BacterPlate™ Blood Agar with Gentamycin (BAGe)

Ready-to-use medium on 90mm plates for the selective culture of Streptococcus. Differentiation of α, β, and ɤ hemolytic phenotypes.
Code: 05006
Packaging: 10 plates/ box or as per customer request.
Storage Conditions: 2–8°C.
Transportation: Ambient temperature.
Shelf Life: 03 months from the date of manufacture.

INTENDED USE

BacterPlate™ Blood Agar with Gentamycin (BAGe) is a ready-to-use selective medium designed for the isolation and differentiation of Streptococcus species. It supports the identification of hemolytic phenotypes (α, β, and ɣ hemolysis) and is particularly effective in suppressing Gram-negative contaminants. This medium is ideal for clinical microbiology laboratories focused on targeted detection of Streptococcus in diagnostic workflows.
The packaging with semi-permeable Cellophane film helps balance the humidity of the environment during storage.

PRINCIPLES

The BAGe medium is composed of:
- Gentamycin: Acts as a selective agent, inhibiting the growth of Gram-negative bacteria while allowing Streptococcus species to thrive.
- Defibrinated Blood: Provides heme (X factor) essential for bacterial growth and hemolytic activity differentiation.
- Enriched Nutrients: Supports robust growth of Staphylococcus and Streptococcus
This selective formulation enables clear visualization and differentiation of α, β, and ɣ hemolytic reactions, streamlining diagnostic workflows.

Allow the agar plates to reach room temperature. Dry the plates in an incubator by slightly opening the lid.
Inoculate in order to obtain isolated colonies.
Incubate the inoculated plates under aerobic conditions at 35–37°C with 5–10% CO₂for 18–24 hours. Extend the incubation time if necessary.

RESULTS

Observe the bacterial growth.

Beta hemolysis
- Streptococci belonging to Lancefield group A appear as small, grey colonies, translucid or opaque, surrounded by a zone of beta hemolysis. Other bacteria may present the same type of hemolysis: Listeria, hemolytic Staphylococci, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas.
- Staphylococci appear as opaque, yellow-gold or white colonies, with or without type β hemolysis zones.
- Listeria present small zones of beta hemolysis.
- Bacillus cereus form a clear zone surrounding the colonies.
Alpha hemolysis
- Pneumococci appear as flat, shiny, grey and occasionally mucoid colonies surrounded by a zone of narrow, greenish hemolysis referred to as alpha hemolysis.
CAMP Factor
- Group B Streptococci produce an extracellular, thermoresistant substance (CAMP Factor) which provokes a triangle of total hemolysis in a zone of incomplete staphylococcal hemolysis, at the junction of the two cultures.

BacterLab ensures the quality of each product batch by testing with ATCC reference strains.

Reference strains	Incubation Conditions	Standard (P_R)
S. pneumonia ATCC 49619	Incubate for 18 – 24 hours, at 35 – 37°C, 5 – 10% CO₂	Good growth, α-hemolytic bacteria
S. agalatiae ATCC 12386		Good growth, β-hemolytic bacteria
S. aureus ATCC 25923		Inhibited
E. coli ATCC 35218		Inhibited