Preface

Preface
We are pleased to present the second edition of the Difco & BBL Manual. The first edition, published in 2003, replaced the
Difco Manual, 11th ed. (1998) and the Manual of BBL Products and Laboratory Procedures, 6th ed. (1988), manuals which
were first published in 1927 and 1948, respectively. The Difco & BBL Manual is devoted exclusively to culture media and
associated reagents offered by BD as Difco™ and BBL™ brands of dehydrated culture media and BBL™ brand prepared plated,
tubed and bottled media. In this manual, over 170 years of combined media experience is brought together in an educational
and reference text.
For the second edition of the Difco & BBL Manual, we have added new products, removed discontinued products and incorpo-
rated general updates throughout. Of special note, the descriptions for media affected by the harmonization of the pharmacopeias
(United States, European and Japanese) have been updated accordingly.
The reader is advised that these products are for use by or under the supervision of microbiologists and other professionals
qualified by training and experience to handle pathogenic microorganisms and samples and specimens containing or suspected to
contain them. Also, it is expected that the user will be thoroughly familiar with the intended uses of the formulations presented
and will follow test procedures outlined in the applicable official compendia and standard texts or the procedure manual of the
using laboratory.
In addition to providing this manual as an educational resource, BD Diagnostics offers an array of educational materials and
services:
• BD Bionutrients™ Technical Manual – a manual dedicated to products used in cell culture and microbial fermentation
production.
• BD LabO™ – a newsletter providing the latest microbiology news and ideas to the clinical laboratory.
• Technical and Product Support – a dedicated group of specialists available to answer questions about any of our products
or procedures.
• Our web site, www.bd.com/ds
Grateful acknowledgement is made of the encouragement and support received from microbiologists throughout the world. Our
appreciation is extended, also, to those who have contributed their talents and time to the creation of this manual and its
predecessors. It is our desire to continue to extend our services to the advancement of microbiology and related sciences.

Becton, Dickinson and Company

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