A medium recommended by the Harmonised European Pharmacopoeia for the selective enrichment of Clostridia from non-sterile pharmaceutical samples.
Conforms to USP/EP/JP performance specification. The medium is also commonly referred to as Reinforced Clostridial Medium and abbreviated to RCM. Peptone, beef and yeast extract provide a source of nitrogen, essential vitamins and amino acids. Starch aids the detoxification of harmful metabolites and glucose is a fermentable carbohydrate. Sodium chloride provides osmotic balance and sodium acetate acts as a buffer. L-Cysteine act as reducing agents to create an anaerobic environment and maintain a low Eh. This is aided by the low level of agar which reduces the oxygen permeability through the medium. According to the Harmonised European Pharmacopoeia, Reinforced Medium for Clostridia is used as a selective enrichment broth, with subculture performed onto Columbia Agar.