Abstract: Media, kits, and methods are disclosed for use in processes requiring microbial culture. More specifically, the invention provides carrageenan-stabilized agar-based microbial culture media for kits and methods. The media and kits of the invention possess increased shelf-life stability over currently available agar-based media. Further, the media, kits, and methods are useful in the manual determination of identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of the pathogen/s contained in a specimen or sample in periods of about 12 to 24 hours. The stabilized culture media of the invention are useful in a broad variety of applications.

Abstract: Media and kits are disclosed for use in processes requiring microbial culture. More specifically, the invention provides carrageenan-stabilized agar-based microbial culture media and kits constructed using the media. The media and kits of the invention may allow the construction of kits with increased shelf stability and useful life. Further, the media and kits of the invention may be used in kits and methods useful in the manual determination of the type of infection present in a specimen in periods of about 24 hours. The stabilized culture media of the invention are useful in a broad variety of applications. In an embodiment, the media contains both an agar medium and iota carrageenan.