Fluid Thioglycollate Medium
Also known as：FTM / FTG · FTM · Thioglycollate Fluid Medium · Thioglycollate Medium · Fluid Thioglycollate Broth · Thioglycolate Medium
For the sterility testing of pharmaceutical products and for the cultivation of anaerobic and aerobic bacteria, in accordance with the harmonized pharmacopoeias.
- Category
- Dehydrated Culture Media
- Dissolve per litre
- 29.25 g
- Pack sizes
- 500 g · 5 kg · 25 kg
- Certifications
- ISO 22000 · Halal
Data updated：2026-11-06
Brand cross-reference：BD Difco Fluid Thioglycollate Medium · Oxoid Fluid Thioglycollate Medium · Merck Thioglycollate Fluid Medium（USP <71>、EP 2.6.1） Brand cross-reference
Overview
Fluid Thioglycollate Medium (FTM) is one of the two media specified for pharmacopoeial sterility testing, for detecting anaerobic as well as aerobic bacteria. Sodium thioglycollate and L-cystine lower the redox potential and a small amount of agar limits oxygen diffusion, giving an oxidised upper zone over an anaerobic lower zone; the resazurin indicator turns pink when oxidised, showing at a glance whether the medium is still fit for use. Used in volume for release testing of pharmaceuticals, medical devices and sterile products.
Principle
Fluid Thioglycollate Medium derives from the formulation of Brewer, who showed that a small amount of agar and a reducing agent allow anaerobic bacteria to grow in tubes exposed to air.¹ Pancreatic digest of casein and yeast extract supply nitrogen, amino acids, vitamins, and growth factors, glucose provides the carbon and energy source, and sodium chloride maintains the osmotic equilibrium. L-Cystine and sodium thioglycollate lower the oxidation-reduction potential of the medium, and sodium thioglycollate also neutralises the bacteriostatic effect of mercurial preservatives present in some products. The low agar concentration slows the diffusion of oxygen, creating a gradient from an aerobic upper layer to anaerobic conditions in the depth of the tube. Resazurin acts as an oxidation-reduction indicator and turns pink in the oxidised upper zone. Aerobic organisms grow near the surface and anaerobic organisms in the lower part of the medium. The medium is specified in the harmonized pharmacopoeias, together with Soybean-Casein Digest Medium, for the sterility testing of pharmaceutical products.²
Media for anaerobes and fastidious organisms
Anaerobes and fastidious organisms require media containing reducing agents, blood, or infusion components, together with an anaerobic incubation environment. Some formulations need heat-labile supplements such as blood, serum, or antibiotics added after sterilisation; follow the preparation instructions for the timing and method.
Directions
Suspend 29.25 g of powder in 1 L of purified water. Heat with continuous stirring and bring to the boil for 1 minute. Dispense into suitable tubes or containers. Sterilize by autoclaving at 121°C for 15 minutes. Cool rapidly and store at 2-25°C. Test the finished medium for performance using stable, standard control cultures.
Cultural response
| Test organism | ATCC | Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Staphylococcus aureus | 6538 | good-luxuriant |
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa | 9027 | good-luxuriant |
| Clostridium sporogenes | 19404 | good-luxuriant |
Product highlights
- Food-grade raw materials, produced in an ISO 22000 certified facility
- Halal certified, suitable for the Malaysian, Indonesian, and Middle Eastern markets
- Manufactured to the standard formulation, 29.25 g per litre
- Performance verified against standard control strains before release (Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Clostridium sporogenes)
- Available in 500 g / 5 kg / 25 kg, from laboratory to industrial scale
- COA, specification sheet, and technical data sheet available; samples on request
- Manufactured in Taiwan with reliable supply
Food grade versus laboratory grade
Most culture media suppliers use laboratory-grade raw materials, which are held to lower standards for heavy metal residues, microbial contamination control, and traceability. That is adequate for pure research but not for applications with stricter raw-material requirements. STBIO manufactures with food-grade raw materials throughout, in a facility certified to ISO 22000 food safety management.
- Food microbiology laboratories working to ISO 17025 or equivalent requirements
- Biotech manufacturers exporting fermentation products and needing full raw-material traceability
- Organisations with ESG or compliance audit requirements across their supply chain
- Companies sourcing both Halal and non-Halal products who need one consistent material grade
FDA BAM methods
This product corresponds to a medium used in the chapters of the US FDA Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM), the reference methods for FDA regulatory testing. Follow the current online edition of each chapter.
- FDA BAM Chapter 16: Clostridium perfringensBAM Chapter 16Confirmation / biochemicalNamed in the method as：Fluid thioglycollate medium (FTG)
BAM specifies methods and media formulations; it does not certify brands. Add supplements as the chapter requires, and verify media against reference strains under your quality system.
Frequently asked questions
01Does this medium meet FDA BAM methods?
BAM specifies methods and formulations, not brands. This product corresponds to a medium used in: FDA BAM Chapter 16: Clostridium perfringens（BAM Chapter 16）: Confirmation / biochemical. It is manufactured to the standard formulation and ships with a COA per batch; add supplements as the chapter requires and follow the current online edition.
02How much powder per litre?
Use 29.25 g per litre of deionised water; preparation and sterilisation conditions are given on the specification sheet.
03Which organisms is it suitable for?
Anaerobes, Aerobes, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Clostridium sporogenes. See the cultural response table and the specification sheet.
04What are the equivalent brand products and standard methods?
Cross-reference: BD Difco Fluid Thioglycollate Medium, Oxoid Fluid Thioglycollate Medium, Merck Thioglycollate Fluid Medium. Standard methods: USP <71>, EP 2.6.1. Formulations may differ slightly between makers; refer to the specification sheet.
05Can it be used for food-grade applications?
Yes. It is made from food-grade raw materials in an ISO 22000 certified facility and is suitable for culturing starters for fermented products that are consumed directly.
06How is this product prepared?
Suspend 29.25 g of powder in 1 L of purified water. Heat with continuous stirring and bring to the boil for 1 minute. Dispense into suitable tubes or containers. Sterilize by autoclaving at 121°C for 15 minutes. Cool rapidly and store at 2-25°C. Test the finished medium for performance using stable, standard control cultures.
07How do I request a bulk quotation, and can you provide a COA?
Yes. This product is available in 500 g, 5 kg, 25 kg. Tell us your application and volume when requesting a quotation; we reply within one working day and can supply the COA, specification sheet, and technical data sheet.
Used in these applications
Further reading
- FDA BAM Culture Media Cross-Reference: Which Media Each BAM Chapter Uses and the STBIO EquivalentAerobic plate count, coliforms and E. coli, Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Vibrio, Clostridium perfringens, yeasts and moulds and Cronobacter: the media named in each FDA Bacteriological Analytical Manual chapter, matched to Taiwan-made dehydrated media for US laboratories qualifying a second source.
- Which Culture Media Do Taiwan FDA Food Microbiology Methods Specify? Cross-Reference for 21 Announced MethodsAerobic plate count, coliforms, E. coli, Enterobacteriaceae, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, lactic acid bacteria, yeasts and moulds, Bacillus cereus, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Clostridium perfringens and Cronobacter: the media named in each Taiwan FDA (TFDA) announced method, matched to Taiwan-made products.
References
- 1. Brewer J. H., 1940. Clear liquid mediums for the "aerobic" cultivation of anaerobes. J. Am. Med. Assoc., 115:598-600.
- 2. United States Pharmacopeia, current edition. Chapter <71> Sterility Tests, USP-NF, Rockville, MD.