EMB Agar, Levine
Also known as：L-EMB · Eosin Methylene Blue Agar Levine · Levine EMB Agar · EMB Levine · Modified EMB Agar
- Category
- Dehydrated Culture Media
- Dissolve per litre
- 37.47 g
- Pack sizes
- 500 g · 5 kg · 25 kg
- Certifications
- Halal
- Standard methods
- FDA BAM
Data updated：2026-11-07
Brand cross-reference：BD Difco Levine EMB Agar · Oxoid Eosin Methylene Blue Agar (Levine) · Merck EMB Agar（FDA BAM） Brand cross-reference
Overview
EMB Agar, Levine (L-EMB) is the isolation and differential plate for Escherichia coli and coliforms: eosin and methylene blue suppress Gram-positive bacteria, lactose fermenters stain deep purple, and typical E. coli form dark-centred colonies with a green metallic sheen that are easy to pick. The Levine formulation contains lactose only (no sucrose) and is the isolation medium specified by the Taiwan FDA E. coli method and the US FDA BAM for streaking gas-positive EC broth tubes. Made from food-grade raw materials, Halal certified.
Principle
Peptic digest of animal tissue provides nitrogen, vitamins, and amino acids. Lactose is the fermentable carbohydrate, and dipotassium phosphate buffers the medium. Eosin Y and methylene blue make the medium slightly selective by inhibiting certain gram-positive bacteria, and also serve as pH indicators. Organisms that vigorously ferment lactose produce acid, which lowers the pH and causes the dyes to precipitate onto the colonies. Escherichia coli produces a characteristic green metallic sheen, while less vigorous lactose fermenters such as Enterobacter aerogenes produce dark, brown-centered colonies. Non-lactose fermenters such as Salmonella and Shigella form colorless or translucent colonies.
How selective media fit into the testing workflow
Pathogen testing normally runs in three stages: a pre-enrichment medium such as Buffered Peptone Water repairs injured cells and raises numbers, a selective enrichment then suppresses competing flora, and finally a selective differential agar isolates the target colonies. Selective agents are typically bile salts, dyes, or antibiotics; differential agents make target colonies develop a characteristic colour or morphology. Choose the combination specified by the method you follow.
Directions
Suspend 37.5 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 shake the medium to oxidize the methylene blue (restore its blue color) and to suspend the precipitate, which is an essential part of the medium. Mix well and pour into sterile Petri dishes. Test the finished medium for performance using stable, standard control cultures.
Product highlights
- Halal certified, suitable for the Malaysian, Indonesian, and Middle Eastern markets
- Manufactured to the standard formulation, 37.47 g per litre
- 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 4: Enumeration of Escherichia coli and the Coliform BacteriaBAM Chapter 4Isolation plateNamed in the method as：Levine's eosin-methylene blue (L-EMB) agar
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 4: Enumeration of Escherichia coli and the Coliform Bacteria（BAM Chapter 4）: Isolation plate. 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.
02Can selective media be autoclaved?
Not always. Some media containing dyes or selective inhibitors lose their selectivity if overheated and should only be heated until fully dissolved, without autoclaving. Follow the preparation instructions for this product, and contact us if you are unsure.
03How much powder per litre?
Use 37.47 g per litre of deionised water; preparation and sterilisation conditions are given on the specification sheet.
04What are the equivalent brand products and standard methods?
Cross-reference: BD Difco Levine EMB Agar, Oxoid Eosin Methylene Blue Agar (Levine), Merck EMB Agar. Standard methods: FDA BAM. Formulations may differ slightly between makers; refer to the specification sheet.
05How is this product prepared?
Suspend 37.5 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 shake the medium to oxidize the methylene blue (restore its blue color) and to suspend the precipitate, which is an essential part of the medium. Mix well and pour into sterile Petri dishes. 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.
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.