Simmons Citrate Agar for Microbiology Laboratory Himedia
Simmons Citrate Agar (HiMedia Code: M099) is a classic differential growth medium widely utilized in medical diagnostic laboratories, water quality testing facilities, and food safety units. Formulated to determine an organism's ability to utilize sodium citrate as its sole carbon source and inorganic ammonium salts as its sole nitrogen source, it plays a vital biochemical role in IMViC testing schemes for distinguishing enteric Gram-negative bacilli (such as differentiating Escherichia coli, which is citrate-negative, from Enterobacter aerogenes and Salmonella species, which are citrate-positive). It serves as an indispensable diagnostic staple across university microbiology faculties, hospital pathology units, and public health labs throughout Bangladesh.
Performing reliable biochemical identification requires a carefully balanced mineral formulation that prevents false-positive reactions caused by nutrient carryover. Simmons Citrate Agar achieves this by incorporating sodium citrate and ammonium dihydrogen phosphate in an electrolyte-balanced base. When inoculated bacteria utilize citrate, they metabolize the ammonium salts, releasing alkaline metabolic byproducts that raise the pH of the medium. This alkalinity triggers a visible shift in the bromothymol blue pH indicator, changing the forest-green slant to a vibrant Prussian blue. Organisms unable to utilize citrate fail to grow, leaving the slant unchanged green.
Supplied as a free-flowing, homogeneous cream-to-yellow dehydrated powder, it dissolves efficiently in distilled water (typically 24.28 g/L) and is distributed into tubes to solidify as slants. Victor Scientific Co. supplies authentic HiMedia culture media, analytical reagents, and laboratory apparatus nationwide with batch traceability and dependable delivery across all 64 districts of Bangladesh.
✹ Key Features
Authentic HiMedia Quality (Code: M099)
Manufactured to stringent international microbiological benchmarks, ensuring consistent citrate utilization performance and sharp color transition.
Defined Sole Carbon & Nitrogen Source
Contains sodium citrate as the sole carbon source and ammonium dihydrogen phosphate as the sole nitrogen source for precise IMViC testing.
Clear Bromothymol Blue Indicator
Shifts distinctly from an initial forest green to an alkaline Prussian blue upon successful citrate metabolism.
Optimized Slant Formulation
Designed to be poured and cooled as agar slants in tubes, maximizing surface area for aerobic streak inoculation.
Convenient Preparation Ratio
Requires suspending 24.28 grams in 1,000 ml of purified distilled water, boiling to dissolve completely, and autoclaving at 121°C for 15 minutes.
Moisture-Resistant HDPE Packaging
Packaged in a 500-gram hermetically sealed container designed to safeguard the dehydrated powder against ambient humidity and degradation.
✹ Applications
- Differentiation of Enterobacteriaceae and coliform groups in clinical and non-clinical microbiology labs
- IMViC biochemical identification series for water, dairy, and food pathogen surveillance
- Public health water testing and municipal sewage safety verification protocols
- Pharmaceutical bioburden testing and quality control screening
- Academic undergraduate and postgraduate laboratory practicals in general bacteriology and microbial physiology
✹ Why Choose HiMedia Simmons Citrate Agar?
- Globally recognized formulation standard for reliable biochemical testing and species-level differentiation.
- Sharp, unambiguous color contrast (blue vs. green) enables rapid visual interpretation within 18 to 24 hours of incubation.
- Highly soluble powder disperses smoothly into solution during laboratory preparation.
- Genuine institutional procurement and dependable stock availability backed by Victor Scientific Co.
✹ Benefits
- Accelerates identification workflows by providing a clear, definitive biochemical test for enteric classification.
- Maximizes laboratory cost-efficiency through high-yield 500g packaging capable of producing over 20 liters of finished media.
- Reduces procedural errors with certified formulation standards and clear technical documentation.
- Backed by dependable nationwide distribution and technical support through Victor Scientific Co.
✹ About Victor Scientific Co.
Victor Scientific Co. provides quality laboratory equipment, measuring instruments and scientific tools in Bangladesh. We supply reliable products for educational institutions, industries, laboratories and professional users.