SOC Growth Medium
Also known as：SOC · SOC Medium · Super Optimal broth with Catabolite repression · S.O.C. Medium · SOC Broth
For the recovery of competent cells following transformation, allowing expression of plasmid-borne antibiotic-resistance markers prior to selection.
- Category
- Dehydrated Culture Media
- Dissolve per litre
- 34.1 g
- Pack sizes
- 500 g · 5 kg · 25 kg
- Certifications
- Halal
Data updated：2026-11-06
- Allergens
- Soy, Milk
Overview
SOC Growth Medium is a broth (liquid) medium, part of the LB range, the most widely used media in molecular biology for Escherichia coli and recombinant strains. It is used for post-transformation recovery to raise competent-cell transformation efficiency. STBIO manufactures it from food-grade raw materials in an ISO 22000 certified facility, with a COA for every batch. This is the Halal-certified version.
Principle
SOC Growth Medium is a nutrient-rich, low-salt medium formulated to maximize the recovery of bacterial competent cells after transformation.¹ Tryptone and yeast extract supply the nitrogen, amino acids, peptides, and vitamins required for rapid growth. Sodium chloride maintains the osmotic balance of the medium. Magnesium ions, provided by magnesium sulphate, stabilize the cell membrane and assist in the uptake of plasmid DNA.¹ Glucose acts as a readily metabolizable carbon and energy source; through catabolite repression, it establishes the metabolic conditions that allow transformed cells to repair and recover from the stress of heat-shock or electroporation.¹ During this recovery period, the cells express the antibiotic-resistance markers carried on the introduced plasmid, so that viable transformants survive when subsequently plated under selective conditions. Recovery in this medium yields higher transformation efficiencies than recovery in standard LB medium.²
Choosing a general-purpose or enumeration medium
Plate Count Agar is used for total viable counts in food, water, and environmental samples. Nutrient Broth and Tryptic Soy media are the general-purpose choices for non-fastidious bacteria, with the latter richer and also used for sterility testing and environmental monitoring. Brain Heart Infusion is the richest of the three and suits fastidious organisms such as streptococci. Use the agar form for enumeration and the broth for propagation.
Directions
Suspend 34.1 g of powder in 1 L of purified water. Mix well. Adjust the pH to 7.0 if necessary. Sterilize by autoclaving at 121°C for 15 minutes. Avoid overheating to prevent caramelization of the glucose. Cool before use.
Cultural response
| Test organism | ATCC | Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Escherichia coli | 25922 | good-luxuriant |
| Escherichia coli DH5α | — | good-luxuriant |
Product highlights
- Halal certified, suitable for the Malaysian, Indonesian, and Middle Eastern markets
- Manufactured to the standard formulation, 34.1 g per litre
- Performance verified against standard control strains before release (Escherichia coli, Escherichia coli DH5α)
- 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
Frequently asked questions
01Which medium should I use for total viable counts?
Total viable counts in food and water normally use Plate Count Agar with the pour-plate method at 30 °C. Follow the incubation conditions specified by the method you are working to.
02How much powder per litre?
Use 34.1 g per litre of deionised water; preparation and sterilisation conditions are given on the specification sheet.
03Which organisms is it suitable for?
Escherichia coli, Escherichia coli DH5α. See the cultural response table and the specification sheet.
04How is this product prepared?
Suspend 34.1 g of powder in 1 L of purified water. Mix well. Adjust the pH to 7.0 if necessary. Sterilize by autoclaving at 121°C for 15 minutes. Avoid overheating to prevent caramelization of the glucose. Cool before use.
05How 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
References
- 1. Hanahan D., 1983. Studies on transformation of Escherichia coli with plasmids. J. Mol. Biol., 166(4):557-580.
- 2. Sambrook J. and Russell D. W., 2001. Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 3rd Ed., Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, New York.