Columbia Agar Base
Also known as：CBA Base · Columbia Agar · CA · CAB · Columbia Blood Agar · CBA · Columbia Agar Base for Blood · Columbia Blood Agar Base
For the cultivation of fastidious microorganisms and, with the addition of blood, for the determination of haemolytic reactions; also specified in the harmonized pharmacopoeias for the detection of Clostridium species.
- Category
- Dehydrated Culture Media
- Dissolve per litre
- 42 g
- Pack sizes
- 500 g · 5 kg · 25 kg
- Certifications
- Halal
- Standard methods
- EP 2.6.13 (Clostridia)
Data updated：2026-11-07
Brand cross-reference：BD Difco Columbia Agar · Oxoid Columbia Blood Agar Base · Merck Columbia Agar（EP 2.6.13 (Clostridia)） Brand cross-reference
Overview
Columbia Agar Base is the most widely used blood agar base in clinical microbiology: nutritionally rich, with 5% sheep blood added it isolates fastidious pathogens and reveals haemolysis, and with antibiotics it becomes a range of selective blood agars. Without blood it also serves as a general-purpose medium for bacteria.
Principle
Columbia Agar was developed by Ellner and co-workers as a highly nutritious base for the cultivation of fastidious organisms.¹ Pancreatic digest of casein, peptic digest of animal tissue, pancreatic digest of heart, and yeast extract supply nitrogen, amino acids, vitamins, and growth factors. Maize starch serves as an energy source and absorbs toxic metabolites, and sodium chloride maintains the osmotic equilibrium. Supplemented with defibrinated blood, the medium supports the growth of streptococci, pneumococci, and other demanding organisms and allows clear observation of haemolytic reactions. Without blood, the medium is specified in the harmonized pharmacopoeias for the detection of Clostridium species in non-sterile products under anaerobic conditions.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 42 g of powder in 1 L of purified water. Heat with continuous stirring and bring to the boil for 1 minute. Sterilize by autoclaving at 121°C for 15 minutes. Cool to 45-50°C and, where required, aseptically add 5-10% defibrinated blood. Mix well and pour into sterile Petri plates. Test the finished medium for performance using stable, standard control cultures.
Cultural response
| Test organism | ATCC | Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Clostridium sporogenes | 19404 | good-luxuriant |
| Staphylococcus aureus | 25923 | good-luxuriant |
| Streptococcus pyogenes | 19615 | good-luxuriant |
| Streptococcus pneumoniae | 6305 | good-luxuriant |
| Escherichia coli | 25922 | good-luxuriant |
Product highlights
- Halal certified, suitable for the Malaysian, Indonesian, and Middle Eastern markets
- Manufactured to the standard formulation, 42 g per litre
- Performance verified against standard control strains before release (Clostridium sporogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Escherichia coli)
- 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
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 10: Listeria monocytogenesBAM Chapter 10Base mediumNamed in the method as：Columbia blood agar base for Oxford (OXA) and modified Oxford (MOX) agars
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 10: Listeria monocytogenes（BAM Chapter 10）: Base medium. 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 42 g per litre of deionised water; preparation and sterilisation conditions are given on the specification sheet.
03Which organisms is it suitable for?
Pathogens, Anaerobes, Aerobes, Clostridium sporogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Escherichia coli. See the cultural response table and the specification sheet.
04What are the equivalent brand products and standard methods?
Cross-reference: BD Difco Columbia Agar, Oxoid Columbia Blood Agar Base, Merck Columbia Agar. Standard methods: EP 2.6.13 (Clostridia). Formulations may differ slightly between makers; refer to the specification sheet.
05How is this product prepared?
Suspend 42 g of powder in 1 L of purified water. Heat with continuous stirring and bring to the boil for 1 minute. Sterilize by autoclaving at 121°C for 15 minutes. Cool to 45-50°C and, where required, aseptically add 5-10% defibrinated blood. Mix well and pour into sterile Petri plates. Test the finished medium for performance using stable, standard control cultures.
06How 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.
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. Ellner P. D., Stoessel C. J., Drakeford E. and Vasi F., 1966. A new culture medium for medical bacteriology. Am. J. Clin. Pathol., 45:502-504.
- 2. United States Pharmacopeia, current edition. Chapter <62> Microbiological Examination of Nonsterile Products: Tests for Specified Microorganisms, USP-NF, Rockville, MD.