M-Tec Agar 500g Each

M-TEC Agar is a highly effective microbiological culture medium designed for the rapid isolation, differentiation and enumeration of thermotolerant Escherichia coli (E. coli) in water samples using membrane filtration techniques. Widely used in environmental and water quality testing, this method provides a reliable indicator of faecal contamination, supporting compliance with public health and safety standards across the UK.

Thermotolerant E. coli (TEC) are key indicators of contamination in recreational and drinking water. Traditional enumeration methods often require extended incubation times and additional media for indole testing. In contrast, the M-TEC method enables accurate quantification of E. coli within 24 hours, eliminating the need for subculturing and reducing overall laboratory workload.

Key Features

• Rapid detection and enumeration of thermotolerant E. coli within 24 hours
• Ideal for water testing, including recreational and environmental samples
• Membrane filtration compatible for accurate microbial analysis
• Reduces need for additional confirmatory testing steps
• Supports efficient laboratory workflows and faster reporting

M-TEC Agar contains proteose peptone and yeast extract as sources of nitrogen, carbon, amino acids and vitamins essential for bacterial growth. Potassium phosphate buffers maintain stable pH conditions, while lactose serves as a fermentable carbohydrate. The inclusion of bromocresol purple and bromophenol red provides clear visual indicators for differentiation. Selective agents such as sodium lauryl sulphate and sodium deoxycholate inhibit the growth of gram-positive bacteria, ensuring specificity for E. coli detection.

Testing Method Overview:
Following membrane filtration, filters are aseptically placed face-up on M-TEC Agar plates and incubated at 44.5 ± 0.5°C. After incubation, filters are transferred to absorbent pads saturated with a urea substrate solution. A urease-negative reaction, indicated by yellow to yellow-brown colonies within 15–20 minutes, confirms the presence of thermotolerant E. coli.

Applications

• Recreational water testing
• Environmental water monitoring
• Drinking water quality assessment
• Microbiological laboratory analysis

Choose M-TEC Agar for a fast, reliable and cost-effective solution to detect faecal contamination and ensure water safety in line with modern laboratory standards.

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