Fastidious Anaerobe Agar is used for the cultivation of anaerobic microorganisms and is not intended for use in the diagnosis of disease or other conditions in humans. A primary isolation medium capable of growing most clinically significant anaerobes. Developed by Lab M (Neogen® Corporation), comparisons have shown this medium to be superior to other formulations as a primary isolation medium for fastidious organisms. The peptones included have been chosen for maximum growth stimulation. Starch and sodium bicarbonate act as de-toxification agents while hemin encourages pigment production in Porphyromonas melaninogenicus. Specific growth promoting agents are Cysteine for Fusobacterium necrophorum, Propionibacterium acne and Bacteriodes fragilis, arginine for Eubacterium spp. soluble pyrophosphate for Porph. gingivalis and Porph. asaccharolyticus. Pyruvate helps neutralize hydrogen peroxide and is also utilized by Veillionella spp. as an energy source. Vitamin K and sodium succinate provide essential growth factors for some anaerobes as does the 0.1% glucose. The low level of glucose prevents the production of high levels of acids and alcohols which would inhibit colonial development.
