Chocolate Agar with Enrichment, 20 mL Prepared Plate, 10/Pk

This product provides 20mL of Chocolate Agar supplemented with a defined chemical enrichment, supplied in standard sterile petri dishes. This is the premier non-selective medium used for the isolation and cultivation of fastidious microorganisms (the "picky eaters" of the bacterial world), particularly those from respiratory and genital specimens.

The "Hidden Nutrient" Unlock: Despite the name, this agar contains no cocoa. It is made by heating blood agar to lyse (break open) the red blood cells, which turns the medium a chocolate-brown color. This heating process is critical for two reasons:

1. Releasing Factor X & V: Standard blood agar traps nutrients inside the cells. Heating releases Hemin (Factor X) and NAD (Factor V) into the agar. Pathogens like Haemophilus influenzae require these specific factors to survive and cannot grow on plain blood agar because they cannot break the cells open themselves.

2. The "Enrichment" Boost: This formulation is further fortified with a synthetic supplement (often containing vitamins, amino acids, glutamine, and dextrose). This ensures the vigorous growth of pathogenic Neisseria species (like N. gonorrhoeae and N. meningitidis), which require more than just lysed blood to thrive.

Usage Note: Because this medium is extremely rich and non-selective (it has no antibiotics), almost any bacteria or fungus will grow on it. It is typically used in conjunction with selective plates (like MacConkey or Thayer-Martin) to ensure nothing is missed.

Common Applications:

• Respiratory Testing: The gold standard for recovering Haemophilus influenzae from sputum or bronchial washings.

• Genital & CSF Screening: Culturing Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Neisseria meningitidis.

• Fastidious Aerobes: Cultivating organisms that fail to grow on Tryptic Soy or Blood Agar.

Key Features:

• Factors X & V: readily available for Haemophilus.

• Chemically Enriched: Supports the most delicate pathogens.

• Standard Fill: 20mL volume supports moisture for CO2 incubation.

• Visual Contrast: Greyish colonies are easily visible against the brown background.

• Format: Sterile pre-poured agar plates (10-pack).

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