Neogen® Bacillus cereus Agar Base (PEMBA)

Bacillus Cereus Agar Base is used with Polymyxin B and Egg Yolk Emulsion for the isolation and presumptive identification of Bacillus cereus and is not intended for use in the diagnosis of human disease.

Holbrook and Anderson described a highly selective and diagnostic medium (PEMBA) for the isolation and determination of Bacillus cereus from food. The medium is formulated to detect small numbers of B. cereus in the presence of large number of contaminants. This medium differentiates B. cereus from other bacteria based on resistance to polymyxin, lack of mannitol fermentation, and presence of lecithinase. B. cereus can be found on vegetables, processed foods, and in nature. B. cereus causes gastrointestinal illness if the organism is allowed to proliferate. Outbreaks of foodborne illness have been associated with boiled and cooked rice, cooked meats, and cooked vegetables.