Gelatin is a protein source and solidifying agent for use in preparing microbiological culture media in a laboratory setting. Gelatin is not intended for use in the diagnosis of disease or other conditions in humans.
Gelatin is a protein of uniform molecular constitution derived chiefly by the hydrolysis of collagen. Collagens are a class of albuminoids found abundantly in bones, skin, tendons, cartilage and similar animal tissues. Koch introduced gelatin into bacteriology when he invented the gelatin tube method in 1875 and the plate method in 1881. This innovation, a solid culture method, became the foundation for investigating bacterial growth. Gelatin-based media were soon replaced by media containing agar as the solidifying agent.
Gelatin is used in culture media for determining gelatinolysis (elaboration of gelatinases) by bacteria. Several media containing gelatin are specified in standard methods for multiple applications.
