title: Microplate assay for detection of bacterial contamination in tissue culture media.
abstract: In the present study, a rapid and simple colorimetric technique has been described to determine the presence of bacteria in tissue culture medium used in animal cell culture. The microplate assay is based on utilization of MTT [3(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] by bacteria resulting in formation of formazan crystals which can be measured colorimetrically. Contaminated medium, a standard gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria produce formazan from MTT which is related to the bacterial load. The assay has utility in screening tissue culture reagents to detect the presence of bacteria.
authors.affiliation: National Center for Cell Science, 85/1 Paud Road, Jopasana, Pune 411 029, India.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chakravortty
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Nanda Kumar
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D003460:Crystallization; D003470:Culture Media / Q000032:analysis*; D004340:Drug Contamination; D005562:Formazans / Q000378:metabolism; D013778:Tetrazolium Salts / Q000378:metabolism; D013844:Thiazoles / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D005562:Formazans; D013778:Tetrazolium Salts; D013844:Thiazoles; C022616:thiazolyl blue