before use?
When stored at 2-8°C, the plates maintain quality for up to 3 months from manufacture date. Always check the expiration date on the packaging.
Can I use these plates for other bacteria besides Legionella?
While designed for Legionella, some other fastidious bacteria may grow. However, the GVPC supplement will inhibit most other organisms.
What colony characteristics should I look for?
Legionella colonies are typically small (1-3mm), grey-white, convex with a ground-glass appearance, and may show a bluish-green autofluorescence under UV light.
How do I order BCYE agar plates online in India?
You can easily buy BCYE agar plates with GVPC from eqipped’s online store. We offer secure payment options and fast delivery to all major cities.
