Minimal medium

Minimal Medium is a type of laboratory media used in microbiology to grow microorganisms. It is a simple, defined medium, which contains only those nutrients essential for the growth of certain types of microorganisms.

Composition

The composition of a minimal medium can vary, but it typically includes a source of carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus, and various trace elements. The carbon source can be a simple sugar like glucose or a complex compound like citrate. The nitrogen source can be an inorganic salt like ammonium chloride or an organic compound like amino acids. The sulfur and phosphorus sources are usually inorganic salts like sulfate and phosphate, respectively. Trace elements include minerals such as iron, copper, zinc, and manganese.

Uses

Minimal medium is used in microbiology to study the nutritional requirements of microorganisms. By growing a microorganism in a minimal medium, researchers can determine which nutrients the organism needs to survive and reproduce. This can provide insights into the organism's metabolism and genetic makeup. Minimal medium is also used in genetic engineering to select for organisms that have taken up foreign DNA.

Variations

There are many variations of minimal medium, depending on the specific needs of the microorganism being studied. For example, Escherichia coli is often grown in a minimal medium called M9 medium, which contains glucose, ammonium chloride, sodium phosphate, and various trace elements. Other types of minimal medium include M63 medium, Davis minimal medium, and Sørensen's phosphate medium.

See also

• Complex medium
• Selective medium
• Differential medium

Minimal medium Resources
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