IRB – Iron Reducing Bacteria Broth

The NACE standard (TMO 194-2004) media used for the detection of Iron Reducing Bacteria (IRB). When IRB present in the media grow and metabolize, they will reduce ferric iron in the solution to ferrous iron. This reaction will then precipitate iron sulfate giving the suspension a slight green color.

False Positive: If turbidity appears without the precipitation of the green iron sulfate species, the turbidity in the vials is most likely due to other bacteria growing in the media that are not IRB and should be considered a false positive.

Physical Characteristics: Slight dark yellow color