Modified Postgate’s B Media (MPB)

Detection of Sulfate Reducing Bacteria (SRB)

What is MPB?

This highly sensitive SRB growth medium is currently the NACE TMO-194 standard for the cultivation of SRB in oil and gas systems
Modified Postgate’s B (MPB) Media was formulated by SRB research pioneer John Posgate in 1975
MPB is a strictly anaerobic media and is manufactured at BTS inside custom built anaerobic chambers

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How It Works

MPB contains nutrients such as proteins, organic acids, and sulfate specially formulated to facilitate the growth of oil and gas field SRB
The redox potential of properly made MPB, typically less than -300mV, will allow for the reduction of the sulfate to sulfide by SRB
The biogenic sulfide created by SRB then reacts with dissolved iron species in the MPB solution. This reaction precipitates a black iron sulfide precipitate. Black precipitation in the vial indicates a positive for SRB

False Positive

If a water source inoculated into MPB has a significant concentration of dissolved sulfide, this can cause iron sulfide to form and create a false positive.