Azide Blood Agar Base contains Sodium azide which has been proven to have a bacteriostatic effect on Gram-negative bacteria. This means that the medium can be used for the isolation of streptococci and staphylococci in clinical specimens, water, foods, etc. Peptone mixture and Beef extract provide nitrogen, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids essential for growth. Bacteriological agar is the solidifying agent and sodium chloride supplies essential electrolytes for transport and osmotic balance. There is 0.02% Sodium Azide in blood agar that is reported to prevent the swarming of Proteus and allows the selective isolation from mixed bacterial populations. Gram-negative organisms are inhibited by Sodium azide. The medium can be supplemented with 5% sheep blood that allows for the investigation of haemolytic reactions of fastidious pathogens. Haemolytic patterns may vary with the type of blood or base medium used. For instance, defibrinated sheep blood gives best results for Group A streptococci.
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