Nutrient Agar (BAM) is used for the cultivation of a wide variety of microorganisms in a laboratory setting. Nutrient Agar is not intended for use in the diagnosis of disease or other conditions in humans.
In the early 1900’s, the American Public Health Association (APHA) suggested the formula of Nutrient Agar as a standard culture medium used in water testing. Nutrient Agar continues to be a widely used general purpose medium for growing non-fastidious microorganisms. If required, enrichments can be added to this medium. Nutrient Agar, modified by incorporating 4-methylumbelliferyl-β-D-glucuronide (MUG), is used for fluorogenic detection of Escherichia coli.
Nutrient Agar meets APHA and Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) standard methods. Nutrient Agar is specified in many standard methods procedures for the examination of food, dairy products, water, and other materials.
