Q1 ) Nutrient broth is referred to as a generalpurpose medium. Explain what is meant by thisstatement. Â
When considering your answer, youmay wish to consider what substance nutrient broth is prepared fromin addition to the further information about microbiological growthmedia on pg. 45 of the practical manual.
page 45 => Bacterialgrowth media – nutrient broth
The medium used in this practical session to study the growth ofbacteria is a liquid medium termed nutrient broth (NB). It is ageneral-purpose meat-based medium used for routine culture of manybacteria that do not have special growth requirements.
Nutrient medium of various kinds is available commercially (fromcompanies such as Oxoid and Difco) as a desiccated product (i.e. apowder). To prepare nutrient broth, water is added to anappropriate quantity of the powder and the dissolved product isdispensed in the required quantities (e.g. as 10 ml broths). It isthen sterilised by autoclaving (steam under pressure for anappropriate time) to kill all contaminating life-forms. Oncesterile, it can be stored at room temperature until required.
