Description
What it is. Tryptic Soy Broth (TSB) from Innovating Science, part number IS5133, is a dehydrated culture medium powder supplied in a 100 g container. The manufacturer describes it as an excellent all-around growth medium for cultivating a wide variety of bacteria. Each 100 g container makes about 4 liters of broth at the specified 25 grams per liter, which suits teaching labs, quality control benches, and small research projects. Larger 500 g and 1 kg sizes are available for heavier use.
Why TSB is so widely used. Tryptic soy broth is a general-purpose, nutrient-rich liquid medium, which is why it is one of the most common broths in microbiology. It supports the growth of many common bacteria without selective agents, making it useful for growing up cultures, preparing inocula, and checking for microbial growth. Because it is non-selective, it does not identify organisms on its own; identification uses selective or differential media and tests. It is often the first medium students and new technicians learn to prepare.
Preparing the broth. The manufacturer directs mixing 25 grams of powder with 1 liter of water. Dissolve the powder completely in purified water, dispense into tubes or flasks, and sterilize by autoclaving according to your lab's validated procedure before inoculating. Prepare only what you need, label containers with the date, and store unused prepared broth as your procedure specifies to reduce contamination risk. Mixing until the solution is clear helps avoid uneven batches.
Dehydrated vs. ready-made media. Buying TSB as a dehydrated powder is economical and flexible: labs can make exactly the volume they need, in the containers they prefer, from a long-shelf-life container. Ready-to-use sterile broths save preparation time but cost more per liter. Many labs keep powdered TSB for routine and teaching work and prepared media for validated testing. The right choice depends on volume, budget, and how strictly you control the method.
Where it is used. Tryptic Soy Broth is used in education to demonstrate bacterial growth and aseptic technique, in quality control and environmental monitoring to grow organisms recovered from samples, and in research to culture and maintain bacterial strains. You can use the same powder for broth cultures in tubes, flasks, or multiwell plates, depending on the experiment. Its versatility makes it a staple on microbiology shelves. It also pairs naturally with Tryptic Soy Agar for plating.
Handling and storage. Keep the container tightly closed in a cool, dry place, since dehydrated media absorb moisture and can clump or degrade. Use clean, dry utensils to weigh powder. Treat all inoculated broths as potentially infectious, follow biosafety practices for the organisms grown, and decontaminate cultures by autoclaving before disposal. The product is non-regulated for shipping. Proper handling protects both students and staff. Wipe the bench before and after weighing powder.
Technical Specifications
| Manufacturer | Innovating Science (Gateway Chemicals, LLC dba Aldon) |
| Part Number | IS5133 |
| Product | Tryptic Soy Broth (TSB) |
| Form | Dehydrated powder |
| Net Contents | 100 g |
| Preparation | 25 g per 1 L of water |
| Yield | About 4 L of broth per 100 g |
| Type | General-purpose, non-selective growth medium |
| Shipping | DOT non-regulated |
| Also Available | 500 g (IS5153) · 1,000 g (IS5113) |
Applications / Common Uses
- Teaching labs: demonstrating bacterial growth and aseptic technique
- Culture growth: growing and maintaining bacterial strains
- Inoculum preparation: producing cultures for downstream tests
- Quality control: growing organisms recovered from samples
- Research: general-purpose broth for microbiology experiments
Storage, Handling & Shipping
Store dehydrated Tryptic Soy Broth tightly closed in a cool, dry place away from moisture and direct light. Weigh with clean, dry tools and reseal immediately. Prepared broth should be sterilized before use and stored per your lab procedure. Handle all inoculated media under appropriate biosafety practices and autoclave cultures before disposal.
- Storage: Tightly closed; cool, dry, away from light
- Preparation: 25 g per liter; sterilize before use
- Disposal: Autoclave inoculated cultures before disposal
Related Categories & Services
- Culture Media: culture media for microbiology work
- Petri & Culture Dishes: dishes for plating and culturing
- Inoculating Loops & Spreaders: tools for transferring and spreading cultures
- Safety Supplies: workplace and lab safety products
- Water: deionized and reagent-grade lab waters
- Science Education and Teaching Institutions industry page: Lab Pro products used in science education and teaching institutions
Services
- Need recurring supply? Ask about Vendor-Managed Inventory (VMI) for standing orders of culture media
- Punchout Catalogs: order through your procurement system
- New Lab Startups: help outfitting a new lab
FAQs
What is the difference between Tryptic Soy Broth and Tryptic Soy Agar?
Tryptic Soy Broth is a liquid medium used to grow cultures in tubes or flasks. Tryptic Soy Agar contains agar, so it solidifies into plates or slants for isolating colonies. Both provide a general-purpose nutrient base for many bacteria. Many labs stock both forms.
How long does dehydrated TSB powder last?
Dehydrated media generally keep well when sealed in a cool, dry place, but powder that absorbs moisture can clump or darken. Check the expiration date on the container and discard powder that has caked or changed color. Note the opening date on the container.
Does TSB grow fungi?
TSB is designed mainly for bacteria, though some yeasts and molds can grow in it. For fungi, labs typically use media formulated for them, such as potato dextrose or Sabouraud media, which provide conditions that favor fungal growth. Choose media to match the organisms you expect.
Can I make TSB with tap water?
Use purified or deionized water so minerals and contaminants in tap water do not affect growth or results. Consistent water quality also makes prepared media more reproducible from batch to batch. Record the water source on batch records.
How should prepared TSB be stored?
After sterilization, store prepared broth in sealed containers, typically refrigerated, and use it within the time allowed by your lab procedure. Check for cloudiness before use, since cloudy uninoculated broth indicates contamination. Discard any broth that looks cloudy before use.
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