---
title: Redipor Growth Media Type - XLD Agar
description: Xylose lysine deoxycholate agar (XLD agar) - a selective medium commonly used to isolate and differentiate enteric pathogens, especially Shigella species.
image: https://www.cherwell-labs.co.uk/hubfs/XLD%20agar/xld-2.jpg
---

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# Growth Media Type XLD Agar

### Xylose lysine deoxycholate (XLD) agar is a selective culture medium commonly used to isolate Salmonella and Shigella species.

 

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### Other common names

This product is widely known under the XLD agar, although it can be referred to as xylose lysine deoxycholate agar.

 

### Primary Use

A moderately selective medium recommended for isolation and differentiation of enteric pathogens, especially Shigella species.

### **Technical characteristics**

The typical medium composition:

| **Typical formulation:** | **g/ltr** |
| --- | --- |
| Xylose | 3.5 |
| L-Lysine | 5 |
| Lactose | 7.5 |
| Saccharose | 7.5 |
| Sodium chloride | 5 |
| Yeast extract | 3 |
| Phenol red | 0.08 |
| Sodium Desoxycholate | 2.5 |
| Ferric ammonium citrate | 0.8 |
| Sodium Thiosulfate | 6.8 |
| Agar | 15 |

Fresh pH 7.4 ±0.2

### Applications

XLD agar is a selective and differential medium for the isolation of enteric pathogens such as Shigella or Salmonella species from food, and environmental samples.

It relies on xylose fermentation, lysine decarboxylation and production of hydrogen sulphide for the primary differentiation of shigellae and salmonellae from non-pathogenic bacteria.

Desoxycholate is a selective agent which inhibits the growth of Gram-positive microorganisms.

### Appearance

The prepared media should appear as clear with red or pinkish-red colouration.

### Organisms & morphology

| **Microorganism** | **Observational appearance** |
| --- | --- |
| *Salmonella spp.* | Red with black center |
| *Shigella* | Red colonies |
| *Escherichia coli* | Yellow to yellow-red colonies |

**[Download PDF version](https://www.cherwell-labs.co.uk/hubfs/Growth%20Media%20Types%20-%20XLD%20agar%202024%20-%20v2%201.pdf)**

### Typical incubation parameters

XLD agar is incubated at 30 – 35 °C for 18 to 48 hours when culturing *Salmonella* as recommended in the Pharmacopoeia guidance for “Testing of products – Bile-Tolerant Gram Negative Bacteria – *Salmonella*”.

### Regulatory references

USP<62> Microbiological Examination of Nonsterile Products: Test for Specified Microorganisms Table 1

| Test for Salmonella |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| *Test/Medium* | *Property* | *Test Strains * |
| Xylose Lysine Deoxycholate Agar | Growth promoting + indicative | *Salmonella* *enterica* subsp. *enterica* serovar Typhimurium or *Salmonella* *enterica* subsp. *enterica* serovar Abony |

[Download PDF version](https://www.cherwell-labs.co.uk/hubfs/Growth%20Media%20Types%20-%20XLD%20agar%202024%20-%20v2%201.pdf)

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<https://www.cherwell-labs.co.uk/does-petri-dish-choice-change-sampling-accuracy-lp>

### Does Plate Choice Change Sampling Accuracy?

Comparative Analysis of Petri Dish Variation in Flow Rate for Air Sampling. This extended report aims to further investigate the variations in flow rate observed in petri dishes used for air sampling, focusing on the potential factors contributing to these fluctuations.

[![Download Guide](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2885977/bac09af5-4efe-47d7-aa89-95e28635d71d.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2885977/bac09af5-4efe-47d7-aa89-95e28635d71d)

 

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