Handbook of Culture Media for Food and Water Microbiology
Chapter P4: Polymyxin pyruvate Egg yolk Mannitol Bromothymol blue Agar (PEMBA)
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Published:06 Dec 2011
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Special Collection: 2011 ebook collection , 2011 ebook collection , 2011-2015 food science subject collection
2011. "Polymyxin pyruvate Egg yolk Mannitol Bromothymol blue Agar (PEMBA)", Handbook of Culture Media for Food and Water Microbiology, Janet E L Corry, Gordon D W Curtis, R M Baird
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This monograph has been assessed by members of the IUMS–ICFMH Working Party on Culture Media and given ‘Approved’ status.
This is a diagnostic selective medium formulated by Holbrook and Anderson (1980) for the enumeration of Bacillus cereus in foods. Selectivity is attained with polymyxin and a critical concentration of nutrients. Cycloheximide may be used to inhibit the growth of moulds. Bacillus cereus is identified by colony form, colour and egg yolk hydrolysis and rapidly confirmed by cell and spore morphology. Bacillus anthracis, Bacillus mycoides, Bacillus pseudomycoides, Bacillus thuringiensis and Bacillus weihenstephanensis may not be distinguishable from Bacillus cereus. Incubation at 30°C allows the growth of psychrotolerant strains of this group.