DCA Agar: Composition, Colony Characteristics

Deoxycholate citrate agar (DCA) is a selective and differential medium, recommended for the isolation of enteric pathogens particularly Salmonella and Shigella species. Deoxycholate citrate agar is a modification of deoxycholate agar formulated by leifson.

DCA is selective for enteric pathogens owing to increased concentrations of both citrate and deoxycholate salts. Sodium deoxycholate at pH 7.3 to 7.5 is inhibitory for gram-positive bacteria. Citrate salts, in the concentration included in the formulation, are inhibitory to gram-positive bacteria and most other normal flora present in the intestine.

DCA is best prepared from ready to use dehydrated powder, available from most suppliers of culture media. 

Composition of Deoxycholate Citrate Agar (DCA)

Peptone provides carbon, nitrogen, vitamins, and minerals.

Lab-Lemco is a meat extract made from specially selected raw materials, adjusted to neutrality, and dried to a fine powder. It will enhance the growth of many bacteria and it is incorporated into a wide range of culture media as a solid foundation material as it enhances the growth of many bacteria.

Dipotassium phosphate buffers the medium.

Lactose helps in differentiating enteric bacilli (lactose fermenters produce red/pink colonies while lactose non-fermenters produce colorless colonies). The fermentation of lactose causes acidification and the pH indicator neutral red changes color to red. Lactose-fermenting colonies may have a turbid zone of precipitation around them caused by the precipitation of deoxycholate in the acidic environment.

The reduction of ferric ammonium citrate to iron sulfide is indicated by the formation of black iron sulfide. If the bacteria produce H2S, the colonies will have black centers.

Coliform bacteria and gram-positive bacteria are inhibited or greatly suppressed due to sodiumdeoxycholate, sodium citrate, and ferric ammonium citrate.

Preparation of Deoxycholate Citrate Agar (DCA)

Prepare the medium as instructed by the manufacturer.

1. Suspend 52g of dehydrated medium (supplied by the manufacturer) in 1 liter of distilled water.
2. Heat with great care to dissolve the medium completely. Do not boil or autoclave the medium. Avoid excessive or prolonged heating. DO NOT AUTOCLAVE. (If autoclaved the agar becomes soft and almost impossible to streak)
3. As soon as the medium has cooled to 50°C -55°C mix well and dispense aseptically in sterile Petri dishes
4. Label the plates “DCA”. Date the medium and give it a batch number. Store the plates at 2°C – 8°C, preferably in sealed plastic bags to prevent loss of moisture.

Storage conditions and Shelf life

• Store the dehydrated medium at 10-30°C and use it before the expiry date on the label.
• Store the prepared agar plates at 2-8°C. Shelf life is up to 6 weeks providing there is no change in the appearance of the medium to suggest contamination or an alteration of pH.

Appearance

• Dehydrated medium: Straw/pink colored, free-flowing powder
• Prepared medium: Pink colored gel

Inoculation of the prepared medium

1. Dry the agar surface before use.
2. Inoculate the medium heavily with feces or rectal swabs, spreading part of the original inoculum in order to obtain well-separated colonies on some portion of the plate.
3. Incubate for 18-24 hours at 35°C.
4. If organisms are late developers or if no non-lactose fermenters are observed, incubate for a further 24 hours.

Colony characteristics in Deoxycholate Citrate Agar (DCA)

Salmonella and Shigella species do not ferment lactose but Salmonella may produce H2S, forming colorless colonies with or without black centers. 

Colony morphology of common enteric bacteria on Deoxycholate Citrate Agar (DCA) is summarized below: 

References and Further Reading:
(You can get product specifications and details from the following manufacturers of DCA media)

• Deoxycholate Citrate Agar (DCA)-HIMEDIA
• BD- Desoxycholate Citrate Agar (DCA)
• Desoxycholate Citrate Agar: Oxoid