ATCC - Bacterial - Culture - Guide Cepas ATCC PDF

ATCC® Bacterial Culture Guide
tips and techniques for culturing bacteria and bacteriophages
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Table of Contents
This guide contains general technical information for bacterial growth, propagation, preservation, and
application. Additional information on bacterial culturing can be found in Bergey’s Manual of Systematic
Bacteriology, 2nd Edition, published by Springer, New York1.
Getting Started with an ATCC Bacterial Biosafety and Disposal.................................................. 25

Strain ................................................................................................1 Biosafety.......................................................................... 25
Product Sheet...................................................................1 Disposal of Infectious Materials.............................. 25
Nomenclature Changes................................................1
Bacterial Authentication............................................. 26
Preparation of Medium.................................................1
Phenotypic Characterization ................................... 26
Opening Glass Ampoules.............................................1
Genotypic and Proteotypic Characterization .... 26
Initiating Frozen Cultures.............................................2
Quality Control.............................................................. 27
Initiating Lyophilized Cultures....................................3 Consumable Products................................................. 27
Handling Test Tube Cultures........................................3
Probiotics......................................................................... 27
Bacterial Growth and Propagation.......................5 Vitamins........................................................................... 27
Bacterial Growth Conditions.......................................5 Antibiotics....................................................................... 28
Bacterial Propagation.....................................................6 Organic Acids................................................................. 28
Bacterial Titering........................................................... 11 Biofuels............................................................................. 28
Reporter-Labeled Strains........................................... 28
Growth Media....................................................................... 12
Bacterial Culture Media ............................................. 12 Glossary...................................................................................... 29
Microbial Media Formulations................................. 14
References................................................................................ 31
Media Ingredients........................................................ 14
Media Supplements..................................................... 15
Preservation........................................................................... 18
Cryopreservation.......................................................... 18
Lyophilization ............................................................... 21
Preservation of Fastidious Bacteria........................ 23
Special Hazards............................................................. 24
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Getting Started with an ATCC Bacterial Strain
ATCC bacterial strains are shipped frozen on dry ice in plastic cryopreservation vials, as lyophilized cultures
in glass ampoules or serum vials, or as live cultures on agar slants or in broth medium. Upon receipt of
frozen cultures, immediately revive cultures by thawing and subsequently transferring cultures to an
appropriate growth medium. If this is not possible, store frozen vials in liquid nitrogen vapor (below -130°C).
Alternatively, the frozen material can be stored between -70°C and -80°C for short periods (1 to 5 days);
however, viability will decline at temperatures above -130°C. Freeze-dried cultures can be stored safely
at 4°C or lower. Upon receipt, rehydrate or dilute cultures using the appropriate medium and incubation
conditions specified on the product sheet. Live cultures should be transferred to an appropriate growth
medium upon receipt and incubated under the conditions specified on the product sheet.
Product Sheet
ATCC bacterial strains are shipped with a product sheet that contains detailed information on the initiation
and expansion of materials, as well as ideal growth and propagation conditions. This product sheet, as well
as additional information, can be found on the ATCC website or can be requested from the ATCC Technical
Service Department.
Nomenclature Changes
Changes in taxonomy or further analysis of bacterial strains may lead to a change in nomenclature. These
changes are indicated on product sheets and can be found online on the product page. Further information
on bacterial nomenclature changes can be found on the List of Prokaryotic Names with Standing in
Nomenclature (LPSN), which can be accessed online at http://www.bacterio.cict.fr/.
Preparation of Medium
In advance, prepare the appropriate medium and additional reagents necessary for bacterial strain revival
and growth. Ensure that the proper incubation conditions are ready. Information for the formulation and
preparation of the media and incubation conditions for these products is available on the ATCC website.
Opening Glass Ampoules

Overview
All cultures should be considered potentially hazardous and should be opened by individuals trained
in microbiological techniques working in facilities with containment requirements appropriate for the
biosafety level of the cultures. ATCC recommends that the handling or opening of glass ampoules be
performed in a biological safety cabinet. If this is not possible, wear protective clothing, gloves, a face shield
or safety goggles, and hold the vial away from your body. Ensure that all empty vials are sterilized before
disposal.
page 1 www.atcc.org Email tech@atcc.org

Opening Double-Vial Preparations (see diagram on page 3)
1. Heat the tip of the outer vial in a flame.
2. Add a few drops of water on the hot tip to crack the glass.
3. Strike the end of the vial with a file or pencil to remove the tip.
4. Remove the insulation and inner vial with sterile forceps.
Gently raise the cotton plug.
Opening Single-Vial Preparations (see diagram on page 3)
1. To recover the cell suspension from the glass ampoule, score the neck of the ampoule with a small,
sterile file.
2. Disinfect the outside of the ampoule with freshly prepared 70% ethanol or dip it into a beaker of freshly
prepared 70% ethanol.
3. Wrap the ampoule within several folds of a sterile towel or gauze to dry residual ethanol.
4. Working in a laminar flow hood, hold the vial upright and snap open the vial. Ensure that your gauze
does not become too wet with ethanol, or alcohol could be sucked into the culture when the vacuum
is broken. Rehydrate the material immediately.
Initiating Frozen Cultures

1. Prepare a sterile test tube that contains the recommended medium for bacterial growth as listed in the
supplied product sheet. Ensure that the medium contains all necessary reagents and is equilibrated for
temperature and pH.
2. Thaw the sample vial via gentle agitation in a water bath that is set to the normal growth temperature
of that strain. Thawing will be rapid; approximately 2 minutes or until all ice crystals have melted.
3. Remove the vial from the water bath and decontaminate the outer surface using 70% ethanol. Follow
strict aseptic conditions in a laminar flow hood for all further manipulations.
4. Unscrew the top of the vial and transfer the entire contents to a sterile test tube containing the
appropriate growth medium. Additional test tubes can be inoculated by transferring 0.5 mL of the
primary culture to additional secondary cultures.
5. Incubate cultures under the appropriate temperature and atmospheric Note 1:
Following recover y from
conditions as recommended on the product sheet. cryopreservation or lyophilization,
6. Examine cultures after the recommended incubation period. The some bacterial strains may exhibit
a prolonged lag phase. These
incubation period will vary between strains and is listed on the product strains may require an extended
sheet. (See: NOTE 1) incubation period.
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Phone 800.638.6597 www.atcc.org page 2

Initiating Lyophilized Cultures
1. Using a Pasteur pipette, aseptically add 0.5 mL of the recommended growth medium to the freeze-
dried material. Mix well.
2. Transfer the entire suspension to a test tube containing 5 to 6 mL of the recommended medium.
Additionally, transfer several drops of the suspension to an agar slant.
3. Incubate cultures under the appropriate temperature and atmospheric conditions as recommended
on the product sheet. Additional test tubes can be inoculated by transferring 0.5 mL of the primary
culture to additional secondary cultures.
4. Examine cultures after the recommended incubation period. The incubation period will vary between strains
and is listed on the product sheet. Most freeze-dried cultures will grow within a few days. (See: NOTE 1)
Handling Test Tube Cultures

1. Incubate the culture upon receipt under the appropriate temperature and atmospheric conditions
recommended on the product sheet. Do not store the culture in a refrigerator.
2. Transfer the culture to fresh media as specified on the product sheet. When transferring a broth culture,
aseptically withdraw approximately 1.0 mL of the culture and transfer into 5 mL of fresh broth, or
transfer several drops of the suspension to an agar slant or plate. When transferring a culture from an
agar slant, aseptically transfer a single colony to 5 mL of fresh broth or to an agar slant or plate.
3. Incubate the culture under the appropriate temperature and atmospheric conditions recommended
on the product sheet.

Tip
Insulator
Cotton plug
Outer vial (soft glass) Borosilicate glass
Inner vial
Freeze-dried pellet Freeze-dried cells
Cotton
Desiccant with indicator
These preparations may be enclosed in a thin skin of

Heat the tip of the outer cellulose; this skin must be removed (either with a sharp
vial in a flame blade or by soaking in water for a few minutes). Score the
ampule once briskly with a sharp file about one inch
from the tip.
Squirt a few drops of water

on the hot tip to crack glass
Disinfect the ampule with alcohol-dampened gauze
Strike with file or

pencil to remove tip
Wrap gauze around the ampule, and break at the scored area.
Care should be taken not to have the gauze too wet, or
alcohol could be sucked into the culture when the vacuum is
broken. Rehydrate material at once.
Remove insulation and inner vial with

forceps, gently raise cotton plug

Bacterial Growth and Propagation
Bacterial Growth Conditions
Temperature
Because bacteria can grow and thrive in a variety of environments, optimal growth temperatures may
vary significantly between species. In general, most pathogenic or commensal bacterial strains grow well
at body temperature (37°C). In contrast, many environmental strains thrive at lower temperatures, often
within a range of 25°C to 30°C.
Bacterial species can be categorized based on their growth temperature;
Note 2:
these include psychrophiles (0°C to 20°C), mesophiles (25°C to 40°C), and Regularly calibrate the temperature
thermophiles (45°C to 122°C). Though bacterial strains require optimal control system of incubators. Use
temperatures for growth and reproduction, most strains can withstand an alarm system when possible to
warn against temperature increases
considerable drops in temperature and survive several days at 4°C. At these above the optimum setting.
lower temperatures, bacterial growth and metabolism are significantly
diminished. (See: NOTE 2)
Atmosphere
In addition to varying requirements for optimal growth
temperatures, bacteria also differ in their use of oxygen for
respiration. Aerobic organisms, such as Bacillus species, use
oxygen as a terminal electron acceptor during respiration.
Similarly, microaerophiles, such as Helicobacter pylori, also
require the use of oxygen, but at lower levels than naturally
occurring in the environment. In contrast, anaerobic organisms
use electron acceptors such as nitrate or sulfate, among other
inorganic acceptors. These inorganic compounds, however, have
a lower reduction potential than oxygen thus resulting in less
efficient respiration.
The use of oxygen and inorganic compounds by anaerobic organisms can differ greatly between species.
Obligate anaerobes, such as Clostridium species, can only survive and reproduce in the absence of
oxygen; these organisms are often killed by the presence of oxygen. Similarly, aerotolerant anaerobes,
such as Lactobacillus species, cannot use oxygen during respiration; however, unlike strict anaerobes,
these microorganisms can tolerate oxygen for short periods of time. Lastly, facultative anaerobes, such as
Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus species, are able to survive in both the presence and absence of oxygen.
If given the choice, these organisms prefer the use of oxygen during respiration as it has the greatest
reduction potential as compared to other electron acceptors.
When working with anaerobic cultures, it is important to avoid unnecessary exposure to oxygen. Anaerobic
conditions may be obtained for either transfer or incubation by the methods listed below. Unless specifically
mentioned, the standard anaerobic gas mixture is 80% N2, 10% CO2, and 10% H2.
Anaerobic conditions for transfer may be obtained by either of the following:
1. Use of an anaerobic gas chamber.
2. Placement of test tubes under a gassing cannula system hooked to anaerobic gas.

During incubation, anaerobic conditions may be maintained by any of the following:
1. Loose screw-caps on test tubes in an anaerobic chamber.
2. Loose screw-caps on test tubes in an activated anaerobic GasPak™ system.
3. Use of sterile butyl rubber stoppers on test tubes so that an anaerobic gas headspace is retained.
Bacterial Propagation
Propagation of bacterial strains can vary significantly between species. Below, we describe the general
procedure for the propagation of non-fastidious strains and a more detailed set of procedures for fastidious
strains and bacteriophages⁴. Information regarding the recommended medium and growth conditions
can be found on the supplied product sheet. The product sheet, as well as additional information, can be
found on the ATCC website or can be requested from the ATCC Technical Service Department. Additional
propagation information can also be found in Bergey’s Manual of Systematic Bacteriology 2nd Edition,
Published by Springer, New York1.
Propagation of Non-Fastidious Strains

1. Open the vial according to enclosed instructions.
2. Initiate the lyophilized or frozen culture according to the
instructions described in the previous chapter, “Getting
Started with an ATCC Bacterial Strain”. Be sure to rehydrate the
entire pellet for optimal recovery.
3. Aseptically transfer this aliquot back into the broth tube. Mix
well.
4. Use several drops of the suspension to inoculate the
recommended agar slant and/or plate.
5. Incubate the tubes and plate at the recommended temperature Image of MRSA courtesy of Annie Cavanagh,
Wellcome Images
and atmospheric conditions. The incubation period will vary
between species.
Propagation of Bacteriophages and Fastidious Strains
A. Bacteriophages
ATCC bacteriophages should be propagated in their respective bacterial host strain.
To recover phage from freeze-dried or thawed liquid nitrogen vials:
1. Prepare an actively growing broth culture of the recommended host strain before opening the
phage specimen. The host should be in early log phase.
2. Add approximately 0.25 mL of the recommended host broth to a freeze-dried phage.
3. Pre-warm plates of the recommended medium in an incubator. Overlay the surface with 2.5 mL
of melted 0.5% agar (same medium) that contains one or two drops of the freshly grown host.
The soft agar should be maintained at 43°C to 45°C until ready to pour. It may be advisable to
use a water bath. Allow the overlay to harden.
4. The re-hydrated phage can be serially diluted using a 1:10 dilution scheme by passing 0.25 mL
of the phage into a tube containing 2.25 mL of the broth medium for freeze-dried vials; 0.5 mL
of the phage into a tube containing 4.5 mL of the broth media for frozen vials. Repeat for as
many passages as desired.

5. One drop of each dilution is spotted on the surface of the prepared plates. Allow this to dry.
Three to four dilutions can be place on each plate. After 24 hours incubation, lysis should be
visible. At the higher dilutions, individual plaques should be countable.
6. Many strains may also be titrated without a soft agar overlay.
NOTE 3:
Pipette approximately 1.0 mL of the host onto the surface of Spotting the phage on plates makes
each plate. After tilting plate to ensure the entire surface is visualizing the lysis easier. If phage
covered, the excess liquid is aspirated off. After the surface is added directly to soft agar before
pouring plates, hazy or tiny plaques
dries, the various dilutions of the phage are dropped onto the may be difficult to see. Resistant
surface as before. (See: NOTE 3) host bacteria may also mask plaque
formation.
To propagate phage:
1. Phage may be propagated by preparing plates with the soft agar/host overlay as above and
covering the surface with approximately 0.5 mL of the concentrated phage. Or, alternatively,
you may add the phage directly to the melted agar/host before pouring over the plates.
For larger amounts, large-size T flasks can be prepared with the recommended agar, and
approximately 12.0 mL of melted soft agar/host poured over the surface. Phage is then
allowed to run over hardened surface. Phage may also be added directly to melted soft agar
before pouring as described above.
2. After 24 hours incubation, or when lysis is observed, the soft agar is scraped off the surface of
the agar plates. Centrifuge at about 1000 rpm for 25 minutes to sediment the cellular debris
and agar. Conserve the supernatant.
3. This supernatant is passed through a .22 µm Millipore filter and
NOTE 4:
the filtrate stored at 4°C to 8°C. Lysates should remain viable Broth propagation methods may
under refrigeration for long periods. They may also be frozen also be employed with most phage.
with or without cryoprotectant. If available, liquid nitrogen Unless otherwise noted in the
product sheet, ATCC uses the Adams
storage is the best method for long term storage. Most phage agar overlay method as described in
can also be freeze dried. ATCC uses double strength skim milk M. H. Adams’ Bacteriophages2 for
mixed half-and-half with the filtrate. (See: NOTE 4) routine phage production.
B. Bacteroidaceae, Anaerobic
Many Bacteroidaceae species require anaerobic conditions for growth. ATCC recommends using
pre-reduced media that was either freshly prepared or previously prepared and stored under
anaerobic conditions.
Media can be prepared with reducing agents and stored in anaerobic environments such as
anaerobic chambers. To prepare pre-reduced media, add 0.1 mL of a reducing agent for each 5-10
mL of mixture and let it sit for a minimum of 30 minutes. Any of the following reducing agents are
appropriate: 1.5% Na2S*9H2O, 3% cysteine, or 5% coenzyme M.
Pre-reduced Anaerobically Sterilized (PRAS) media is also available commercially. Under anaerobic
conditions, the media is boiled free of molecular oxygen, a reducing agent is added, and the media
is then autoclaved and dispensed.
1. Rehydrate the vial contents under anaerobic conditions with 0.5 mL of the recommended
broth medium.
2. Aseptically transfer this aliquot to 5 mL of the same broth. At this time, you may inoculate an
agar slant of the same medium and a blood agar plate, using 0.1 mL of the cell suspension for
each.

3. Incubate the broth and slants at 37°C under anaerobic conditions.
a) Anaerobic conditions may be obtained by the methods described in the previous chapter,
“Bacterial Growth and Propagation”.
4. Incubate the blood agar plates anaerobically for colony formation or aerobically for aerobic
contamination check.
5. After an appropriate incubation period, which is strain dependent, growth should be evident
by turbidity in the broth and by colonies on the anaerobic agar surfaces. An aerobic blood
plate should show no growth.
C. Bdellovibrio sp.
Members of the Bdellovibrio genus (e.g., ATCC® No. 27047™) are host-specific predators of Gram-
negative bacteria. Therefore, it is necessary to establish a growing culture of the host strain
before opening the vial of the predator. Below, we describe a basic procedure on how to culture
Bdellovibrio.
1. In advance, culture the appropriate host strain according to the recommended growth
conditions.
2. Rehydrate the freeze-dried pellet of Bdellovibrio sp. with 0.5 mL of the recommended medium
and transfer the suspension to a sterile test tube.
3. Add approximately 0.5 mL of the growing host strain.
4. Melt the agar in tubes containing 2.5 mL each 0.6% semi-solid agar and place the tubes in a
water bath set at 45°C.
5. Add 0.2-0.3 mL of the host/predator suspension to each tube of melted agar and pour over the
surface of a pre-warmed plate of recommended agar medium.
6. Incubate plates aerobically at 30°C for 2-3 days. Observe daily until plaques or clearings are
seen.
7. Scrape off the overlay into a test tube and centrifuge at low speed to sediment the agar and
cellular debris. The Bdellovibrio should be in the supernatant. Check for tiny, rapidly moving
cells under a wet mount.
D. Borrelia burgdorferi
B. burgdorferi is a fragile, sensitive organism which must have the appropriate medium and
conditions for growth. The supplementation of rabbit serum to the required Barbour-Stoenner-
Kelly (BSK) medium is essential for the growth of this organism. Additionally, fresh medium
enhances growth, and medium older than one month should not be used.
1. Thaw and aseptically transfer the entire contents of the liquid nitrogen vial to a tube containing
5-6 mL of fresh recommended medium. Mix well.
2. Transfer one-tenth of the cell suspension to two or three other tubes of fresh medium.
3. Incubate the bacteria at 32°C to 37°C under
microaerophilic conditions.
4. Growth usually occurs after 48 hours, although some
strains may take several days to grow. Acid formation
during growth will change the medium to a light or
yellowish orange color. Turbidity is not evident. Cells
can be monitored under dark-field microscopy as
long spiral rods with twitching motility.

E. Leptospira Sp.
Leptospira is an aerobic strain that is fairly difficult to culture. ATCC recommends culturing this bacterium
in Leptospira Medium supplemented with agar (ATCC medium formulation 1470). (See: NOTE 5)
1. Aseptically withdraw the cell suspension from the thawed vial
Note 5:
and inoculate a 10 or 12 mL tube of recommended medium, The formulations for media used
inserting the pipette just below the surface of the semi-solid by ATCC can be found on the ATCC
medium. Aliquots of 0.5 mL from this tube may be used to website. Please note that most
microbial media are not currently
inoculate additional tubes if needed. An aerobic blood plate sold at ATCC.
may also be streaked to test for purity.
2. Incubate test tubes with screw-caps slightly tightened with
the blood plate aerobically at 30°C.
3. Initial growth may take from 6 to 20 days depending on the strain. Observe growth as a slight
tight band forming just below the surface of the medium. The band thickens as incubation
continues. Cellular morphology under dark-field microscopy shows active spiral cells with
flexing motility. The aerobic blood plate should show no signs of growth.
F. Campylobacter Sp.
Campylobacter species are often difficult to grow and maintain. Many Campylobacter species, such
as C. concisus, C. mucosalis, and C. showae, require a Brucella albimi broth or trypticase soy agar
medium which has been supplemented with formate and fumarate.
1. Rehydrate the contents of the vial with 0.5 mL of the recommended medium. Aseptically
transfer the suspension to 5.0 mL of the same broth.
2. Inoculate prepared agar plates, agar slants, or broth tubes with 0.1 mL aliquots of the
suspension. Screw caps on tubes loosely to allow for gas exchange.
3. Incubate the cultures at 37°C under microaerophilic conditions using an anaerobe jar and
a Campylobacter microaerophilic gas generator with an active catalyst or any other suitable
system which gives a final atmospheric mixture of 3-5% oxygen and 10% carbon dioxide.
4. Initially, 3-7 days of incubation may be required before visible growth is evident. Later
subcultures should require only 2-3 days.
G. Helicobacter Sp.
Helicobacter species have been isolated from a variety of animals, including humans. They require
microaerophilic growth conditions and can be grown on trypticase soy agar supplemented with
5% defibrinated sheep blood. Below, we describe the biphasic method of Helicobacter revival.
This method provides the best recovery and most rapid growth as compared to other methods
of propagation.
1. Add 0.5 mL of the recommended broth medium to the vial.
2. Mix the contents with the tip of the pipette until the pellet is rehydrated.
3. Add 0.4 mL of the suspension to a fresh agar slant of recommended medium. Add the
remaining 0.1 mL to a fresh agar plate.
4. Place the plates and test tube slant cultures into an anaerobe jar with an active catalyst
and a microaerophilic gas generator Gas Pak or within an incubator that can be set up for
microaerophilic conditions (3-5% oxygen and 10% carbon dioxide).
5. Incubate cultures at 37°C for 72 hours.
6. After 72 hours of incubation, you should observe small colonies on the surface of the agar
plate and slant. There should be heavy growth in the liquid portion of the biphasic slant.
H. Legionella pneumophila
L. pneumophila strains are nutritionally fastidious and very sensitive to the caliber of the
recommended growth medium, charcoal-yeast extract (CYE) Medium (buffered). ATCC recommends
that the pH of the medium be checked when the
temperature of the medium is cool. Additionally, the
medium should be stored in the dark as exposure to light
may result in the accumulation of peroxides, which may
be inhibitory to bacterial growth.
1. Store vials at 4°C until ready to use.
2. Rehydrate the freeze-dried material with 0.5 mL of
the recommended broth. Image of Gram-negative Legionella pneumophila
3. After the pellet has dissolved, transfer the vial bacteria courtesy of Janice Haney Carr, CDC
contents to a test tube containing 5-6 mL of broth. Aliquots of this broth may be transferred
to additional tubes of broth, to agar slants, or onto agar plates for purity and viability checks.
4. Incubate the cultures at 37°C under atmospheric conditions of 5% carbon dioxide. Strains
should show growth after 48 hours.
I. Mollicutes
Mollicutes are a class of bacteria that are distinguished by their lack of a cell wall. Rather, most
members of this class contain sterols in their cell membrane to increase membrane rigidity. Some
genera included in this category include Mycoplasma, Spiroplasma, and Ureaplasma. Bacteria in
this class tend to require a rich growth medium and are often sensitive to overgrowth.
1. Using the recommended medium, pipette 2.0 mL of broth into a sterile tube. Prepare additional
tubes, each containing 4.5 mL of the broth.
2. Open the freeze-dried vial as directed. Dissolve the pellet using approximately 0.5 mL of the
broth from the tube containing 2.0 mL to the freeze-dried pellet. Withdraw the suspension
and transfer it back into the tube.
3. Perform a serial dilution by transferring 0.5 mL from the first tube to a tube with 4.5 mL, and
then 0.5 mL from the second tube to a third tube, etc. This dilution series is important for
titering purposes as well as to keep the culture in varying stages of growth. Many mollicutes
strains die out when cultures become alkaline.
4. Incubate the tubes under the recommended culture conditions and temperature for each
strain. The incubation period will differ between strains. For strains requiring anaerobic
conditions, ATCC recommends that an anaerobe jar or other appropriate procedure is used.
J. Green and Purple Sulfur Bacteria
Green and purple sulfur bacteria are anaerobic or microaerophilic groups of bacterial strains that
are capable of photosynthesis. Unlike algae, they do not use water as their reducing agent; rather,
they use hydrogen sulfide.
1. Transfer the growing culture to fresh recommended medium, filling each 125 mL screw-
capped bottle to the top.
2. Incubate the culture at room temperature under incandescent light of 2,000-3,000 lux until the
elemental sulfur (i.e. milkiness) that formed disappears.
3. Feed the cultures with 1.0-2.0 mL of sterile neutral sulfide solution.

Bacterial Titering
Bacterial cell counts are necessary in order to establish or monitor bacterial growth rates as well as to set
up new cultures with known cell counts⁴. Bacterial cultures can be titered via determining the number of
colony forming units per milliliter (CFU/mL) or by measuring the optical density at a wavelength of 600 nm
(OD600).
To enumerate CFU/mL within a bacterial suspension at a given time-
Note 6:
point, remove an aliquot from an actively growing solution and perform To ensure that the bac terial
a serial dilution in an appropriate broth medium (See: NOTE 6). The extent concentration of the original culture
of the dilution will depend on the growth rate and phase of the strain. remains constant while determining
titer, growth can be suspended
Each dilution should be spread-plated onto several plates consisting of an at 4˚C. Note that at 4˚C, culture
appropriate agar-based medium, then grown under optimal conditions. viability may be compromised, or
Following a suitable growth period, count the number of colonies that alternatively, some bacterial strains
may continue to grow slowly.
have grown on each plate. For best results, only use plates harboring
colony counts between a range of 25-250 colonies as this will provide
an accurate representation of the bacterial titer. To determine the CFU/mL, calculate the average of the
number of colonies from one dilution series then divide by the final dilution on the plate. For example,
if you have three counts of 40, 37, and 43 from a set of plates at final of dilution of 10-7, the bacterial titer
would be 4.0 x 108 CFU/mL.
A spectrophotometer is also used to titer bacterial suspensions though determining the optical density,
or absorbance, of a sample. The concentration of a bacterial culture is measured by projecting a beam of
light, at a single wavelength of 600 nm, through the suspension within a transparent cuvette. When the
beam of light passes through the sample, some light is absorbed while remaining light is quantified by a
photometer. Generally, the more concentrated a solution is, the more light will be absorbed, and the higher
the OD measurement will be. To ensure that the OD600 reading generated by the spectrophotometer is the
OD of the bacterial suspension and not that of the medium, blank the machine before use with a medium-
only control.
The growth rate and culturing requirements of bacteria can vary drastically Note 7:
between species, thus making it difficult to quantify a bacterial titer. For Several bacterial genera, such as
more information on how to culture a particular strain, see the product Borrelia and Leptospira, are not
normally cultured on agar-based
sheet for details. Additional information can also be found in Bergey’s media. For these strains, ATCC uses
Manual of Systematic Bacteriology 2nd Edition1. (See: NOTE 7) light microscopy to establish titer.

Growth Media
Growth Media
Bacterial Culture Media
Depending on their composition or use, culture media can be
categorized into several groups; these include defined, complex,
selective, and enrichment medium. In a defined medium, the
exact chemical composition is known. These types of media are
usually composed of pure biochemicals, and are often used to
study the minimal nutrient requirement of a microorganism. In
contrast, the exact chemical composition of a complex medium
is not known. This latter medium type often contains reagents of
a biological origin, such as yeast extract and peptone, where the Image courtesy of Norm Baker, MS, MA, RBP,
Johns Hopkins Univ. School of Medicine
exact chemical composition is unknown. Complex media usually
provide a large range of growth factors that assist in the cultivation of unknown and fastidious bacterial
species3.
Media may also be formulated as selective or enriched. A selective medium is formulated to inhibit the
growth of certain bacterial species and/or promote the growth of a specific species. These media can
consist of additional selective reagents, such as high salt concentration to select for halophiles, or can be
used under selective growth conditions. An enrichment medium also allows for the growth of specific
bacterial species; however, enrichment media are supplemented with a reagent that permits, rather than
inhibits, the growth of a particular species3.
Generally, bacterial culture media are mixtures of proteins, salts, trace elements, amino acids, and
carbohydrates. The presence and volume of these components can vary significantly among bacterial
species depending on the macro- and micro-nutrient requirements of each strain. The manner in which
bacterial strains are cultured also varies widely. Liquid media are often used for the growth and propagation
of pure batch cultures, while solid agar-based media are used for the isolation of pure cultures.
In addition to supplying nutrients, liquid medium can assist in the maintenance of pH. The pH can be
sustained through one or more buffering systems such as 3-(N-morpholino)propanesulfonic acid (MOPS)
or potassium phosphate. The osmotic environment can be maintained through the addition of salts, such
as sodium chloride. ATCC uses numerous types of media in order to provide the optimal growth conditions
for each bacterial species. The formulations for these media can be found on the ATCC website at www.atcc.
org (See: NOTE 5 on page 8). Several bacterial media commonly used by ATCC include the following:
Brain Heart Infusion Agarose (BHI) (ATCC medium formulation 44) is a complex, nutrient-rich, general-
purpose growth medium used for culturing fastidious and nonfastidious microorganisms, including
streptococci and pneumococci. It is generated from the dehydrated infusions of bovine or porcine brain
and heart tissue. This medium can be supplemented with sodium chloride and disodium phosphate for
osmotic and pH maintenance, respectively. ATCC currently uses both BHI agar and broth medium supplied
from Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD).
Gonococcal (GC) Medium (ATCC medium formulation 814) is a growth medium used for the cultivation
of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and other fastidious organisms. It can be employed as a basal medium in the
preparation of Chocolate Agar, Thayer-Martin Medium, Martin-Lewis Agar, and Transgrow Agar. GC medium
is prepared from a mixture of GC agar base, Dried Bovine Hemoglobin, and IsoVitaleX™ available from BD.
For the selective growth of specific organisms, this medium can be supplemented with antibiotics including
chloramphenicol, streptomycin, tetracycline, and ampicillin.

Growth Media
Haemophilus Test Medium (HTM) (ATCC medium formulation 5129) consists of a complex mixture of yeast
extract, Mueller Hinton Broth, Porcine Hematin, and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). The main
component, Mueller Hinton Agar, was originally prepared as a solid media used to test the antimicrobial
susceptibility testing of common, non-fastidious, rapidly growing organisms. This initial media, however,
was not suitable for fastidious organisms such as streptococci, gonococci, and Haemophilus species5. HTM
was subsequently developed for the testing of fastidious organisms.
Luria-Bertani Broth Medium (LB) (ATCC medium formulation 1065) is an all-purpose medium used by
ATCC for the propagation and maintenance of Escherichia coli for molecular biology applications. It is
prepared in the Miller Composition using an LB broth mixture supplied by BD, which consists of tryptone,
yeast extract, and sodium chloride. LB can also be prepared as a solid medium through the addition of agar.
This medium is often supplemented with various antibiotics for the maintenance of plasmid DNA.
Marine Broth (ATCC medium formulation 2) is a selective, complex growth medium used for the cultivation
of heterotrophic marine bacteria. The marine environment offers a unique set of growth conditions
consisting of high salinity and low temperatures. To simulate this environment, marine broth is formulated
with peptone, yeast extract, and a high salt content. ATCC generates this medium using the Marine Broth
2216 preparation from BD. Marine broth may also be prepared as a solid medium through the addition of
agar.
Middlebrook 7H9 Broth (ATCC medium formulation 2714) is formulated to support the growth and
propagation of mycobacterium species. This medium is prepared as a mixture of Middlebrook 7H9 broth,
glycerol, sodium pyruvate, and albumin-dextrose-catalase (ADC) enrichment.
Middlebrook 7H10 Agar (ATCC medium formulation 173) is formulated for the isolation and cultivation
of mycobacteria from clinical and non-clinical specimens. This medium is prepared as a mixture of
Middlebrook 7H10 broth, glycerol, and oleic acid-albumin-dextrose-catalase (OADC) enrichment. It differs
from Middlebrook 7H9 broth in concentration of several salts as well as the addition of OADC enrichment
rather than ADC enrichment. This medium is based on an improved formulation that was developed to
promote the early growth of mycobacteria in vitro6.
Modified Chopped Meat Medium (ATCC medium formulation 1490) is a non-selective, complex medium
that supports the growth of most spore-forming and non-spore-forming obligate anaerobes. This medium
consists of a complex mixture of ground beef (fat-free), sodium hydroxide, trypticase peptone, yeast extract,
Hemin, dipotassium phosphate, and vitamin K1 solution. Depending on the required growth conditions of
each anaerobic strain, ATCC supplements this medium with various reagents such as glucose, arginine, or a
combination of formate and fumarate.
Nutrient Agar/Broth (ATCC medium formulation 3) is a general-purpose medium for the cultivation of
non-fastidious bacterial strains. ATCC prepares this media from a dehydrated stock provided by BD, which
consists of beef extract and peptone. This medium can be further enriched by the addition of heart infusion
broth. Alternatively, this medium can also be used for the selective growth of specific strains through the
addition of varying concentrations of sodium chloride.
Reinforced Clostridial Medium (ATCC media formulations 1053, 2107) is used by ATCC for the cultivation
and recovery of anaerobes, particularly Clostridium species, from a variety of sources. ATCC prepares this
medium using dehydrated culture media from either Oxoid Limited or BD. This media consists of a complex
mixture of salts, tryptose, beef extract, yeast extract, dextrose, starch, and L-Cysteine HCl.
Tryptic Soy Agar (ATCC medium formulation 18) is a medium used for the isolation and propagation of
a variety of bacterial strains. ATCC often prepares this medium using a tryptic soy base, provided by BD,
supplemented with 5% defibrinated sheep’s blood (ATCC medium formulation 260). The tryptic soy base

Growth Media
mixture consists of a combination of tryptone, soytone, and sodium chloride. The addition of sheep’s blood
helps to facilitate the growth of more fastidious bacteria.
Microbial Media Formulations

The formulations for media used by ATCC can be found on the ATCC website. Please note that most microbial
media are not currently sold at ATCC.
Media Ingredients
IsoVitaleX™
IsoVitaleX™ (BD) is a chemically defined enrichment additive used for the cultivation of fastidious bacteria.
This reagent is used in lieu of yeast concentrate to function as a nutrient supplement for the growth
of bacteria including gonococci and Haemophilus. IsoVitaleX™ consists of a mixture of Vitamin B12,
L-Glutamine, adenine, guanine hydrochloride p-Aminobenzoic acid, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide,
thiamine pyrophosphate, ferric nitrate, thiamine hydrochloride, L-cysteine hydrochloride, L-cysteine, and
dextrose.
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)
NAD is a dinucleotide compound found in all living cells. It functions as a coenzyme involved in oxidation/
reduction reactions, transporting electrons from one reaction to another. NAD can also be used as a
substrate in several biochemical reactions such as mono- and poly-ADP-ribosylation7. The addition of NAD
to bacterial culturing medium provides an essential role in metabolism as a coenzyme in redox reactions
and can additionally function as a substrate for bacterial DNA ligases8.
Peptone
Peptone is a water-soluble protein derivative used in bacteriology culture media. This reagent is prepared
via the partial hydrolysis of an animal protein by an enzyme or acid. Generally, not all bacterial species can
use free atmospheric nitrogen. Many species require either organic or inorganic fixed nitrogen9. Peptone
is used in bacterial media as an organic source of nitrogen and is often used in serum-free medium. The
nutritional value of peptone is dependent on the amino acid content that supplies the essential nitrogen.
The starting material for peptone can range from animal to plant; these can include meat, soybean, casein,
and whey10.
Yeast Extract
Yeast extract is prepared as a water-soluble extract of autolyzed Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast cells. During
autolysis, endogenous yeast digestive enzymes break down protein content into peptides and amino acids
which can be used by bacteria as a source of nitrogen. Additionally, yeast extract provides an essential
source of water-soluble B-complex vitamins, carbohydrates, and free glutamic acid11, 12.
ADC
ADC enrichment is used in Middlebrook 7H9 media for the selective growth of mycobacteria. It is formulated
with sodium chloride, bovine albumin (fraction V), dextrose, and catalase. The addition of dextrose provides
an extra source of energy. Both the albumin and catalase have protective roles via binding free fatty acids
which may be toxic to mycobacteria and ridding the environment of toxic peroxides, respectively12.
OADC
OADC is an enrichment supplement added to Middlebrook 7H10 agar for the cultivation of mycobacteria.
This additive provides the same reagents as ADC in addition to oleic acid. Addition of OADC provides faster
and more robust growth of Mycobacterium species6, 12.

Growth Media
Sodium Pyruvate
Pyruvate is an intermediary organic acid metabolite produced as an end product of glycolysis and the
Entner-Doudoroff Pathway13. The addition of sodium pyruvate in bacterial culture media provides both an
energy source and a carbon skeleton for anabolic processes. This reagent has also been shown to provide
protection against hydrogen peroxide14.
Dextrose
Dextrose is a highly nutritious supplement used for the cultivation of fastidious organisms, older cultures,
and cultures with small inoculums. This reagent can be used as a dextrose broth/agar medium or as a
supplement within a complex or defined medium. Generally, dextrose provides bacteria with a carbon
source, and can be supplemented with 5% blood to provide additional growth factors for fastidious micro-
organisms15.
Media Supplements
The growth media recommended for some bacterial species may require the addition of components
not already available in the base medium. These components may include antibiotics, serum, blood, or
chemical supplements.
After supplements have been added to the base medium, the shelf life of the medium should be determined
on a case-by-case basis. Media containing antibiotics tend to degrade faster than base media alone. Media
containing supplements should not be frozen as this may cause certain compounds to precipitate out
of solution; media should be stored at 2°C to 8°C. For additional information regarding the preparation,
storage, or usage of specific additives, contact your local supplier or consult with the manufacturer’s
product information sheet.
Chemical Supplements
A. Trace Elements
Trace elements are micronutrients required by microorganisms in small amounts. These nutrients
are metal ions required by most microorganisms for survival as they usually function as cofactors
for essential enzymatic reactions. It is often not necessary to provide trace elements in media as
they can be present in minute amounts within the water or other media reagents. Trace elements
are, however, added to minimal media as it contains only the minimum addition of nutrients
required for microbial growth. Examples of trace elements required for bacterial nutrition include
zinc, copper, manganese, molybdenum, and cobalt3. ATCC offers a Trace Mineral Supplement
(ATCC® MD-TMS) that is based on Wolfe’s mineral solution.
B. Salts
Various salts, such as magnesium, calcium, iron, and
potassium salts, are required for bacterial growth as
they provide major elements that can function as
cofactors for certain enzymatic reactions. In addition
to the aforementioned function, calcium and iron form
major components of endospores and cytochromes,
respectively3. Furthermore, the presence of salts,
particularly sodium chloride, within a medium assists in the maintenance of osmolality. Most
bacteria require either an isotonic or hypotonic environment for optimum growth. In these
environments, water either flows in and out of the cell at equal rates or water only flows into the
cell, respectively3.

Growth Media
C. Glucose
Microbial media are often supplemented with glucose as a source of carbohydrates. In addition
to this nutritional role, glucose may also be added as a means to repress an array of inducible
enzymes in many different bacterial species. This operon repression is accomplished via the
inhibition of cyclic AMP (cAMP) synthesis. The activity of adenylate cyclase, the enzyme required
for cAMP synthesis, is blocked in the presence of glucose. In bacterial species such as Escherichia
coli, this inhibition requires the cells to use glucose as the primary energy source rather than
metabolizing poorer sources of energy3.
D. Blood
Blood is often added to growth medium to enhance the cultivation of highly fastidious microbial
species. Examples of such media include Tryptic Soy Agar and Dextrose Agar, both of which are
often supplemented with 5% defibrinated sheep blood. The enrichment of a medium with blood
supplies nutrients, such as growth factors, as well as assists in the determination of hemolytic
reactions and pigmentation12.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics can be added to bacterial culture media to select for the growth of a specific variant. This type of
medium is often used for the selection of strains that have inherent antibiotic resistance, harbor plasmids,
or are genetically engineered3. The addition of antibiotics often decreases the shelf life of a medium as
compared to the base medium. To extend the shelf life, media containing antibiotics should be stored at
2°C to 8°C in the dark.
Serum
Sera can serve as a source of growth factors, proteins, vitamins, hormones,
carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, minerals, and trace elements.
Additionally, serum can function as a pH buffer and can inactivate
proteolytic enzymes. The exact composition of sera is unknown and varies
from lot to lot, although lot-to-lot consistency has improved in recent years.
Sera from rabbit, horse, fetal bovine, and calf bovine sources are used to
support the growth of some bacterial species in culture. Many pathogens,
such as members of the genera Corynebacterium, Borrelia, Leptospira, and
Mycoplasma, require the addition of serum to support growth. Media
formulated to support these aforementioned strains are commonly
supplemented with heat-inactivated rabbit or horse serum.
Unfortunately, naturally derived products from animals, such as sera, may
contain adventitious microorganisms. All reputable suppliers routinely test their products for infectious virus
by several methods including fluorescent antibody, cytopathic effect, and hemadsorption. These products
are also screened for the standard microbial contaminants such as bacteria, fungi, and mycoplasma. To
reduce the risk of any possible contamination, ATCC recommends that all serum should be triple filtered
through 0.1 µm filters before use.
ATCC offers the following four types of animal sera:
• Fetal Bovine Serum (also known as fetal calf ) -- ATCC® No. 30-2020
• Fetal Bovine Serum qualified for embryonic stem cells -- ATCC® No. SCRR-30-2020
• Iron-supplemented Calf Bovine Serum -- ATCC® No. 30-2030
• Horse Serum -- ATCC® No. 30-2040

Growth Media
These products are rigorously tested for adventitious infective agents and sourced only from U.S.
herds. Furthermore, each lot is tested for its ability to support cell growth and is the same sera used
in ATCC labs.
A. Storage
Store sera at -20°C or colder for storage over 30 days. ATCC sera are routinely stored at -70°C. Do
not store sera at temperatures above -20°C for any length of time. Avoid repeated freeze-thaws by
dispensing and storing sera in aliquots.
B. Thawing
The following procedure is used to thaw serum:
1. Place the frozen serum in a refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C overnight.
2. Put the bottles in a 37°C water bath and gently agitate occasionally to mix the solutes that
tend to concentrate at the bottom of the bottle.
Do not keep the serum at 37°C any longer than necessary to thaw it, and do not thaw the serum
at higher temperatures. Thawing serum in a bath above 40°C without mixing may lead to the
formation of a precipitate inside the bottle.
C. Turbidity and precipitates
All sera may retain some fibrinogen. Because external factors may initiate the conversion of
fibrinogen to fibrin, flocculent material or turbidity may be observed after the serum is thawed.
The presence of this material does not alter the serum’s performance. If the presence of flocculent
material or turbidity is a concern, it can be removed by filtration through a 0.45 µm filter.
A precipitate can form in serum when incubated at 37°C or higher for prolonged periods of
time. This is often mistaken for microbial contamination. This precipitate may include crystals of
calcium phosphate, but this does not alter the performance of the serum as a supplement. Heat
inactivation of sera can also cause the formation of precipitates.
D. Heat Inactivation
Because serum is a blood component, it contains complements, which are a group of proteins
that are part of the immune response. These proteins can lead to complement-mediated cell lysis
of bacterial cells. To reduce the risk of bacterial lysis, serum used in microbial media can be heat
inactivated. Heat inactivation, however, will reduce or destroy growth factors present in the serum;
this may be detrimental to the growth of some microbial cells.
The following procedure can be used to heat-inactivate serum:
1. Thaw the serum.
2. Preheat a water bath to 56°C. Use sufficient water to immerse the bottle above the level of
serum.
3. Mix the thawed serum by gentle inversion and place it in the 56°C water bath. The temperature
of the water bath will drop.
4. When the temperature of the water bath reaches 56°C again, continue to heat for an additional
30 minutes. Mix the serum gently every 5 minutes to ensure uniform heating.
5. Remove the serum from the water bath, and cool quickly. Store the serum at -20°C or colder.

Preservation
Preservation
Most bacterial strains can be stored for many years as freeze-dried cultures (lyophilization) or at temperatures
below -130˚C (cryopreservation)⁴. There are many advantages of preservation that far outweigh the required
investment in the equipment and reagents needed to maintain living cultures. These advantages include:
• Overall safety of bacterial stocks against loss due to equipment failure or contamination by other
microbial organisms.
• Elimination of time, energy, and material costs associated with the maintenance of bacterial strains not
currently in use.
• Insurance against phenotypic drift associated with prolonged passage, due to genetic instability and/
or selective pressures.
• Creating a standard working stock that can be used for a series of experiments.
Cryopreservation
Overview
Generally, freezing a suspension of living cells may result in a decrease in viability16, 17. As the bacterial cell
suspension is cooled below the freezing point, ice crystals begin to form and the concentration of solutes
in the suspension increases. The formation of intracellular ice crystals can result in the damage of cellular
structures. This effect can be minimized if water within the cells is allowed to escape by osmosis during
the cooling process. A slow cooling rate, generally -1˚C to -10˚C per minute, facilitates this progression.
However, as the cells lose water, they shrink in size and will quickly lose viability if they surpass a minimum
threshold volume. The addition of cryoprotectant agents, such as glycerol or dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO),
will mitigate these effects18, 19. For the preservation of bacterial cultures, ATCC recommends using glycerol
as a cryoprotectant.
The standard procedure for cryopreservation is to freeze cells slowly until they reach a temperature below
-70˚C in medium that contains a cryoprotectant. Vials are then transferred to a liquid-nitrogen freezer to
maintain cultures at temperatures below -130˚C.
The recovery of cryopreserved cells requires the rapid thawing of the bacterial suspension in a 37˚C water
bath. The entire contents of the vial are then transferred to an appropriate growth medium.
There are numerous factors that can affect the viability of recovered bacterial strains. These critical
parameters can include the composition of the freeze material, the growth phase of the bacterial strain,
or the concentration of bacterial cells within the solution. To obtain optimal cell viability upon recovery,
modify the cryopreservation procedure for each bacterial strain, being sure to harvest cultures during the
late logarithmic phase of growth.
Contact ATCC for more information on the cryopreservation of bacterial strains. ATCC bacterial strains that
are frozen are commonly cryopreserved with a medium consisting of a final concentration of 10% sterile
glycerol.
Freeze Medium
Glycerol and DMSO are the most common cryoprotectant agents. ATCC predominantly recommends using
a 20% glycerol stock at a final concentration of 10%. However, if the bacterial strain is sensitive to glycerol,
a 50% DMSO stock can be used at a final concentration of 5%. In contrast, glycerol can be sterilized via
autoclavation whereas DMSO must be sterilized by filtration. Care should be used when handling any
DMSO solution as it will rapidly penetrate intact skin and may carry toxic contaminants along with it.
Preservation
Use only reagent-grade DMSO or glycerol. Store both in aliquots protected from light. ATCC offers DMSO
(ATCC® No. 4-X) that has been thoroughly tested for use, as well as TSB with 10% glycerol (ATCC® No. 20-
2200) for the cryopreservation of non-fastidious bacteria. Overall, the optimum formulations for individual
bacterial strains must be determined empirically.
Equipment
A. Cryopreservation vials
There are two materials to choose from for cryopreservation vials: glass or plastic. Glass vials are
more difficult to work with; they need to be sterilized before use, they need to be sealed with a hot
flame, and they can be difficult to open. However, they are preferred for long-term storage (many
years) of valuable cultures and are considered fail-safe once properly sealed.
If cryopreservation in glass ampoules is not possible, plastic vials can be used. Plastic vials come in
two varieties: those with an internal thread and silicone gasket, and those with an external thread.
Vials with an internal-thread were the first commercially available, but have some disadvantages
over the external-thread version. For example, while the silicone gasket provides an excellent seal,
it needs to be tightened just right; the vial will leak if the seal is too tight or too loose. For the
storage of cryopreserved stocks, ATCC uses plastic vials.
B. Controlled-rate freezing chambers
There are several means to achieve a cooling rate of -1˚C per minute. The best method involves the
use of a computer controlled, programmable electronic freezing unit (such as Thermo Scientific*
CryoMed Freezers), which rigorously maintains this rate of cooling. This is the method used
exclusively at ATCC. Such equipment is relatively expensive and absolutely necessary for only the
most sensitive strains.
A less costly approach is to place the cryopreservation vials into an insulated chamber and cool
for 24 hours in a mechanical freezer at -70˚C or colder. There are several commercially available
freezing chambers which achieve a cooling rate very close to the ideal -1˚C per minute (CoolCell®
LX; ATCC® ACS-6000). Alternatively, the vials can be placed into a polystyrene box, with 15 mm
(3/4 inch) thick walls and 1L capacity that is packed with paper, cotton wool, or foam peanuts for
insulation.
Liquid Nitrogen Freezing Storage
The ultra-low temperatures (below -130˚C) required for long-term storage can be maintained by specialized
electric freezers, or more commonly, by liquid nitrogen freezers. There are two basic types of liquid nitrogen
storage systems: immersing vials in the liquid or holding vials in the vapor phase above the liquid. The
liquid-phase system holds more nitrogen and thus requires less maintenance. However, there is always a
chance that some liquid will enter improperly sealed vials, which may then explode when retrieved. For this
reason, ATCC strongly recommends storage in vapor-phase.
Vapor-phase storage systems create a vertical temperature gradient within the liquid nitrogen container.
The temperature at the bottom of the container will be -196˚C, whereas the temperature at the top will
vary depending upon the amount of liquid nitrogen at the bottom and the length of time the container is
open. To ensure the safe storage of cells, maintain sufficient levels of liquid nitrogen in the container so that
the temperature at the top is -130˚C or colder. All storage systems should be equipped with temperature
alarms.

Preservation
Cryopreservation Procedure
The procedure below will work for most non-fastidious bacterial
strains and should be modified as needed. Additional information
on the preservation of fastidious bacterial strains can be found in
the latter segment of this chapter. Freeze medium formulations for
ATCC bacterial strains can be found on the ATCC website.
1. In preparation for freezing, grow the bacterial strain under

optimal conditions in an appropriate medium as to retain the
salient features of the strain. Bacterial strains should be grown
to late log phase.
2. When freezing bacteria, add 5 to 10% glycerol or DMSO in culture medium. Glycerol is usually prepared
in aqueous solution at double the desired final concentration for freezing. It is then mixed with an
equal amount of cell suspension.
3. Label the appropriate number of vials with the name of the bacterial strain and the date. Aliquot 1 to
1.8 mL of the bacterial suspension to each vial and seal. Seal plastic ampoules tightly with the screw
cap. Seal glass ampoules with a gas-oxygen torch, pulling the neck of the ampoule as it is rotated in
the flame.
4. Allow the cells to equilibrate in the freeze medium at room temperature for a minimum of 15 minutes
but no longer than 40. After 40 minutes, cell viability may decline if DMSO is used as the cryoprotectant.
5. Place the vials into a pre-cooled (4°C), controlled-rate freeze chamber and place the chamber
in a mechanical freezer at -70°C (or colder) for at least 24 hours. Alternately, use a pre-cooled (4°C)
programmable freezer unit set to cool the vials at -1°C per minute until a temperature below -40°C is
achieved and then set the temperature to abruptly drop to -130°C.
6. Quickly transfer the vials to liquid nitrogen or a -130°C freezer.
7. Record the location and details of the freeze.
8. After 24 hours at -130°C, remove one vial, restore the bacterial strain in culture medium, and determine
the viability and sterility.
Recovery of Cryopreserved Cells
The frozen bacterial solution needs to be warmed as rapidly as possible and then immediately transferred
to an appropriate growth medium. Some bacterial strains may take more time than normal to fully recover
from cryopreservation.
1. Prepare a culture vessel that contains at least 10 mL of the appropriate growth medium equilibrated
for both temperature and pH.
2. Remove the vial from the liquid nitrogen freezer and thaw by gentile agitation in a 37°C water bath (or
a bath set at the normal growth temperature for that bacterial strain). Thaw the strain rapidly until all
ice crystals have melted (approximately 2 minutes).
3. Remove the vial from the water bath and decontaminate it by dipping in or spraying with 70% ethanol.
Follow strict aseptic conditions in a laminar flow hood for all further manipulations.
4. Unscrew the top of the vial and transfer the entire contents to the prepared growth medium.
5. Examine the cultures after an appropriate length of time.

Preservation
Lyophilization
Overview
Freeze-drying is a process where water and other solvents are removed from a frozen product via
sublimation20. Sublimation occurs when a frozen liquid goes directly to a gaseous state without entering a
liquid phase. The freeze-drying process results in a stable, readily rehydrated product. This process consists
of three steps: pre-freezing the product to form a frozen structure, primary drying to remove most water,
and secondary drying to remove bound water.
During the initial freezing process, ice crystals begin to form and the concentration of solutes in the
suspension increases. The method used during freezing can greatly affect the ability to freeze-dry the
material. It is recommend using slow rates of cooling as this will result in the formation of vertical ice crystal
structures, thus allowing for more efficient water sublimation from the frozen product.
Freeze-dried products are hygroscopic and must be protected from moisture during storage. Additionally,
these products are sensitive to other factors including oxygen and temperature, which can significantly
decrease the shelf life. It is important to store freeze-dried material in a manner that protects the product
from exposure to moisture and oxygen, and to store the material at refrigerated temperatures (4°C).
Contact ATCC for more information on the lyophilization of bacterial strains. Most ATCC bacterial strains for
distribution are prepared as freeze-dried cultures.
Equipment
A. Lyophilization Vials
For the storage of freeze-dried organisms, ATCC uses both double-vialed glass ampoules and
stoppered serum vials. Double-vialed glass ampoules are used for the lyophilization of batch
cultures via a component freeze-dryer. Samples prepared within these vials are initially freeze-
dried in cotton-plugged inner vials, which are then sealed in outer vials under vacuum. Outer
vials are supplied with a small amount of a silica gel desiccant, which sustains a state of dryness.
Samples preserved in this fashion can be stored indefinitely.
In contrast, stoppered serum vials are used for lyophilization using the Preceptrol® method. This
particular technique was developed as a way to produce a large number of vials in a cost-effective
manner. Bacterial strains preserved in this manner are popular strains often used in quality control,
teaching, and testing. In this method, material is freeze-dried in a glass serum vial then sealed
with a rubber stopper and metal cap. Because these samples are usually distributed in serum vials
capped with butyl rubber stoppers rather than the double-vialed ampoules, they are cheaper to
produce and allow ATCC to reduce the usual fees. Samples prepared with the Preceptrol® method
have a shelf-life of approximately 5 years.
B. Lyophilization Apparatuses
There are several methods available for the lyophilization of bacteria. Two such methods employed
by ATCC include the Preceptrol® method and the use of a Component Freeze-dryer. In both freeze-
drying procedures, samples are mixed with a suitable preservative, dispensed into the appropriate
ampoule, and allowed to slowly freeze into a solid mass. Once frozen, samples are lyophilized
within a freeze-drying system (VirTis® Genesis Pilot Lyophilizer, Millrock Technology® Max85 Freeze
Dryer).

Preservation
During the primary drying phase, water is removed from the frozen product via sublimation. This is
accomplished through the use of a vacuum pump, which allows water molecules to migrate from
the frozen product and condense on a moisture trap called a condenser. For this to be possible
the temperature of the condenser must be colder than the product temperature; the difference
in these temperatures will affect the rate of sublimation. When primary drying is complete, all
residual moisture is removed by directly heating the product. During this secondary drying phase,
water must be desorbed to a residual moisture content of 1% or less. This process requires a low
pressure, low condenser temperature system. Once dried, the ampoules are properly sealed and
stored at refrigerated temperatures (4˚C).
Storage and Viability of Lyophilized Strains
To maximize the recovery of viable cells, bacterial cultures must be in optimum condition before the
lyophilization process21. Generally, the age of a culture can affect its ability to survive freeze-drying.
Bacterial cultures that are harvested from late log phase or early stationary phase have the greatest chance
for survival during low-temperature stresses. In addition to proper preparation of bacterial cultures, the
recovery of viable cells may also be affected by the use of appropriate growth conditions and media during
reconstitution22. Nutritive, non-selective growth media best aids in maximizing recovery23.
Because lyophilized products are hygroscopic, they must be stored under moisture-free conditions.
Exogenous factors such as oxygen content and storage temperature can affect the shelf-life of freeze-dried
strains. Oxygen can negatively react with the product, affecting culture viability, and is directly proportional
to storage temperature. Therefore, long-term storage of lyophilized products should be kept at refrigerated
temperatures (4˚C) under conditions that protect the sample from exposure to moisture or oxygen.
Lyophilization Procedure
A. Component Freeze-dryer
1. Wash inner vials (Glass Vials, Inc., 11.5 x 35 mm) and
stopper with an oil-free cotton plug. Subsequently,
label each vial and autoclave.
2. Prepare outer vials (Glass Vials, Inc., 14.25 x 85.0
mm) by placing a small amount of silica gel granules
(Fisher Scientific, grade 42, 6-16 mesh) in the vials to
cover about half the bottom. Add a small cotton wad
to cushion the inner vial. Heat this overnight at 100˚C.
3. Prepare the bacterial strain under optimal conditions
in an appropriate medium as to retain the salient
features of the strain. Bacterial strains should be grown to late log phase.
4. Suspend cells in Reagent 20 (ATCC medium formulation 9520) and mix thoroughly. Dispense
0.2 mL of this suspension into each inner vial. Replace the cotton plug and trim it so that it is
flush with the edge of the vial.
5. Next, place the inner vials in a stainless steel pan and slowly freeze the sample.
6. Once frozen, lyophilize the samples for 18 hours within a freeze-dryer. Before use, the
condenser should be pre-chilled and the system evacuated to below 30 µm of Hg.
7. When the lyophilization cycle is complete, remove the inner vials from the freeze-dryer and
insert them into the prepared outer vials. Tamp a ¼ inch plug of fiber paper above the cotton-
plugged inner vial. This should be performed in a dry cabinet.

Preservation
8. Subsequently, heat the outer vial using a torch, rotating the vial until the glass just above the
fiber paper begins to constrict. This should create a narrow capillary tube. Once the glass cools,
attach the vial to a port of a manifold. Evacuate the system to less than 50 µm of Hg.
9. Seal the vials at the site of the capillary using a torch. Store vials at 4˚C. After 24 hours, restore
the bacterial strain in culture medium, and determine the viability and sterility.
B. Preceptrol® Method
1. Label 2 mL serum vials (Wheaton Scientific). Place these vials into a tray, cover with a 6 ½ inch
diameter filter and aluminum foil, and bake at 180˚C for four hours. Meanwhile, autoclave the
slotted butyl rubber stoppers (West).
2. Prepare the bacterial strain under optimal conditions in an appropriate medium as to retain
the salient features of the strain. Bacterial strains should be grown to late log phase.
3. Suspend the cells in Reagent 18:
• 0.75 g Trypticase Soy Broth
• 10.0 g Sucrose
• 5.0 g Bovine Serum Albumin Fraction V
• 100 mL Distilled water
• Filter-sterilize through a 0.2 µm filter.
4. Dispense 0.4 mL of the suspension into each vial and gently place a sterile stopper on each
vial. Do not fully push stoppers in as vapor must be allowed to escape.
5. Next, slowly freeze the sample in a mechanical freezer.
6. Once the samples are frozen, cover the vials with sterile cotton, ½ to 1 inch thick. Then,
lyophilize the samples for 18 hours within a freeze-drying system. Before use, the condenser
should be pre-chilled and the system evacuated to below 100 µm of Hg.
7. When the lyophilization cycle is complete, remove the vials from the freeze-dryer and
spray thoroughly with a disinfectant such as Amphyl® (Sterling Drug, Inc.). Place vials under
ultraviolet light in a biological safety cabinet for at least 30 minutes.
8. Seal the vials with aluminum caps (Wheaton) and store at 4˚C. After 24 hours, restore the
bacterial strain in culture medium, and determine the viability and sterility.
Recovery of Lyophilized Cells
1. To rehydrate freeze-dried strains, add 0.3 to 0.4 mL of broth.
2. Mix well and transfer to a tube containing 5 to 6 mL of broth medium.
3. A few drops of this suspension may also be added to an agar slant or place. Growth medium should
be chosen to maximize the recovery of cells. The optimum medium is listed for each strain in the ATCC
Catalogue of Bacteria and Bacteriophages.
4. Incubate strains under the appropriate temperature and atmospheric conditions.
Preservation of Fastidious Bacteria

Most bacterial strains can be freeze-dried, and almost all strains can be cryopreserved and maintained
in liquid nitrogen vapor. In preparation for cryopreservation or lyophilization, bacterial strains should be
grown under optimal conditions. This can include growth on agar, in shaken broth cultures, or in static
broth cultures. Additional care must be taken when preparing fastidious bacterial species for preservation.

Preservation
Anaerobes
To properly preserve anaerobic bacteria, anaerobic conditions must be maintained during growth,
harvesting, dispensing, and freezing. The cryoprotectant and suspending medium must be pre-reduced,
and anaerobic conditions should be maintained with oxygen-free gas flow using a sterile cannula.
Bacteriophages
Most bacteriophages can be freeze-dried successfully; exceptions are stored in liquid nitrogen24, 25. Prior
to preservation, bacteriophages can be propagated in a soft agar layer or in broth; a titer of 108 pfu/mL is
desirable. Bacteriophages can be cryopreserved in the absence of a cryoprotectant, performed under a
controlled freezing rate. However, bacteriophages that require a cryoprotectant can be mixed with an equal
volume of 20% glycerol. To freeze-dry, filtered bacteriophage suspensions should be mixed with 20% skim
milk and lyophilized according to the component freeze-dryer method.
Mollicutes
Prior to cryopreservation or lyophilization, mollicutes should be grown in broth. Following growth, cell
suspensions should be centrifuged and resuspended in equal amounts of broth and 20% glycerol.
Alternatively, cells can be resuspended in equal amounts of broth and 24% sucrose for lyophilization in the
component freeze-dryer method26.
Neisseria, Haemophilus, Campylobacter, and Helicobacter
These genera of bacteria are very sensitive to damage during preservation27. To maximize cell viability and
recovery, cells should be grown under optimal conditions and harvested at the proper point in the growth
curve. To stabilize these strains during lyophilization, supplement the suspending medium with 0.5%
sodium ascorbate prior to freezing.
Spirochetes
Spirochetes are very difficult to lyophilize. It is recommended that spirochetes be cryopreserved with 10%
glycerol and stored in liquid nitrogen vapor28.
Special Hazards
Care must be taken during the cryopreservation or lyophilization of bacterial strains. Problems such as
contamination, breakage of glass ampoules during handling and storage, dispersal of freeze-dried bacteria
when opening glass ampoules, and the handling of liquid nitrogen must all be considered. To prevent
contamination and the dispersal of bacteria, aseptic technique must be followed. This can include the
decontamination of all equipment and vials as well as performing all preparations in a biological safety
cabinet. Additionally, protective clothing should be worn during preparation to prevent contamination as
well as to guard against harm due to contact with liquid nitrogen.

Biosafety and Disposal
Biosafety and Disposal
Biosafety
The need for precautions when experimenting with bacterial cultures depends upon the source and nature
of the biological material, the experimental procedure, and the laboratory/containment conditions. Since
every situation is different, the risks need to be identified for each individual strain and the appropriate
precautions need to be taken before any work begins.
More information on risk assessment and precautions can be found in the Center for Disease Control
(CDC) publication Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories29. The text of this publication is
available in its entirety on the CDC website at www.cdc.gov.
ATCC assigns a biosafety level (BSL) to each bacterial strain for the purposes of packaging for safe shipment.
ATCC follows federal biosafety guidelines and takes several factors into consideration when assessing a
potential hazard, and in some cases the ATCC assigned biosafety level is more restrictive. Generally, ATCC
only ships and stores bacterial strains with a biosafety level assignment of 1, 2, or 3.
Biosafety Level 1
• Work involving well-characterized bacterial strains not known to consistently cause disease in
immunocompetent adult humans.
• Work can be conducted on the bench top using aseptic technique, no special containment equipment
or facility is required.
Biosafety Level 2
• Work involving bacterial strains that pose a moderate hazard to healthy adult humans.
• Work should be conducted in designated biological safety cabinets within laboratories with restricted
access.
Biosafety Level 3
• Work involving indigenous or exotic agents that may cause serious or potentially lethal disease via
inhalation.
• Work should be conducted in biological safety cabinets localized inside a specialized BSL-3 containment
facility within laboratories with restricted access.
As the recipient of a bacterial strain, take into account not only the nature of the material but also the
manipulations employed during its handling when assessing the potential laboratory risk. Keep in mind
that there will be situations where the intended use of an agent may require more stringent precautions
than associated with the assigned biosafety level29.
Disposal of Infectious Materials

All bacterial cultures, stocks, and potentially infectious materials need to be properly decontaminated prior
to disposal. The written method for proper decontamination should be available in the laboratory and
BSL facility. Several methods of sterilization include autoclavation, chemical disinfection, incineration, or
any other validated decontamination method. More information on the disposal of bacterial cultures can
be found in the Center for Disease Control (CDC) publication Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical
Laboratories29.

Bacterial Authentication
When preparing a bacterial strain for distribution, ATCC performs numerous quality control (QC) assays to
guarantee that the product is of the highest standard before it reaches the consumer. All bacterial strains
undergo thorough phenotypic and genotypic examinations to ensure that strain identification is accurate,
the culture is pure, and that all biochemical results are consistent. To assist in maintaining these standards,
all equipment and biochemical tests required in the QC process are similarly evaluated for quality assurance.
Described below are several tests that ATCC commonly performs on bacterial strains during QC analysis.
Phenotypic Characterization
When bacterial strains are initially received by ATCC, they are analyzed
for characteristic colony and bacterial morphology; this is observed via
colony growth and Gram staining, respectively. Additionally, samples
are tested for culture purity on blood agar plates. The presence of more
than one colony type is often, but not always, indicative of a mixed
culture.
In addition to purity and morphology, strains are also examined
for consistency in sugar metabolism, antibiotic susceptibility, and/
or broad-spectrum biochemical reactivity. To confirm the bacterial
species identity based on these associated phenotypic traits, ATCC commonly uses appropriate API® strip
tests and Vitek® cards. Both aforementioned techniques employ over 20 different biochemical tests in
reaction cells to assess the growth and viability of the bacterial strain30. The API® strip test characterizes
bacterial identity through a manual, micro-method that generates a seven-digit code based upon the
reaction of the individual biochemical assays. This generated code is the identifier number linked to a
specific bacterial species. In contrast, the Vitek® system provides an automated, computer-based method of
species identification via the measurement of light attenuation associated with each biochemical reaction30, 31.
For this latter system, ATCC requires a ≥ 90% probability of organism identification.
Genotypic and Proteotypic Characterization

ATCC genotypically confirms bacterial species primarily through 16S
ribosomal RNA (rRNA) sequencing. These sequences are commonly
used to analyze bacterial phylogeny and taxonomy as they are highly
conserved and universal among prokaryotic species. In general, the
16S rRNA gene sequence is composed of both variable and conserved
regions, the comparison of these sequences can allow for differentiation
at least to the genus level32, 33. A secondary approach is ribotyping,
which involves the comparative analysis of discrete-sized genome
fragments generated by restriction digestion of rRNA operons34, 35.
Another method of prokaryotic identification is through matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-
of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), which is a proteotypic method that identifies proteins using
peptide mass matching36. Here, the mass-spectral pattern of intact prokaryotic cells is obtained through
the analysis of ionized components, creating a unique spectrum that represents the protein profile of each
sample. These spectral patterns are then compared to a database of stored profiles from known organisms,
allowing for the quick and accurate identification of a species.

Bacterial Applications
For centuries, bacterial strains have been used for the production of consumable products via fermentation.
In recent years, bacteria have also been commercialized for use in quality control and the production of
probiotics, antibiotics, vitamins, organic acids, and biofuel. Below, we further describe various bacterial
applications.
Quality Control
In the production of consumable products, it is essential that effective microbiological testing is performed
to ensure the absence of contamination. The safety, reputation, and business performance of all processing
companies depends on effective quality control. Strains used for quality control must have confirmed
identity, viability, and purity that are backed by meticulous laboratory procedures that minimize sub-
culturing. Since 1925, ATCC has been a leading provider of QC bacterial strains and has set the standard
for authenticating and distributing biological materials for research and product testing. All bacterial
strains authenticated and provided by ATCC have gone through both rigorous phenotypic and genotypic
characterization; these procedures are described in detail in the previous chapter, “Bacterial Authentication”.
Consumable Products
Bacterial strains are commonly used in the production of various fermented food products including
vinegar, pickled goods, or an assortment of dairy products. These consumable products are generated
by the fermentation of compounds such as lactose or ethanol into lactic- or acetic-acid, respectively. For
example, in the production of cheese and yogurt, Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, and Bifidobacterium species
are commonly used for lactose fermentation. The subsequent formation of lactic acid results in a change in
both the texture and flavor of the milk product. In contrast, vinegar generation requires the fermentation
of ethanol by Acetobacter species, resulting in an aromatic, tangy product. Overall, as compared to many
non-fermented foodstuffs, these aforementioned products are often less susceptible to spoilage and may
provide additional health benefits such as improved digestion.
Probiotics
Probiotic bacterial species are thought to be beneficial to the host organism. When administered in
adequate amounts, these live strains can promote healthy digestion, absorption, and a reduction in the
number of enteric pathogens37. Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species are the most commonly used
probiotic bacterial strains and are often provided within fermented foods such as yogurt. Species within
these genera have been found to naturally synthesize antibiotics, vitamins, and amino acids. Additionally,
these microbes promote favorable pH levels and the absorption of nutrients including calcium, magnesium,
and iron. Overall, the antimicrobial properties and health benefits associated with probiotic strains can
promote proper bowel function and assist in the treatment of various conditions including gastroenteritis,
colitis, and irritable bowel syndrome.
Vitamins
Many bacterial strains produce several B- and K-complex vitamins to aid in a variety of metabolic processes
including DNA synthesis and the catabolism of fats, carbohydrates, or proteins. Human intestinal bacteria,
for example, are known to synthesize vitamin K1, biotin (B7), folic acid (B9), niacinamide (B3), cobalamin
(B12), riboflavin (B2), pantothenic acid (B5), and thiamine (B1). Many of these bacterial-produced vitamins
are used in humans as coenzymes or cofactors and are considerably essential for proper metabolism. In

particular, vitamin K is necessary for the formation of several blood-clotting factors in the liver. In contrast,
both pantothenic acid and biotin function as coenzymes in carbohydrate oxidation and carboxylation
reactions, respectively.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are compounds used to either destroy or impede the growth of bacterial or fungal microorganisms
via a variety of mechanisms such as the inhibition of protein or DNA synthesis. Many currently known
antibiotics are produced by members of the bacterial class Actinomycetes; in particular, by members of the
genus Streptomyces. Streptomyces species are filamentous soil bacteria that produce antibiotics through
secondary metabolite pathways using various precursors such as amino acids, small fatty acids, sugars, and
nucleic acids38. Bacterial strains are believed to produce antibiotics as a means to diminish or eradicate the
growth of other invading species that may be either harmful or in competition for a similar food source.
Within human society, antibiotic production is critical for the treatment of infectious diseases and is often
used agriculturally in the biological control of plant pathogenic microorganisms39.
Organic Acids
Various organic acids, such as citric, lactic, succinic, and gluconic acid, can be produced by bacterial species
as a metabolic byproduct. Citric acid, for example, is a byproduct of the Citric Acid Cycle and is therefore
important in metabolism. In contrast, the production of lactic acid often occurs as an end product to
lactose fermentation. Organic acids are applicable for a variety of purposes including food preservation,
emulsification, and flavoring. They have also been used in a more industrial function within buffer solutions,
detergents, cosmetics, and rust removers.
Biofuels
Currently most of our energy is supplied through petroleum, coal, and natural gas deposits. These sources
of energy, however, are both finite and non-renewable. Recently, efforts have been made to generate
sustainable energy via the production of biofuels from commercially available products such as corn and
sugar cane. However, these novel sources of energy require food to be used as fuel rather than for human
sustenance. To resolve these aforementioned issues, current biofuel research is focusing on the use of
bacteria in the catabolism of cellulose into desired hydrocarbon fuel compounds. The goal is to engineer
bacterial strains that have metabolic pathways that can generate biofuels through the degradation of
biowastes or weeds, thus creating a sustainable form of energy without diminishing the food supply.
Reporter-Labeled Strains
Fluorescence- and luminescence-based reporter-labeled strains have a diverse array of applications in
the basic and applied sciences, including microbial quantification and detection, the analysis of host-
pathogen interactions, drug discovery, and food testing. For example, these strains provide a unique tool
for analyzing the invasion, colonization, localization, and pathogen load of a specific bacterial pathogen
within host cells and tissues under different physiological conditions or stages in an infection cycle. Further,
this ability to easily visualize and quantify bacteria allows for an efficient means of screening a large number
of antimicrobial therapeutics and determining the growth inhibitory dose. Overall, these studies could
significantly contribute to the knowledge of microbial pathogenesis, with significant implications in the
development and evaluation of novel therapeutics and quality control assays.

Glossary
Glossary
Aerobe. Organisms that require oxygen for survival. Bacterial aerobes use oxygen as the terminal electron
acceptor during respiration.
Aerotolerant anaerobes. Organisms that cannot use oxygen, nor are affected by its presence.
Anaerobes. Organisms that do not require oxygen for survival. These organisms use inorganic compounds
as the terminal electron acceptor during respiration.
Complex medium. An undefined medium containing unknown quantities of reagents. These media contain
complex ingredients, such as yeast extract and peptone, which contain a combination of compounds in
unknown proportions.
Cryopreservation. Ultra-low temperature storage of cells, tissues, embryos, or seeds. This storage is usually
carried out using temperatures below -100˚C.
Defibrinated blood. Whole blood from which fibrin has been separated during the clotting process.
Defined medium. Media with known proportions of all reagents. These media consist of a defined carbon
and nitrogen source.
Desiccant. A hygroscopic substance that induces or sustains a state of dryness in its local vicinity in a sealed
container.
Desorption. The phenomenon where a substance is released from or through a surface.
Enrichment medium. These media contain the nutrients required to support the growth of a wide array
of microorganisms.
Facultative anaerobe. An organism that can survive in the presence and absence of oxygen. If given the
choice, these organisms prefer the use of oxygen as it has the highest reduction potential of all terminal
electron acceptors.
Fastidious. Having to do with microorganisms that have complex nutritional needs and require growth on
enriched media.
Hypotonic. An environment where the water concentration is greater and solute concentration is lower on
the outside of a cell. In this environment, water flows into the cell.
Isotonic. An environment where both the water and solute concentrations are the same on the inside and
outside of a cell. In this environment, water flows in and out of a cell at an equal rate.
Lyophilization. A process which extracts water molecules from microbial cultures so that products remain
stable and easy to store. This storage is usually carried out under low-oxygen, low-moisture conditions at
4˚C.
Mesophile. An organism that grows best at moderate temperatures, between 25°C to 40°C.
Microaerophile. An organism that requires oxygen for respiration, however in lower levels than found in
the atmosphere.
Obligate anaerobe. An organism that cannot survive and are often killed by the presence of oxygen.

Glossary
Osmolarity. The concentration of a solution in terms of osmoles. Osmosis is the diffusion of water across
a membrane from an area of higher water concentration (lower solute concentration) to lower water
concentration (higher solute concentration).
Psychrophile. An extremophilic organism that is capable of growth in cold temperatures ranging from 0°C
to 20°C.
Ribotyping. A method of identification involving the fingerprinting of genomic DNA restriction fragments.
Selective medium. Media used for the growth of specific microorganisms. These media are often
supplemented with reagents, such as antibiotics, that prevent the growth of other microorganisms.
Thermophile. An extremophilic organism that thrives a high temperatures ranging from 45°C to 122°C.

References
References
1. Garrity G.M. ed., et al. Bergey’s Manual of Systematic Bacteriology 2nd Edition. Springer, New York, 2001-
2012.
2. Adams M.H. Bacteriophages. Interscience Publishers, Inc., New York, 1959.
3. Todar K. Todar’s Online Textbook of Bacteriology. Copyright; Madison, WI, 2008-2012.
4. Reddy CA. Methods for general and molecular microbiology, 3rd Edition. ASM Press, Washington, D.C.,
2007.
5. Bauer A.W., et al. Antibiotic susceptibility testing by a standardized single disk method. Am J Clin Pathol
45(4): 493-496, 1966.
6. Middlebrook G., Cohn M.L. Bacteriology of tuberculosis: laboratory methods. Am J Public Health Nations
Health. 48(7): 844-853, 1958.
7. Khan J.A., et al. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide metabolism as an attractive target for drug
discovery. Expert Opin Ther Targets. 11(5): 695-705, 2007.
8. Wilkinson A., Day J., Bowater R. Bacterial DNA ligases. Mol Microbiol. 40(6): 1241-1248, 2001.
9. Moir J.W. Nitrogen cycling in bacteria: Molecular analysis. Caister Academic Press, York, UK, 2011.
10. The United States Pharmacopeial Convention. The United States Pharmacopeia 31-The national formulary
26. The United States Pharmacopeial Convention, Inc., Rockville, MD, 2008.
11. United States Food and Drug Administration. Bacteriological Analytical Manual Edition 8. Gaithersburg,
MD, 1998.
12. BD Diagnositcs. Difco™ & BBL™ Manual, Manual of Microbiological Culture Media Second Edition.
Copyright by Becton Dickinson and Company, Sparks, Maryland, 2009.
13. Entner N., Doudoroff M. Glucose and gluconic acid oxidation of Pseudomonas saccharophila. J Bio Chem
196(2): 853-862, 1952.
14. Giandomenico A.R., et al. The importance of sodium pyruvate in assessing damage produced by
hydrogen peroxide. Free Radic Biol Med 23(3): 426-434, 1997.
15. Versalovic J., ed. Manual of Clinical Microbiology 10th Edition. American Society for Microbiology,
Washington D.C., 2011.
16. Mazur P. The role of intracellular freezing in the death of cells cooled at supraoptimal rates. Cryobiology
14: 251-272, 1977.
17. Mazur P. Cryobiology: The freezing of biological systems. Science 168: 939-948, 1970.
18. Fahy G.M. The relevance of cryoprotectant “toxicity” to cryobiology. Cryobiology 23: 1-13, 1986.
19. Meryman H.T. Cryoprotective agents. Cryobiology 8: 173-183, 1971.
20. Rowe T.W.G., Snowman J.W. Edwards Freeze-Drying Handbook. Grand Island, New York: Edwards high
Vacuum Inc., 1976.
21. Heckly R.J. Principles of preserving bacteria by freeze-drying. Dev Ind Microbiol 26: 379-395, 1985.
22. Ray B. Methods to detect stressed microorganisms. J Food Prot. 42: 346-355, 1979.
23. Miyamoto-Shinohara Y., et al. Survival rate of microbes after freeze-drying and long-term storage.
Cryobiology 41(3): 251-255, 2000.
24. Clark W.A., Klein A.. The stability of bacteriophages in long-term storage at liquid nitrogen temperatures.
Cryobiology 3: 68-75, 1966.

References
25. Clark W.A., Horneland W., Klein A.G. Attempts to freeze some bacteriophages to ultralow temperatures.
Appl Microbiol. 10: 463-465, 1962.
26. Norman M.C. Preservation of Mycoplasmatales and L-phase variants in the American Type Culture
Collection by freezing and freeze-drying. Cryobiology 10: 400-402, 1973.
27. Mills C.K., Gherna R.L. Cryopreservation studies of Campylobacter. Cryobiology 25: 148-152, 1988.
28. Alexander A.D., et al. Preservation of leptospiras by liquid nitrogen refrigeration. Int J Syst Bacteriol 22:
165-169, 1972.
29. United States Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control, and National
Institutes of Health. Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories 5th Edition. U.S. Government
Printing Office, HHS Publication No. (CDC) 21-1112, Washington D.C. 2009.
30. Janda J.M., Abbot S.L. Bacterial identification for publication: when is enough enough? J Clin Microbiol
40(6): 1887-1891, 2002.
31. Shetty N., Hill G., Ridgway G.L. The Vitek analyser for routine bacterial identification and susceptibility
testing: protocols, problems, and pitfalls. J Clin Pathol 51(4): 316-323, 1998.
32. Clarridge III J. Impact of 16S rRNA Gene Sequence Analysis for Identification of Bacteria on Clinical
Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. Clin Microbiol Rev 17(4): 840-862, 2004.
33. Janda J.M., Abbott S.L. 16S rRNA gene sequencing for bacterial identification in the diagnostic
laboratory: pluses, perils, and pitfalls. J Clin Microbiol 45(9): 2761-2761, 2007.
34. Bruce J. Automated system rapidly identifies and characterizes micro-organisms in food. Food
Technology 50: 77-78, 1996.
35. Woese C. Bacterial evolution. Microbiology Review 51: 221-271, 1987.
36. Demirev P.A., et al. Microorganism identification by mass spectrometry and protein database searches.
Anal Chem 71(14): 2732-2738, 1999.
37. Nagpal R., et al. Probiotics, their health benefits and applications for developing healthier foods: a
review. FEMS Microbiol Lett Epub ahead of print, 2012.
38. Chater K.F. Streptomyces inside-out: a new perspective on the bacteria that provide us with antibiotics.
Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci. 361: 761-768, 2006.
39. Raaijmakers J.M., Vlami M., de Souza J.T. Antibiotic production by bacterial biocontrol agents. Antonie
Van Leeuwenhoek 81(1-4): 537-547, 2002.

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BA-0415-06
© 2015 American Type Culture Collection. The

ATCC trademark and trade name, any and all
ATCC catalog numbers and any other trademarks
listed in this publication are trademarks of
American Type Culture Collection unless indicated
otherwise. CoolCell® (BioCision, LLC); VirTis® (SP
Industries, Inc.); Millrock Technology® (Millrock
Technology, Inc.); Amphyl® (Sterling Drug, Inc.);
API® and Vitek® (bioMérieux SA); RiboPrinter®
(DuPont Qualicon); GasPak™, Difco™, BBL™ and
IsoVitalex™ (Becton, Dickinson and Company).
Image of petri dishes courtesy of Norm Baker, MS,
MA, RBP, John Hopkins University.
Image of Clostridium courtesy of Med. Mic.
Sciences Cardiff Uni. MRSA image courtesy of Annie Cavanagh, Wellcome Images

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ATCC® Bacterial Culture Guide

tips and techniques for culturing bacteria and bacteriophages

Big quality in a tiny tube

Getting Started with an ATCC Bacterial Biosafety and Disposal.................................................. 25

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Opening Glass Ampoules

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Initiating Frozen Cultures

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Handling Test Tube Cultures

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These preparations may be enclosed in a thin skin of

Squirt a few drops of water

Disinfect the ampule with alcohol-dampened gauze

Strike with file or

Remove insulation and inner vial with

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Propagation of Non-Fastidious Strains

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Microbial Media Formulations

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1. In preparation for freezing, grow the bacterial strain under

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Preservation of Fastidious Bacteria

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Disposal of Infectious Materials

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Genotypic and Proteotypic Characterization

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