Brucella Blood Agar – BRU

Brucella Blood Agar – BRU

Brucella Blood agar (BRU) is intended for the isolation, quantitation, and partial identification of obligate anaerobic bacteria from clinical specimens. This media will also support the growth of aerobic and microaerophilic bacteria if incubated appropriately. BRU is also suitable for use in antibiotic differential disk examination and spot biochemical testing.

NOTE:  AS-614 Brucella Blood Agar 150mm plates are larger than the standard 100mm petri plates and are certified to have an agar depth of 4mm ±0.5mm

BRU Agar Plate

C. perfringens (ATCC 13124) Growing On BRU Agar Plate

AS-614 Compared to AS-111

1 or 4 plates per package

Item # Description Size Price
AS-111  BRU mono plate 1 plate $2.88
AS-141  BRU mono plate 4 plates $10.12
AS-614  BRU 150mm plate (certified depth 4mm ±0.5mm) 1 plate $5.39
The following products contain BRU as one of multiple components:
Item #
 Description Size
AS-302 BRU mono / BBE-LKV Biplate 1 plate ea.
AS-322 BRU mono / BBE-PEA Biplate 1 plate ea.
AS-303 BRU mono / LKV mono / PEA Mono 1 plate ea.
AS-323 BRU mono / PEA mono / BBE-LKV Biplate 1 plate ea.
AS-444 BRU mono / PEA mono / LKV mono / BBE mono 1 plate ea.
BRU Product InsertBRU SDS

Product Description & Summary

BRU agar is an enriched non-selective media that supports the growth of fastidious microorganisms. BRU agar contains casein, peptones, yeast extract, and dextrose as the nutrient base medium. It is supplemented with vitamin K1 and hemin to facilitate the recovery and pigment production of Prevotella melaninogenica, and other fastidious anaerobes. Sheep blood has been added for the growth factors required by some anaerobic bacteria, and allows the observation of hemolytic reactions as seen by the double zone β-hemolysis of Clostridium perfringens. This media is prepared, dispensed, and packaged under oxygen-free conditions to prevent the formation of oxidized products prior to use.

Interpretation of Results & Limitations

BRU agar should support good growth of obligate anaerobes and other fastidious microorganisms found in clinical infections. In addition, this media should support typical pigment production by Prevotella melaninogenica and typical double zone of β-hemolysis around colonies of Clostridium perfringens.

BRU agar will not provide complete information for identification of bacterial isolates. Additional test procedures and media are required for complete identification. In some cases, BRU agar may be overgrown with swarming Proteus spp. or Clostridium spp. It is recommended that selective media such as Brucella Laked Blood Agar with Kanamycin and Vancomycin (LKV, catalog #: AS-112) and/or Brucella Blood Agar with Phenylethyl Alcohol (PEA, catalog #: AS-113) also be inoculated from clinical specimens to prevent such overgrowth and thus provide isolated colonies. Consult reference materials for additional information.

Quality Control

The following organisms are routinely used for quality control testing at Anaerobe Systems.

Organism Tested ATCC # Results Time Special Reaction
Bacteroides fragilis* 25285 Growth 24 hrs
Prevotella melaninogenica* 25845 Growth 24 – 48 hrs Pigmentt (tan color)
Fusobacterium necrophorum 25286 Growth 24 hrs
Fusobacterium nucleatum* 25586 Growth 24 hrs
Clostridium perfringens* 13124 Growth 24 hrs Double Zone of β-hemolysis
Peptostreptococcus anaerobius* 27337 Growth 24 hrs
Staphylococcus aureus or    Enterococcus faecalis 25923     29212 Growth 24 hrs
Escherichia coli 25922 Growth 24 hrs
Proteus mirabilis 12453 Growth 24 hrs
Propionibacterium acnes or Clostridium difficile 6919      9689 Growth 24 – 48 hrs

24 hrs

* Organisms specified by CLSI for Quality Control testing of Anaerobic Blood Agars.

t Pigment production may require more than 48 hours of incubation

Product Storage & Shelf Life

Storage: Upon receipt, store at room temperature in original package until used. Avoid overheating or freezing. Do not use media if there are signs of deterioration (shrinking, cracking, or discoloration due to oxidation of media) or contamination. The expiration date applies to the product in its original packaging and stored as directed. Do not use product past the expiration date shown on the label.

Shelf Life: 90 days from date of manufacture.