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R2A

R2A Agar is a low-nutrient culture medium specifically formulated for the enumeration and cultivation of heterotrophic bacteria, particularly those found in potable water and other low-nutrient environments. Developed by Reasoner and Geldreich, R2A Agar is widely recognized in microbiological testing for its ability to recover stressed or slow-growing bacteria that may not grow on richer media. The medium's low carbon and nutrient content mimics natural oligotrophic conditions, making it a standard choice for water quality analysis, pharmaceutical water testing, and environmental monitoring. 3G Electric supplies R2A Agar in multiple formats to support laboratory workflows: powder form for bulk preparation (e.g., SKU 39M572, 500 mL bottle, 2-year shelf life) and ready-to-use solid media in pre-poured plates or bottles (e.g., SKU 45H473, 100 x 15 mm plates, 90-day shelf life; SKU 45H371, 250 mL solid, 180-day shelf life; SKU 45H372, 500 mL solid; SKU 45H370, 100 mL solid). These products are manufactured under controlled conditions to ensure consistent performance, with specifications including container type, product form, size, and shelf life clearly defined for procurement and inventory management. The R2A Agar line from 3G Electric is suitable for laboratories requiring reproducible results in heterotrophic plate count (HPC) testing, biofilm studies, and microbial limit tests. Each SKU is traceable by manufacturer part number (e.g., MPN 7390-500g, MP3100, 250EZ-3100-250) for easy reordering. 3G Electric supports global logistics for these microbiology media products, enabling procurement specialists and lab managers to maintain consistent supply chains without geographic constraints. The media is typically stored at room temperature or as specified, with shelf-life data provided to assist with stock rotation and usage planning. For technical buyers, R2A Agar's formulation (typically containing yeast extract, proteose peptone, casein hydrolysate, glucose, starch, sodium pyruvate, dipotassium phosphate, magnesium sulfate, and agar) is designed to minimize osmotic shock and support recovery of chlorine-stressed bacteria, making it a critical tool for compliance with standards such as EPA, ISO, and pharmacopeial methods. 3G Electric's catalog includes both powder and solid formats to accommodate different laboratory preferences—powder for custom batch preparation and solid for immediate use. The availability of multiple sizes (100 mL, 250 mL, 500 mL, and plates) allows users to select the appropriate volume for their testing frequency and throughput. All products are supplied with clear labeling and lot-specific information to support quality control documentation. By offering R2A Agar through a single distributor, 3G Electric simplifies procurement for industrial and research facilities that require consistent media quality across multiple sites.

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About R2A

R2A Agar is a low-nutrient culture medium specifically formulated for the enumeration and cultivation of heterotrophic bacteria, particularly those found in potable water and other low-nutrient environments. Developed by Reasoner and Geldreich, R2A Agar is widely recognized in microbiological testing for its ability to recover stressed or slow-growing bacteria that may not grow on richer media. The medium's low carbon and nutrient content mimics natural oligotrophic conditions, making it a standard choice for water quality analysis, pharmaceutical water testing, and environmental monitoring. 3G Electric supplies R2A Agar in multiple formats to support laboratory workflows: powder form for bulk preparation (e.g., SKU 39M572, 500 mL bottle, 2-year shelf life) and ready-to-use solid media in pre-poured plates or bottles (e.g., SKU 45H473, 100 x 15 mm plates, 90-day shelf life; SKU 45H371, 250 mL solid, 180-day shelf life; SKU 45H372, 500 mL solid; SKU 45H370, 100 mL solid). These products are manufactured under controlled conditions to ensure consistent performance, with specifications including container type, product form, size, and shelf life clearly defined for procurement and inventory management. The R2A Agar line from 3G Electric is suitable for laboratories requiring reproducible results in heterotrophic plate count (HPC) testing, biofilm studies, and microbial limit tests. Each SKU is traceable by manufacturer part number (e.g., MPN 7390-500g, MP3100, 250EZ-3100-250) for easy reordering. 3G Electric supports global logistics for these microbiology media products, enabling procurement specialists and lab managers to maintain consistent supply chains without geographic constraints. The media is typically stored at room temperature or as specified, with shelf-life data provided to assist with stock rotation and usage planning. For technical buyers, R2A Agar's formulation (typically containing yeast extract, proteose peptone, casein hydrolysate, glucose, starch, sodium pyruvate, dipotassium phosphate, magnesium sulfate, and agar) is designed to minimize osmotic shock and support recovery of chlorine-stressed bacteria, making it a critical tool for compliance with standards such as EPA, ISO, and pharmacopeial methods. 3G Electric's catalog includes both powder and solid formats to accommodate different laboratory preferences—powder for custom batch preparation and solid for immediate use. The availability of multiple sizes (100 mL, 250 mL, 500 mL, and plates) allows users to select the appropriate volume for their testing frequency and throughput. All products are supplied with clear labeling and lot-specific information to support quality control documentation. By offering R2A Agar through a single distributor, 3G Electric simplifies procurement for industrial and research facilities that require consistent media quality across multiple sites.

Common Applications

  • Potable water testing — R2A Agar plates (SKU 45H473) for heterotrophic plate count per EPA method 1600
  • Pharmaceutical water systems — R2A Agar powder (SKU 39M572) for USP <1231> microbial limit testing
  • Environmental surface monitoring — R2A Agar solid bottles (SKU 45H371) for cleanroom and isolator swab samples
  • Biofilm research — R2A Agar plates (SKU 45H473) for cultivation of slow-growing oligotrophic bacteria
  • Bottled water quality control — R2A Agar solid media (SKU 45H372) for ISO 6222 enumeration of microorganisms

Frequently asked questions

Common questions about R2A from 3G Electric.

What is the typical application of R2A Agar in water testing?

R2A Agar is primarily used for heterotrophic plate count (HPC) testing of potable water, bottled water, and pharmaceutical water systems. Its low-nutrient formulation allows recovery of bacteria that are stressed by chlorination or low-nutrient conditions, providing a more accurate count of viable organisms compared to richer media like Tryptic Soy Agar. It is specified in methods such as EPA 1600, ISO 6222, and USP <1231> for water quality monitoring.

How should R2A Agar powder (SKU 39M572) be prepared and stored?

R2A Agar powder (SKU 39M572, 500 mL bottle) should be prepared by suspending the specified amount in purified water, heating with agitation to dissolve, and sterilizing by autoclaving at 121°C for 15 minutes. After cooling to approximately 45-50°C, pour into sterile Petri dishes. The powder should be stored in a dry, cool environment (2-30°C) away from direct light. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture when stored properly.

What is the difference between R2A Agar in powder form and solid pre-poured plates?

Powder form (e.g., SKU 39M572) requires laboratory preparation—weighing, mixing, autoclaving, and pouring—offering flexibility in batch size and customization. Solid pre-poured plates (e.g., SKU 45H473, 100 x 15 mm) or bottles (e.g., SKU 45H371, 250 mL solid) are ready to use, saving preparation time and reducing the risk of contamination during media preparation. Pre-poured products have a shorter shelf life (90-180 days) compared to powder (2 years) and are ideal for labs with consistent testing volumes.

Can R2A Agar be used for testing non-water samples?

Yes, R2A Agar is also used for environmental monitoring of surfaces, air, and pharmaceutical cleanrooms, as well as for biofilm studies and recovery of oligotrophic bacteria from soil or food samples. Its low-nutrient composition makes it suitable for any application where stressed or slow-growing heterotrophic bacteria need to be enumerated. However, it is not typically used for clinical specimens or high-nutrient-demand organisms.

What is the shelf life of R2A Agar solid media from 3G Electric?

The shelf life varies by product form. Pre-poured plates (SKU 45H473) have a 90-day shelf life, while solid media in bottles (SKUs 45H371, 45H372, 45H370) have a 180-day shelf life. Powder (SKU 39M572) has a 2-year shelf life. All shelf-life periods are from the date of manufacture and assume storage under recommended conditions (typically 2-8°C for solid media, room temperature for powder). Always verify the expiration date on the label before use.

Does 3G Electric supply R2A products?

Yes — 3G Electric (S) Pte. Ltd. supplies R2A products. We stock the R2A catalog and supply genuine factory-original products with full manufacturer warranty and technical support.