Alkaline peptone water is used for the enrichment of vibrio species from infectious material, food, water and other material.

Summary and Explanation

Alkaline peptone water is used for the enrichment of vibrio cholera and vibrio species from food, water feces and clinical studies. This medium has been recommended by OMS, APHA(1) and various authors to increase the recovery of vibrio species in fecal material and other samples. Clinical materials containing small numbers of Vibrio should be inoculated into an enrichment medium prior to plating onto a selective medium, such as TCBS Agar (DM253). Alkaline Peptone Water is a suitable enrichment broth for this purpose(1-3). The relatively high pH of the medium (approximately 8.4) provides a favorable environment for the growth of Vibrio’s. This medium is recommended by APHA(4) for enrichment of Vibrio species from seafood, infectious materials and other clinical specimens such as faeces.

Principles of the Procedure

Alkaline peptone water is pre-enrichment for vibrio species. Vibrio should be inoculated into an enrichment medium prior to plating onto a selective medium. Alkaline peptone water is a suitable enrichment broth for the enrichment of vibrio species.(2-4) High pH of the medium (8.4) provides a suitable environment for the growth of vibrio’s. Peptic digest of animal tissue provides nitrogenous, carbonaceous, and other important nutrients. Sodium chloride maintains osmotic equilibrium. The high pH, promotes the growth of vibrio species and suppresses the growth of microbial flora.