BUSHNELL HAAS AGAR

Bushnell Haas Agar is prepared as per the formula of Bushnell and Haas and recommended for the microbiological examination of fuels by the SIM Committee on microbiological deteriorations of fuels. These media contain all nutrients except carbon source, necessary for the growth of bacteria. Only those bacteria that are able to decompose hydrocarbon will grow in these media. Specific carbon source i.e. hydrocarbon can be added to this medium and their utilization by different microorganisms can be studied. These bacteria can decompose a variety of hydrocarbons like kerosene, mineral oil, paraffin wax and gasoline. For liquid hydrocarbon the hydrocarbon is layered on the surface of inoculated agar. For testing volatile hydrocarbons such as gasoline the Petri-plates containing the medium are inverted and the hydrocarbon is poured into the lid.

for examination of fuels for microbial contamination and hydrocarbon deterioration by bacteria