TruPRAS media is pre-reduced, anaerobically sterilized media, and describes a medium whose oxygen has been removed before heat sterilization. The medium is autoclaved, dispensed, and packaged under oxygen-free conditions, which prevents the reaction of reducing agents with oxygen, which can lead to the formation of by-products that are harmful to, or can limit the growth of, anaerobes in that medium.

TruPRAS media, when packaged oxygen-free in foil packets, can be stored at room temperature. TruPRAS media also requires no pre-reduction steps by the end user and is ready for use as soon as the package is opened.

Our culture media can be opened and exposed to oxygen for up to 30 minutes if needed. We recommend placing the culture media inside an anaerobic environment such as an anaerobic chamber or jar, immediately after opening or inoculating the media. Oxygen can react with the culture media, forming by-products that are toxic to anaerobic organisms.

Of course, if you are planning to use TruPRAS media in an aerobic environment, with facultative or aerobic organisms, exposure to oxygen is completely fine and will not affect its performance.

Based off the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) document M56-A: Principles and Procedures for Detection of Anaerobes in Clinical Specimens; Approved Guideline, clinical specimens should be transported to the laboratory using an oxygen-free, pre-reduced anaerobically sterilized (PRAS) transport tube or vial.

Our anaerobic transport media contains an oxygen indicator dye, and should appear transparent and colorless before use. If a pink/purple coloration is observed near the surface of the media before use, the vial should not be used. This coloration indicates that the anaerobic conditions of the media have been compromised and could affect performance.

The anaerobic transport tubes have a stopper with a rubber septum and a plastic screw cap (AS-914 and AS-911) or have a wide mouth with a phenolic cap (AS-915 and AS-919). Specimen aspirates are injected into the transport tube through the rubber septum that has been decontaminated with alcohol. Swabs and small tissue biopsy specimens may be inserted into the transport media by removing the cap. Larger tissue specimens can be placed on the surface of the semi-solid medium in the wide-mouth tubes (AS-915 and AS-919). Submerging the tissue into the gel is not necessary, unless preferred by the processing laboratory. Tubes are then recapped and promptly shipped to the laboratory at room temperature – ice is not necessary.

The use of swabs for processing anaerobic specimens is discouraged; however, if used due to limited availability of specimens, it is best to use those made of synthetic fibers. Do not use cotton wool swabs that may contain inhibitory fatty acids.

Refer to the Quality Control section of the Instructions for Use (IFUs) for each media product. Each insert provides a list of organisms used for quality control testing at Anaerobe Systems, including the ATCC number for the appropriate strain(s). Not all organisms are required for user quality control testing. Please refer to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requirements for Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) or your lab’s implemented Individual Quality Control Plan (IQCP) requirements for more information.

Biologically sourced material is used in our media products including, but not limited to, meat peptones, blood, serum, beef, liver extract, heart extract, and bile.
Animal source materials are primarily a concern with regard to Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy (TSE) and Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE).

Products may contain components of animal origin. All components of animal origin in the product formulation have been sourced from BSE-free and TSE-free countries as identified by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Certified knowledge of the origin of the animals does not guarantee the absence of transmissible pathogenic agents. It is recommended that Universal Precautions be observed.

Please record the number of items per lot that exhibit any of the characteristics listed below, and report it to Biolog immediately. A small number of contamination events or product defects are expected, however if there is an issue with greater than 4% of the total lot received, please report it. Issues can be reported to customer service at 1-800-443-3108 or by emailing us at tech@biolog.com. If possible, please include photos in your email to aid in the investigation process. Visually inspect each item in the lot for obvious problems, such as:

• Damaged or cracked plates
• Agar detached from plates
• Signs of frozen or melted agar
• Insufficient agar in the plates or tubes
• Hemolysis of blood-containing media
• Change in the expected color of the media (possible pH deviation or browning to due to oxidation or hemolysis)
• Excessive bubbles or pitting
• Excessive moisture or dehydration
• Obvious contamination