Brain heart infusion

Definition

Brain Heart Infusion (BHI) is a nutrient-rich growth medium used to culture a variety of fastidious microorganisms. It contains brain and heart extracts, providing essential nutrients for microbial growth.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. BHI is commonly used to grow both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria.
2. It supports the growth of fungi as well as bacteria due to its rich nutritional profile.
3. BHI can be used in both liquid and agar forms depending on experimental needs.
4. It is particularly useful for growing pathogenic species that require enriched media.
5. The medium's composition includes peptones, dextrose, sodium chloride, and infusions from calf brains and beef hearts.

Review Questions

Related terms

Nutrient Agar:

A general-purpose medium supporting growth of non-fastidious organisms.

Selective Media:

Media designed to favor the growth of specific microorganisms while inhibiting others.

Enriched Media:

Media supplemented with highly nutritious materials to support the growth of fastidious organisms.