My watch list

McFarland standards

In microbiology, McFarland standards are used as a reference to adjust the turbidity of bacterial suspensions so that the number of bacteria will be within a given range.

Additional recommended knowledge

How to quickly check pipettes?

Essential Laboratory Skills Guide

How to ensure accurate weighing results every day?

Original McFarland standards were made by mixing specified amounts of barium chloride and sulfuric acid together. Mixing the two compounds forms a barium sulfate precipitate, which causes turbidity in the solution. A 0.5 McFarland standard is prepared by mixing 0.05 mL of 1.175% barium chloride dihydrate (BaCl₂•2H₂O), with 9.95 mL of 1% sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄).

Now there are McFarland standards prepared from suspensions of latex particles, which lengthens the shelf life and stability of the suspensions.

The standard can be compared visually to a suspension of bacteria in sterile saline or nutrient broth. If the bacterial suspension is too turbid, it can be diluted with more saline. If the suspension is not turbid enough, more bacteria can be added.

McFarland Nephelometer Standards:

McFarland Standard No.	0.5	1	2	3	4
1.0% Barium chloride (ml)	0.05	0.1	0.2	0.3	0.4
1.0% Sulphuric acid (ml)	9.95	9.9	9.8	9.7	9.6
Approx. cell density (1X10^8 CFU/mL)	1.5	3.0	6.0	9.0	12.0
% Transmittance*	74.3	55.6	35.6	26.4	21.5
Absorbance*	0.132	0.257	0.451	0.582	0.669