Luria Bertani Agar is prepared as described by Lennox (1) for cultivation and maintenance of recombinant strains of Escherichia coli . Luria Bertani Agar, Miller (2) is slightly different with double amount of sodium chloride. The media is nutritionally rich for the growth of pure cultures of recombinant strains. Strains derived from Escherichia coli K12 are deficient in Vitamin B synthesis are further modified by specific mutation to create auxotrophic strains and are therefore unable to grow on nutritionally deficient media.
Casein enzymic hydrolysate provides peptides and peptones while Vitamin B complex is provided by yeast extract. Sodium chloride provides sodium ions for membrane transport and also maintains the osmotic equilibrium of the medium.
Directions: Suspend 40 grams in 1000 ml distilled water. Heat to boiling to dissolve the medium completely. Sterilize by autoclaving at 15 lbs pressure (121°C) for 15 minutes. Dispense as desired. Mix well and and pour into sterile Petri plates.