Illustrative image only. Actual product may vary.TTC Agar Base (without TTC)
Also known as：TZC Agar Base · Kelman's TZC Medium · Kelman's TTC Medium · Tetrazolium Chloride Agar Base · Triphenyltetrazolium Chloride Agar Base
For the isolation of Ralstonia solanacearum and the differentiation of virulent and avirulent colony types, following the addition of 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride.
- Category
- Dehydrated Culture Media
- Pack sizes
- 500 g · 5 kg · 25 kg
Data updated：2026-11-06
- Storage
- Store at 10–30 °C in sealed, dry, clean conditions.
- Shelf life
- 36 months from manufacture date when stored as directed.
Overview
Principle
TTC Agar Base is the basal medium described by Kelman for the isolation of Ralstonia solanacearum, the causal agent of bacterial wilt, and for distinguishing virulent from avirulent colony types.¹ Peptone and casamino acids supply nitrogen, amino acids, and peptides, dextrose provides the carbon and energy source, and agar acts as the solidifying agent. The differential reaction depends on 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride, which is added aseptically after sterilization because it is heat-labile. The colourless tetrazolium salt is reduced by metabolically active cells to the insoluble red formazan, so that colonies develop a red colouration whose intensity reflects the degree of reduction. Virulent strains of Ralstonia solanacearum form large, irregular, fluidal colonies that are white to cream with a characteristic pink to light-red centre, while avirulent mutants form smaller, uniformly deep-red, butyrous colonies.¹ This colony appearance provides a rapid presumptive indication of virulence and is widely applied in the screening of isolates from soil, water, and plant material.²
Directions
Suspend 39 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. Avoid overheating. Cool to 45-50°C and aseptically add 5 mL of a filter-sterilized 1% (w/v) solution of 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride, to give a final concentration of 0.005% (w/v). Mix well and pour into sterile Petri plates. Test the finished medium for performance using stable, standard control cultures.
Product highlights
- 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 organisms is it suitable for?
Gram-negative, Aerobes, Plant pathogens, Soil microorganisms. See the cultural response table and the specification sheet.
02How is this product prepared?
Suspend 39 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. Avoid overheating. Cool to 45-50°C and aseptically add 5 mL of a filter-sterilized 1% (w/v) solution of 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride, to give a final concentration of 0.005% (w/v). Mix well and pour into sterile Petri plates. Test the finished medium for performance using stable, standard control cultures.
03How should it be stored, and what is the shelf life?
Store at 10–30 °C in sealed, dry, clean conditions. 36 months from manufacture date when stored as directed.
04How 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.
References
- 1. Kelman A., 1954. The relationship of pathogenicity in Pseudomonas solanacearum to colony appearance on a tetrazolium medium. Phytopathology, 44:693-695.
- 2. Schaad N. W., Jones J. B. and Chun W., 2001. Laboratory Guide for Identification of Plant Pathogenic Bacteria, 3rd Ed., APS Press, St. Paul, MN.