Description
Amyl Bacteriological Gelatin is presented as a granular, high grade gelatin, which is specially selected for use in microbiological procedures as a solidifying agent and as an indicator of the presence of gelatinase by certain bacteria. Gelatin was the original solidifying agent for culture media prior to the development of agar agar.
Gelatin is a colourless, pale yellow to amber and sometimes translucent material. Is is a proteinaceous material obtained by boiling water extraction from animal materials such as hides, skins, bones etc.
Bacteriological Gelatin is practically insoluble in cold water, swelling, by absorbtion of water to as much as 10 times it’s weight, to form a soft, jelly like substance. Gelatin is fully soluble in hot water (i.e. above 50°C) to form a solid gel on cooling. Gelatin is almost insoluble in alcohol, chloroform or ether. Prolonged heating of an aqueous solution reduces the gel strength and depresses the melting point.
Gelatin in powder form tends to be deliquescent and should be stored in sealed, air tight containers. Moisture penetration into the containers may lead to putrefaction by gelatin utilising organisms.
