Brain Heart Infusion (BHI) Broth

Brain heart infusion broth is very nutritious isotonic medium with a low concentration of glucose to stimulate early growth.

The formulation is a modification of that from Rosenow and Hayden.

Brain heart infusion broth is suitable for the isolation of most micro-organisms including many fastidious organisms and, with the appropriate enrichment, is suitable as a base for blood culture medium.

The nitrogen, vitamin and carbon sources are supplied by the Brain-Heart infusion solids and peptone. Glucose serves as the carbohydrate source and sodium chloride aids in maintaining the osmotic balance. A phosphate buffer, disodium hydrogen phosphate, is incorporated to help neutralize any acids produced as a result of glucose utilization and thus maintain viability of the organisms.

NB: Organisms that produce large amounts of acid in the medium may overwhelm the buffering system and as a result may auto-sterilize the culture.

Suitable for the isolation of most micro-organisms including many fastidious organisms and, with the appropriate enrichment, is suitable as a base for blood culture medium.

Additional Information

Shelf Life (days): 1095 days

Storage Temp (C): 10-30C

Dehydrated Medium Appearance: Fine Powder

Prepared Medium Appearance: Liquid

Dehydrated Medium Colour: Beige

Prepared Medium Colour: Light Brown

Dehydrated PH: 7.4±0.2

Prepared PH: 7.4±0.2

Recommended Incubation: As required by organisms

Formula*g/L

Brain-heart infusion solids: 17.5

Peptone: 10.0

Glucose: 2.0

Sodium chloride: 5.0

Disodium hydrogen phosphate: 2.5

Total: 37.0

*Adjusted/supplemented as required to meet performance requirements