Anaerobic Blood Agar Plates That Work for You
Active enzyme protection. Bench-top stability. Faster recovery.
Two Product Lines. One Enzyme System.
OxyPRAS Plus
- Active Oxyrase Enzyme System in the media
- 2-hour bench-top stability for flexible processing
- 4-month shelf life at 2-8 °C
- Validated for automated streaking platforms
- Eliminates need to post-reduce plates
- Streak on the bench, then incubate anaerobically
- 7 formulations + bi-plates + 2- and 3-packs
OxyPlate
- Same active Oxyrase Enzyme System
- 2-hour bench-top stability
- 3-month shelf life at 2-8 °C
- Simplest workflow available: open, streak, incubate
- No jar, no pouch, no chamber at any step
- Maximum flexibility for custom workups
- Available in Schaedler, PEA, and KVL Blood Agar
Compare the Workflow
OxyPlate
Open. Streak at the bench. Incubate.
No jar. No chamber. No post-reduction.
Simplest Workflow | 3 StepsOxyPRAS Plus
Open. Streak at the bench. Load jar/pouch. Incubate.
No post-reduction. 2 hrs bench-top flexibility.
Automation Ready | 4 StepsStandard Static PRAS / Conventional
Post-reduce. Open. Streak in chamber. Seal in jar. Incubate.
Must work quickly to limit O₂ exposure.
Legacy Workflow | 5 StepsHow the Oxyrase Enzyme System Protects the Plate
See the Difference
Colony morphology and recovery: OxyPRAS Plus vs. standard media. In each photo, the left plate is conventional media and the right plate is OxyPRAS Plus. View more results in our comparison studies.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | OxyPRAS Plus | OxyPlate | Standard Static PRAS | Gas-Flush Packaged | Conventional |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Active O₂ removal in media | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Bench-top O₂ stability | Up to 2 hrs | Up to 2 hrs | Minutes | Minutes | None |
| Bench-top streaking | Yes | Yes | Chamber recommended | Chamber recommended | Chamber required |
| Anaerobic incubation method | Jar, pouch, or chamber | Self-contained | Jar, pouch, or chamber | Jar, pouch, or chamber | Jar, pouch, or chamber |
| Post-reduction needed | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Automated streaker validated | Yes | Not yet validated | Check with mfr. | Check with mfr. | Check with mfr. |
| Shelf life | 4 months (2-8 °C) | 3 months (2-8 °C) | ~90 days | Varies | ~70 days |
| Workup packs | 2-packs, 3-packs, bi-plates | Individual plates | Some suppliers | Some suppliers | Limited |
| Pricing | Request a quote | Request a quote | Contact supplier | Contact supplier | Contact supplier |
Shelf Life Comparison
Available Formulations
| Formulation | Purpose | OxyPRAS Plus | OxyPlate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brucella Blood Agar | Primary nonselective isolation | Individual, 2-pack, 3-pack | — |
| PEA Blood Agar | Selective for gram-positive anaerobes | Individual, 3-pack | Individual |
| KVL Blood Agar | Selective for gram-negative anaerobes | Individual, 3-pack | Individual |
| BBE Agar | B. fragilis group selection | Individual | — |
| BBE/KVL Bi-Plate | Two media, one plate | Bi-plate | — |
| StrictAna Blood Agar | Most O₂-sensitive anaerobes | Individual | — |
| Schaedler Blood Agar | Enriched nonselective alternative | — | Individual |
View product inserts for complete specifications, or download our plated media sample guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between OxyPRAS Plus and OxyPlate?
Both use the Oxyrase Enzyme System and both offer 2-hour bench-top stability. OxyPRAS Plus has the widest formulation range, workup packs, automation validation, and a 4-month shelf life. OxyPlate offers the simplest workflow available: open, streak, incubate. No jar, no chamber, no post-reduction. It has a 3-month shelf life. See the full list of supported microorganisms.
Do these plates need an anaerobic chamber or jar?
OxyPlate is fully self-contained from inoculation through incubation. No anaerobic equipment is needed at any step. OxyPRAS Plus can be streaked at the bench without a chamber, then requires a jar, pouch, or chamber for anaerobic incubation. The 2-hour bench-top stability gives significant processing flexibility either way.
How does the Oxyrase Enzyme System work?
The enzyme is embedded directly in the agar. It actively consumes dissolved oxygen in the media in real time. Standard static PRAS plates have no active mechanism once exposed to air and begin re-oxidizing immediately. Learn more about the Oxyrase Enzyme System.
What is the shelf life?
OxyPRAS Plus: 4 months at 2-8 °C. OxyPlate: 3 months at 2-8 °C. Standard static PRAS: approximately 90 days. Conventional: approximately 70 days or less.
Try It in Your Lab
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