Microbiological studies require the availability of different species of bacteria, yeast or viruses in the laboratory. Large scale processes such as fermentation, protein and vaccine production require large numbers of bacteria in physiologically active state. A suitable nutrient medium that provides appropriate biochemical environment and maintains all the characteristics of microbes is therefore required for various applications.
Any microbial medium should include sources of nutrition, energy, essential minerals, buffering agents and pH indicators. Sometimes they also include selective agents and solidifying agents. Obligate parasites such as bacteriophages may be cultivated in a nutrient medium that also contains host bacteria.
The following are the essential components of a typical microbial medium:
What are the differences among the Luria, Lennox and Miller LB formulations?
LB, (originally termed lysogeny broth) was initially composed of tryptone, yeast extract, NaCl and glucose.Soon after, the glucose was omitted (Miller's version), and later the NaCl content lowered by half (Lennox's version).For some applications, even lower salt is required (Luria's low salt version).
What is the difference among the LB - Miller products?
LB - Miller is available in many types to suit your needs.The different product formats include powder and liquid form.The powder form is also available with agar for easy LB-agar plate preparation.L2542 (LB Miller liquid)L3522 (LB Miller powder)L3147 (LB Miller powder with agar)
Which bacterial culture medium is the best choice for my application?
Each of the broths will likely grow E. coli very well, but there are still general guidelines for choosing a broth when you are working without a protocol.Generally:LB - Miller and LB - Lennox are used for E. coli growth and maintanence, DNA plasmid production and protein production.The Lennox formulation has a lower salt content required for some salt-sensitive selection antibiotics.LB - Luria low salt is used for special applications where the E. coli growth or other constraints require the lowest possible salt content.Terrific Broth is used for higher yield protein production and high yield DNA plasmid production, because of the faster growth of the E. coli in this medium.SOB is used for protein production, DNA plasmid production and the generation of high-efficiency competent cells.SOC is used for initial growth of competent cells and the transformation procedure.
Will adding magnesium to the culture medium increase cell density?
In microbial broth formulations that do not already contain magnesium, the addition of 10-20 mM MgCl2 or MgSO4 may increase cell densities. You may need to also increase the shaking speed of the incubator.