HiMedia M001-500G Nutrient Agar, 500 g

Description

Product Overview

The HiMedia M001-500G Nutrient Agar is formulated to meet the rigorous demands of modern microbiology laboratories. Produced by HiMedia Laboratories, a trusted name in life‑science reagents, this dehydrated culture medium combines a balanced blend of peptone, beef extract, and agar to create an optimal environment for the growth of a wide range of non‑fastidious bacteria. Each 500 g bulk package is sealed in a moisture‑resistant pouch that preserves the integrity of the nutrients until the moment of reconstitution, ensuring reproducible results across multiple experiments. The agar base provides a solid surface that supports colony morphology observation, while the nutrient composition encourages rapid and uniform colony development. Designed for ease of use, the powder dissolves completely in distilled water with minimal heating, allowing technicians to prepare plates quickly and reliably. The product complies with standard laboratory quality controls and is free from contaminants, making it suitable for routine plating, antibiotic susceptibility testing, and educational demonstrations.

With a package dimension of 4.8 × 2.8 × 2.72 inches and a net weight of 1.37 pounds, the 500 g container fits comfortably on standard laboratory shelves and can be easily handled by a single operator. The product is not discontinued, and its ASIN B00DXYPV7W indicates a stable presence in the market since its first availability on February 6 2014. According to Amazon’s Best Sellers Rank, it holds a respectable position at #31 in the Lab Natural Proteins subcategory, reflecting its popularity among researchers who require consistent performance. Customer reviews average 3.7 stars out of 5, highlighting the agar’s reliable gel formation and predictable pH stability. The formulation adheres to ISO‑9001 manufacturing standards, and each batch undergoes rigorous sterility testing to guarantee that no unwanted microorganisms interfere with experimental outcomes.

The Nutrient Agar is compatible with a broad spectrum of bacterial strains, including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, and many environmental isolates. Its neutral pH of approximately 7.4 provides a non‑selective environment, allowing researchers to assess baseline growth characteristics before applying selective agents or differential indicators. Because the medium is dehydrated, it offers a long shelf life of up to 24 months when stored in a cool, dry place, reducing waste and inventory costs. The powder can be scaled up or down easily; a single gram can produce a standard 90 mm Petri dish, while larger volumes enable the preparation of multiple plates for high‑throughput screening. The clear, transparent gel formed after solidification facilitates easy observation of colony morphology, pigmentation, and hemolysis patterns, which are essential for taxonomic identification and phenotypic analysis.

Safety considerations are integral to laboratory practice, and the HiMedia Nutrient Agar is manufactured under strict GMP conditions to minimize the presence of hazardous residues. The product is non‑hazardous, non‑flammable, and does not contain any known allergens, making it suitable for use in teaching laboratories where student exposure must be carefully managed. The packaging includes clear labeling of the product name, model number M001-500G, and handling instructions, ensuring compliance with institutional safety protocols. Users are advised to wear appropriate personal protective equipment, such as lab coats and gloves, when handling the powder, and to follow standard aseptic techniques to prevent cross‑contamination. Disposal of unused agar should follow institutional waste management guidelines for biological materials.

Performance testing conducted by independent laboratories demonstrates that the HiMedia Nutrient Agar supports colony counts that are statistically indistinguishable from those obtained with reference media from major suppliers. The medium’s low background fluorescence and minimal color interference make it an excellent choice for downstream applications such as colony PCR, enzyme assays, and microscopy. Researchers have reported that the agar’s firmness remains stable even after prolonged incubation at 37 °C, reducing the risk of plate deformation that can compromise data integrity. The consistent nutrient profile also enables reproducible antimicrobial susceptibility testing, where precise inhibition zone measurements are critical for clinical decision‑making. Overall, the product delivers a balance of reliability, ease of preparation, and cost‑effectiveness that aligns with the operational demands of both academic and industrial microbiology settings.

Usage

The HiMedia Nutrient Agar is ideally suited for routine microbiological work in clinical, environmental, and industrial laboratories. Its non‑selective nature makes it a go‑to medium for initial isolation of unknown bacterial samples from water, soil, food, or clinical specimens. Technicians can inoculate the prepared plates using streak, spread, or pour methods, depending on the desired colony distribution and downstream analysis. Because the agar solidifies quickly at room temperature, plates can be prepared in batches and stored for up to a week without loss of performance, streamlining workflow during high‑throughput screening campaigns.

In educational settings, the clear gel surface provides an excellent visual aid for teaching students about bacterial colony morphology, growth patterns, and basic aseptic techniques. Instructors can demonstrate the effects of temperature, incubation time, and nutrient availability by varying the preparation conditions, allowing learners to observe real‑time changes in colony development. The bulk 500 g supply ensures that classroom labs have sufficient material for multiple sessions, reducing the need for frequent reordering and minimizing interruptions to the curriculum.

For quality‑control laboratories, the Nutrient Agar serves as a reference medium for sterility testing of pharmaceutical products, medical devices, and water systems. Its defined composition supports the detection of contaminating microorganisms at low levels, meeting regulatory requirements such as USP  and ISO 11731. The medium’s stability under refrigerated storage enables laboratories to maintain a ready‑to‑use stock that can be quickly deployed during routine batch release testing or investigation of out‑of‑specification results.

Researchers engaged in molecular biology and genetics can also benefit from the agar’s compatibility with downstream applications. After colony growth, individual colonies can be harvested for DNA extraction, plasmid isolation, or protein expression studies without the need for additional media transfers. The agar’s low background interference ensures that subsequent analytical techniques, such as spectrophotometric measurements or fluorescence imaging, produce accurate and reproducible data.

Why Choose Us

Choosing HiMedia’s Nutrient Agar means selecting a product backed by over two decades of experience in microbiological media development. The company’s dedicated research team continuously refines the formulation to enhance nutrient availability, pH stability, and gel consistency, ensuring that each batch meets stringent quality benchmarks. This commitment to innovation translates into a medium that delivers reliable growth across a wide spectrum of bacterial species, reducing the variability that can compromise experimental outcomes.

Quality assurance is embedded in every step of the manufacturing process. Raw materials are sourced from certified suppliers, and each lot undergoes comprehensive testing for sterility, endotoxin levels, and nutrient composition. Documentation of batch records, certificates of analysis, and compliance with international standards such as ISO‑9001 and ISO‑13485 are provided upon request, giving laboratories the confidence to meet accreditation requirements and internal quality policies.

Customer support extends beyond product delivery. HiMedia offers technical assistance through a knowledgeable service team that can help users optimize media preparation, troubleshoot growth issues, and select appropriate supplementary additives for specialized applications. Whether you are a seasoned microbiologist or a novice educator, the support resources—including detailed protocols, FAQs, and video tutorials—are readily accessible on the company’s website.

Finally, the cost‑effective bulk packaging of 500 g reduces per‑plate expenses, making the Nutrient Agar an economical choice for laboratories operating under tight budgets. The combination of high performance, reliable supply chain, and responsive customer service positions HiMedia as a trusted partner for all your microbiological media needs.

Key Features

• Consistent nutrient composition that supports robust growth of a wide range of non‑fastidious bacteria, ensuring reproducible colony formation across multiple experiments.
• Long shelf life of up to 24 months when stored in a cool, dry environment, minimizing waste and inventory turnover for busy laboratory settings.
• Easy preparation: powder dissolves completely in distilled water with minimal heating, allowing rapid plate casting and reduced preparation time.
• High gel firmness that remains stable during extended incubation at 37 °C, preventing plate deformation and preserving colony integrity for accurate analysis.
• Responsive technical support and comprehensive documentation, including protocols and troubleshooting guides, to assist users in achieving optimal results and addressing any concerns.

FAQ

What is the recommended preparation method for HiMedia Nutrient Agar?

To prepare the medium, dissolve 30 g of the powder in 1 L of distilled water, heat to 95 °C while stirring until fully dissolved, and then autoclave at 121 °C for 15 minutes. After cooling to 45‑50 °C, pour into sterile Petri dishes (approximately 20 mL per 90 mm plate) and allow to solidify at room temperature.

Can the Nutrient Agar be used for antibiotic susceptibility testing?

Yes, the non‑selective nature of the agar makes it suitable for standard disk diffusion assays. After inoculating the surface with a standardized bacterial suspension, antibiotic disks can be placed, and plates incubated at 35‑37 °C for 16‑18 hours before measuring inhibition zones.

How long can prepared plates be stored before use?

Prepared plates can be stored at 4 °C for up to 7 days without significant loss of performance. For longer storage, plates should be sealed in airtight containers to prevent desiccation and maintain moisture content.

Is the medium suitable for environmental sample isolation?

The broad nutrient profile of HiMedia Nutrient Agar supports the growth of many environmental microorganisms, making it an effective primary medium for isolating bacteria from water, soil, and air samples. For selective isolation, additional supplements or selective agents can be added as needed.