Overview
EC Broth is a standardized microbiological growth medium developed for the selective enrichment of fecal coliform bacteria, particularly Escherichia coli. Formulated with bile salts and lactose, it suppresses gram-positive and non-coliform gram-negative bacteria while allowing target organisms to metabolize lactose, producing gas detectable in Durham tubes. First introduced in the mid-20th century, EC Broth remains a reference method in water testing protocols worldwide. Its selectivity stems from the combination of 1.5% bile salts (inhibiting non-enteric bacteria) and elevated incubation temperature (44.5±0.2°C), which further excludes non-fecal coliforms. The medium's reliability has been validated by organizations like ISO and FDA.
Physical and Chemical Properties
EC Broth is supplied as a hygroscopic powder with a slight peptone odor. When prepared, it forms a clear to slightly opalescent solution after sterilization (121°C for 15 minutes). The reconstituted medium has a light straw color and a final pH of 6.9±0.2. Key components include tryptose (nitrogen source), lactose (fermentable sugar), bile salts No. 3 (selective agent), and dipotassium phosphate (buffer). The medium lacks indicators; positive results are confirmed by gas production in Durham tubes within 24-48 hours at 44.5°C. Unlike EMB agar, EC Broth doesn't visually differentiate E. coli strains but provides quantitative data through MPN (Most Probable Number) methods.
Main Applications
EC Broth is primarily used in water quality assessment, especially for detecting fecal contamination in drinking water, recreational waters, and wastewater. Regulatory bodies like the EPA mandate its use in total coliform rule compliance testing. In food safety, it serves as a presumptive test for E. coli in dairy products, meat, and ready-to-eat foods. Pharmaceutical manufacturers employ EC Broth in microbial limits testing for raw materials. Recent adaptations include modified versions for detecting antibiotic-resistant E. coli strains in clinical specimens and environmental samples.
Safety and Storage
Store unopened EC Broth powder in original containers at room temperature (below 25°C), protected from moisture. Once opened, transfer contents to airtight containers with desiccants to prevent clumping. Shelf life is typically 3 years when stored properly. Prepared media should be used immediately or refrigerated (2-8°C) for up to 1 week. Always sterilize used media by autoclaving before disposal to prevent environmental contamination. Though non-hazardous, inhalation of powder may irritate respiratory tracts—handle in ventilated areas or under fume hoods when weighing large quantities.
B2B Procurement Guide
When procuring EC Broth, prioritize suppliers with ISO 13485 or GMP certification for consistent quality. Request Certificates of Analysis (COA) verifying: bile salt concentration (1.5% w/v), lactose content (5% w/v), and sterility testing results. For high-throughput labs, consider pre-measured single-use packets (e.g., 22.5g for 1L batches) to reduce weighing errors. Bulk purchases (5kg+) typically offer 15-30% cost savings but require proper storage facilities. Validate new batches against reference strains (e.g., E. coli ATCC 25922) before full-scale implementation. Some manufacturers offer custom formulations with extended shelf life or enhanced selectivity for specific applications.
Related Manufacturers
- 主营：琼脂培养基
- 主营：培养皿、菌检测、菌落计数器、培养基、ms培养基、支原体培养基、路桥培养基、马铃薯葡萄糖琼脂培养基、三药培养基、海博培养基、水质检测、微生物检测仪器设备、接种环、微生物检验、微生物检测、程控定量封口机、菌种鉴定
- 主营：康宁移液器、梯度PCR、细胞计数仪、xoidEC肉汤培养基、Oxoid蛋白胨、赛默飞吸头、电动移液器、凝胶成像、培养皿、电泳电源、电泳系统、监测滤器、过滤漏斗、丁腈手套、乳胶手套、搅拌器、培养瓶、高通量水平、数字干浴器、多功能振荡、针头过滤器
- 主营：7h9肉汤、肉汤管、琼脂培养基、大肠杆菌、磷酸盐缓冲液、胰蛋白胨胆盐
- 主营：大肠杆菌、琼脂平皿、琼脂平板、tge肉汤、isp培养基、pcfa培养基、琼脂培养基、korthof培养基、蛋白胨培养基、检定用培养基、无机铁磷培养基、中和增菌培养基、双歧杆菌、一次性试管、硫乙醇酸盐、生理盐水管、高压灭菌袋
- 主营：分析仪、砷化氢、无臭纸、培养基、接收管、过滤管、氮合金、速测卡、滴定管、精馏头、葡萄酒、冷凝器、收装置、璃洗瓶、吸管仪、发酵栓、测定仪、分析筛、定砷仪、发泡剂、玻璃棉、测试片、萃取管、无臭袋、雾状仪、采样器
- 主营：马铃薯、增菌液、噬菌体、培养基、营养盐、串珠菌、琼脂粉、西红柿、活性炭、营养液、酵母氮、基础盐、血琼脂、酵母膏、磁螺菌、缓冲液、抑菌剂、氯化钠、玉米粉、三糖铁、洗脱液、中和剂、结冷胶、沉降菌、橄榄油
- 主营：磷酸三甲苯酯、氨基甲酸乙酯、磷酸甲苯二苯酯、微生物培养基、甲乙酮肟、四乙基溴化铵、碳酸二丁酯、环烷酸铅、亚硫酸铵、二苯甲酮腙、石油磺酸钠、三乙醇胺、甲醇、乙醇、二甲苯、二氯甲烷、环烷酸铜、氨基甲酸甲酯、单过硫酸氢钾、氯化石蜡、三异丙醇胺、苄基三甲基氯化铵、苄基三乙基氯化铵、四乙基氯化铵、四甲基氯化铵、新癸酸铋
- 主营：硫酸铜、二甲苯、均染剂、培养基、钼酸铵、液体肥、硫酸锌、乳化剂、锡酸钠、发黑液、叶面肥、混合菌、高碳醇、硫酸钴、络合剂、除油粉、糖醇锌、醋酸铜、氯化钾、壳寡糖、叔丁醇、清洗剂、糖醇硅、海藻硼、醋酸钴、防锈油
- 主营：阿洛酮糖、阿斯巴甜、安赛蜜、培养基、低聚木糖、甘露寡糖、麦芽糖醇、木糖醇、纽甜、乳糖、三氯蔗糖、水苏糖、甜菊糖、罗汉果甜苷、β-环状糊精、阿拉伯胶、刺槐豆胶、大豆蛋白粉、大豆分离蛋白、瓜尔豆胶、黄原胶、结冷胶、果胶、维生素A、维生素B1、维生素b1
- 主营：β-环状糊精、阿拉伯胶、刺槐豆胶、培养基、瓜尔豆胶、果胶、海藻酸丙二醇酯、海藻酸钠、黄原胶、结冷胶、聚丙烯酸钠、卡波姆、卡拉胶、魔芋粉、塔拉胶、沙蒿籽胶、明胶、温轮胶、大豆分离蛋白、低聚半乳糖、菊粉、水苏糖、罗汉果甜苷、木聚糖、索马甜、氨糖
- 主营：营养琼脂、平板计数琼脂、沙氏琼脂、培养基、成品培养基、细胞培养基、显色培养基、胰蛋白胨大豆琼脂、哥伦比亚血琼脂
- 主营：培养基、组织芯片
- 主营：蛋白胨、酪蛋白胨、大豆蛋白胨、培养基原材料、酵母浸粉、胰蛋白胨、酸水解酪蛋白胨、牛肉浸粉、酵母浸膏、牛肉浸膏、胰酪蛋白胨、玉米浆干粉、牛肉蛋白胨、马铃薯浸粉、酵母蛋白胨、鱼蛋白胨、麦芽浸粉、消化血清粉、月示蛋白胨、牛骨蛋白胨、豆粕提取物、琼脂粉、胃蛋白胨、多价胨、多聚蛋白胨、黄豆饼粉
- 主营：18908-66-2、癸甲氯铵、咪唑烷酮、培养基、二异丁腈、饲料添加剂、分散剂工业、柠檬酸三丁酯、聚乙烯吡咯烷、二甲基溴化铵
- 主营：黄原胶、大豆分离蛋白、瓜尔胶、培养基、果胶、海藻酸钠、结冷胶、卡拉胶、抗性糊精、可得然胶、明胶、魔芋粉、琼脂、羧甲基纤维素钠、阿斯巴甜、安赛蜜、赤藓糖醇、低聚半乳糖、低聚果糖、低聚木糖、低聚异麦芽糖、核糖、木糖、阿拉伯糖、菊粉、麦芽糖醇
- 主营：三硫代碳酸钠、红色素-16、聚乙烯亚胺、培养基、三乙二醇二异辛酸酯、巯基苯并噻唑钠、L-丙交酯、乙交酯、石油酯-T50、多元醇苯甲酸酯、热压敏染料、光稳定剂、高分子降解材料
- 主营：6-二羟基吲哚、磷钼酸、艾拉莫德中间体、细菌培养基、甲基丙二酸、光引发剂、苯芴醇、溴芬酸钠中间体、樟脑醌、钼酸钾、丝素蛋白、盐酸胍、β-丙氨酸甲酯盐酸盐、聚二羟基吲哚、7-去氢胆固醇、甘氨胆酸钠盐、半叶素、胆固醇、2-辛基十二醇、蛋白酶K、D-荧光素钾盐、光引发剂LAP、BIS-TRIS、甲基丙烯酸氧杂环丁烷
- 主营：木糖醇、麦芽糖醇、赤藓糖醇、培养基、低聚果糖、低聚木糖、水苏糖、乳糖、菊粉、阿拉伯糖、核糖、甘露糖醇、纽甜、三氯蔗糖、瓜尔胶、黄原胶、海藻酸钠、酪蛋白酸钠、琼脂粉、魔芋粉、聚丙烯酸钠、魔芋胶、结冷胶、卡拉胶、羧甲基纤维素钠、植酸钠
- 主营：一乙醇胺、三乙醇胺、油酸钠、生物培养基、苯并三氮唑、十八胺、氨基磺酸、氨基三亚甲基磷酸、水杨酸、硅油、二硫化钼、EDTA系列