Gifu Anaerobic Medium (GAM Broth) is a liquid medium for anaerobic bacteria. As this medium contains the digested serum
which has hemin, it is successfully used for cultivation of anaerobic organisms such as streptococci, pneumonococci and
meningococci. This medium is also suitable for blood culture (1). Anaerobic organisms require reducing condition and an
absence of dissolved oxygen in the medium. Strict anaerobes obtain its energy and intermediates through oxidation utilizing
hydrogen acceptors other than oxygen. Pre-reducing the medium by boiling to drive off the oxygen can expel this (2).
Sodium thioglycollate and L-Cysteine are the reducing agents added in this medium to provide adequate anaerobiosis.
Anaerobic bacteria vary in their sensitivy to oxygen and nutritional requirements (3).
Peptic digest of animal tissue and yeast extract provide nitrogen, carbon and vitamin source. Starch absorbs the toxic metabolites
produced (4). Hemin serves as essential growth factor and Sodium chloride maintains osmotic equilibrium (5).