Anaerobic bacteriology - a need for positive anaerobic control Anaerobes are organisms that can grow without oxygen. Some can live with oxygen when it is present (facultative anaerobes) and some cannot tolerate even a trace of oxygen (strict or obligate anaerobes). They are a plentiful part of the normal human flora and make up an estimated 50% of the earth’s biota. Some obligate anaerobes cause serious infections such as tetanus and gas gangrene or botulism in canned foods. That is why fast, accurate and repeatable isolation and identification of anaerobes is a very important part of clinical diagnosis and commercial processes for food, beverages and pharmaceuticals. In microbiology, rapid growth and expanding horizons are pushing forward quality standards.
Anaerobe Systems is a manufacturing company created to meet these demands, producing the only truly Pre-Reduced Anaerobically Sterilized (PRAS) plated and tubed culture media in the USA. Founded over 30 years ago, for scientists by scientists, with hands on experience, Anaerobe Systems has taken advantage of that expertise and new scientific advances to produce practical and efficient ways to maximize anaerobic culture techniques. This unique position has established Anaerobe Systems as the leader in the field. Using a patented procedure, we prepare and package media in an oxygen-free environment from sterilization to packaging. Our product is shipped to you in anaerobic packages. Best results in recovery and propagation of anaerobes for clinical diagnosis and research are obtained when exposure of specimens to oxygen is controlled at every step. Anaerobe Systems is dedicated to preparing culture media and developing environmental systems for this purpose.
Others either prepare media in aerobic conditions but package it in oxygen-free pouches, or produce and ship plated media under non-oxygen-free conditions and expect the user to reduce it in jars and chambers. The result of either procedure is contamination by oxygen at some point in the chain. Removal of oxygen after the fact will not revive the quality of media damaged by oxidation, no matter how hard you try. The only way to achieve true anaerobic results is to prepare plates in an anaerobic environment, package them in oxygen-free packages, and then open, inoculate, incubate and examine them in an oxygen-free environment.
The benefits of such care are greatly reduced time in preparation and handling of cultures and substantially increased recovery of anaerobes. This improved productivity will be visibly apparent within 18 to 24 hours of incubation.
Anaerobe Systems also developed the AS-580 Anaerobic Chamber for use in your laboratory to maintain precise and reliable anaerobic conditions through the complete cycle. Benefits from using Anaerobe Systems PRAS media Preconditioned, Ready to Use—Save Time PRAS media are packaged and pre-reduced in oxygen-free foil envelopes requiring no preconditioning saving cumulatively many hours of lab work and anaerobic gas. Uncompromised Integrity—Insure Results Anaerobe Systems’ PRAS media are prepared entirely under oxygen-free conditions. From initial sterilization to packaging in sealed foil packages there is no chance of contamination. When opened in oxygen-free conditions you can be sure that oxidation damage can be ruled out as a variable. Optimum Recovery—Improved Productivity Oxygen-free preparation and enrichment of media produce an immediate increase in recovery of anaerobes. Failures due to oxidation damaged media will be eliminated and more rapid and prolific growth can be observed within 18 to 24 hours. Easy to Use—Save Time and Trouble Just tear open the foil envelope at the notch inside an anaerobic chamber or container and remove the plates which are ready to inoculate. Nothing could be quicker or easier. Long Shelf Life—Less Spoilage and Waste Anaerobe Systems’ patented technology allows media to be stored at room temperature and still maintain a long shelf life. Unopened tubed media may be stored at room temperature up to one year and plated media up to three months. Conveniently Packaged—Use Only What You Need Convenient packages of one plate, two plates, three plates, four plates let you select what you need, whether for a single specimen or several at a time. They’re always fresh, never wasted. Many of the most common types of media also come in combo packs for a more convenient streamlined setup. Quality Enriched—Always Better Performance All Anaerobe Systems’ media are enriched with specific growth factors to enhance propagation of anaerobes. They are packaged in sealed foil containers to maintain freshness which also increases productivity. Cost Effective—Lowest Cost Per Recovery Pre-reduced, plated media produced under Anaerobe Systems’ patented manufacturing and packaging procedures will prove to be your most cost effective method of recovering anaerobes on a per test basis. Performance pays for itself. Easy to use
Using Anaerobe Systems’ Pre-Reduced Anaerobically Sterilized plated culture media couldn’t be easier. PRAS products are available in a selection of packaging options, each one designed to make particular procedures easy. Plates come in oxygen-free sealed foil envelopes which are easily opened by tearing at the notches on the edge. This can be done easily working inside an anaerobic chamber or other adequate container to preserve the integrity of the media.
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