Palcam Agar Base

(Polymyxin, Acriflavine, Lithium chloride, Ceftazidine, Aesculin, Mannitol)

LAB 148

Description

Palcam Agar was developed by Van Netten et al in 1989 as an improved selective differential medium for the isolation of Listeria monocytogenes from food, clinical and environmental specimens.

Improved selectivity is achieved by the combination of antibiotic supplements and microaerobic incubation, whilst the double indicator system of aesculin hydrolysis and mannitol fermentation aids differentiation of Listeria spp from enterococci and staphylococci which can be confused with Listeria spp on other types of culture media.

Method for reconstitution

Weigh 71 grams of powder and disperse in 1 litre of deionised water. Soak for 10 minutes, swirl to mix then sterilise by autoclaving at 121˚C for 15 minutes. Cool to 47˚C and add 2 vials of P.A.C. Supplement - X144. Mix thoroughly and pour into Petri dishes.

Appearance: Red, translucent

pH: 7.2 ± 0.2

Minimum Q.C. organisms L. monocytogenes NCIMB 50007 E. coli (inhibition) NCIMB 50034

Storage of Prepared Medium: Plates - up to 7 days at 4˚C in the dark.

Inoculation: 0.1ml of sample selectively enriched in Palcam Broth (or other enrichment medium) spread over surface of plate.

Incubation: 30˚C aerobically or microaerobically for 24-48 hours.