Assuring reliable performance of antibiotic assay media

The Microbiological Assay Branch of the National Center for Antibiotics Analysis assays over 100,000 samples of antibiotic products annually, using more than 1000 Ib dehydrated media. The media must be consistently dependable to produce accurate, reliable test results. To assure that the supply of media will meet the established requirements, each lot before purchase is subjected to a series of trials designed to examine growth support, sensitivity, and behavioral and physical factors. Actual antibiotic assays are conducted with the test medium, and performance is rated against a control medium. Controls on the system reduce the variables to allow appraisal of the medium itself.