E. coli / Coliform Agar is for the simultaneous enumeration of Escherichia coli and coliforms in food and environmental samples and is not intended for use in the diagnosis of disease or other conditions in humans.
This dual chromogenic substrate medium makes the different colony types easy to distinguish allowing rapid counting of both E. coli and coliforms on a single agar.
Based upon the formulation of Tryptone Bile Agar, the medium has been modified by the addition of two chromogenic substrates, one to detect the ß-glucuronidase enzyme (X- glucuronide) and another to detect the ß-galactosidase enzyme (magenta-ß-gal). Typical E. coli strains possess both enzymes but only cleave the X-glucuronide substrate, thereby producing blue-green colonies. Typical coliforms, however, possess only the ß-galactosidase enzyme and produce rose-pink colonies.
The colony types are easily distinguishable, even in the presence of other organisms, or when large numbers are observed, making simultaneous enumeration of E. coli and coliforms a quick and simple procedure.
| Formula | Liter |
| Tryptone | 20.0 g/L |
| Bile Salt No.3 | 1.5 g/L |
| X-glucuronide | 0.075 g/L |
| Magenta-β-Galactoside | 0.1 g/L |
| Agar | 15.0 g/L |
Final pH: 7.2 ± 0.2 at 25°C
Formula may be adjusted and/or supplemented as required to meet performance specifications.
Preparation
- Suspend 36.6 grams of the medium in one liter of purified water.
- Heat with frequent agitation and boil for one minute to completely dissolve the medium.
- Autoclave for 15 minutes at 121°C.
- Cool to 45-50°C.
Product was previously known as LabM Product: HAL008 Harlequin® E.coli/Coliform Medium
Order Details
| Product # | Product Description |
| NCM1002A | Harlequin E. coli/Coliform Agar, 500 g |
| NCM1002B | Harlequin E. coli/Coliform Agar, 5 kg |
| NCM1002C | Harlequin E. coli/Coliform Agar, 10 kg |
| NCM1002D | Harlequin E. coli/Coliform Agar, 25 kg (European only size) |
| NCM1002E | Harlequin E. coli/Coliform Agar, 50 kg (US only size) |
Reference Material
NCM1002 - Harlequin E. coli-Coliform Agar, Safety Data Sheet [Danish] [Dutch] [English] [EU English] [Finnish] [French] [German] [Hungarian] [Italian] [Spanish, Mexico] [Swedish]
NCM1002 - Harlequin E. coli-Coliform Agar, Technical Specifications Sheet [English]
For additional information or questions about product SDS documents, please contact Neogen at SDS@neogen.com.