Which type of media is used to cultivate strict anaerobes?

Anaerobic media is specifically designed to cultivate strict anaerobes, which are organisms that cannot survive in the presence of oxygen. This type of media is prepared under oxygen-free conditions to create an environment that mimics the natural habitats of these microorganisms, such as deep tissues or the gastrointestinal tracts of animals.

Anaerobic media typically employs reducing agents to lower the oxidation-reduction potential and sometimes utilizes gas jars or anaerobic chambers to maintain an oxygen-free atmosphere. These conditions enable strict anaerobes to grow and thrive, ensuring that they are not inhibited or killed by the presence of oxygen, which is toxic to them.

In contrast, other types of media, such as aerobic media, enriched media, and selective media, are not suited for strict anaerobes. Aerobic media supports the growth of organisms that require oxygen, enriched media is designed to support fastidious organisms with additional nutrients, and selective media is used to inhibit the growth of some microbes while promoting the growth of others, none of which are ideal for strict anaerobes.