Ames Testing Products & Prepared Bacteriological Media & Reagents
MOLTOX® manufactures trusted Ames testing products including S9, strains, and prepared media for genotoxicity research. Serving laboratories worldwide since 1986.
Manufactured by MOLTOX®
For 40 years, MOLTOX® has supported the global Genetox community with high-quality Ames testing products including S9, strains, and prepared media. MOLTOX® serves research organizations, universities, pharmaceutical companies, CROs, and government agencies with trusted products used in mutagenicity tests and genotoxicity research.
A Leading Manufacturer Since 1986
Founded in 1986 by Dr. John Orland Rundell, PhD, MOLTOX® began in Maryland and later relocated to the Blue Ridge Mountains of Boone, NC. Before MOLTOX® was founded, these products were not readily available which forced researchers to produce them themselves. This was tedious, expensive and very time consuming. John’s vision was to provide these products in order to expedite their processes and get faster results. This would allow researchers extra time to focus on their valuable data. Since then, this dedicated, family-owned company has developed into a trusted leader in Ames research products while developing valuable relationships and partnerships in the Genetox research community. MOLTOX® continues to carry on his vision today. Research laboratories across the Globe rely on MOLTOX® for consistent, validated materials that support regulatory submissions and human health risk assessment.
Our team understands that your research depends on reliability. Our products are manufactured to rigorous industry standards with strict quality control in every batch.
Complete Ames Assay & Genotoxicity Testing Solutions
MOLTOX® manufactures a comprehensive line of Ames testing products and genotoxicity testing materials designed for in-vitro applications.
Core Product Offerings Include:
- Minimal Glucose Agar (MGA) plates
- Top Agar
- Salmonella tester strains: TA97a, TA98, TA100, TA102, TA1535, TA1537, TA1538
- E. coli strains: WP2 trp, WP2 uvrA, WP2, WP2 (uvrA), WP2 (pKM101), WP2 (uvrA, pKM101)
- Rat S9 and Hamster S9 (PB/BNF induced and uninduced)
- MUTAZYME™
- NADP and NADPH-regenerating systems (Regensys™)
- Positive control chemicals
- Salmonella and E. coli test kits (plate incorporation and fluctuation formats)
- Mutagenicity Assay Kits
Each product supports mutagenicity testing and metabolic activation studies with dependable phenotype confirmation and strain integrity.
S9 & Metabolic Activation Systems
MOLTOX® is globally recognized as the original manufacturer of high-quality S9 products for metabolic activation in Ames assays. Available in frozen and lyophilized formats, our Rat S9 and Hamster S9 preparations are produced under meticulous conditions to ensure enzymatic consistency.
Options include PB/BNF induced and uninduced S9 fractions, allowing laboratories to select the appropriate activation system for individual specific research studies.
Our NADP-based regenerating systems are formulated for dependable metabolic activation, reducing variability in your genotoxicity testing protocols.
Official Repository for Ames Strains
As the official repository for Ames strains, MOLTOX® supplies the original, authentic Salmonella and E. coli tester strains used in mutagenicity testing worldwide. Maintaining genotype stability and phenotype integrity is central to our quality assurance process.
Strains are verified prior to release, ensuring:
- Genetic consistency
- Proper phenotype expression
- Traceable documentation
- Reliable performance in regulatory testing
Your laboratory does not need to maintain in-house strain banks or produce critical media from scratch. MOLTOX® provides easy-to-use materials that reduce workload and increase efficiency..
Prepared Media for Industrial & Molecular Microbiology
In addition to Ames testing products, MOLTOX® manufactures prepared bacteriological media for industrial microbiology, environmental biology, and molecular biology applications.
Available products include but are not limited to:
- Nutrient Agar
- Nutrient Broth
- Tryptic Soy Agar (TSA)
- LB Agar
- Prepared agar plates, tubes & bottles
- Prepared broth tubes & bottles
- Reagents
All media are produced under strict manufacturing controls and rigorously tested for quality control via industry standards.
Made-to-Order with Short Lead Times
Research schedules change. Grant funding timelines shift. Regulatory deadlines move quickly.
MOLTOX® supports laboratories with made-to-order production and no minimal order requirements on most products. Standard lead times are typically 3–5 business days prior to shipping, allowing you to maintain workflow without overstocking or unnecessary delays.
This flexibility makes MOLTOX® a preferred supplier for CROs, universities, pharmaceutical companies, and FDA-regulated laboratories.
Why Laboratories Choose MOLTOX®
- Original manufacturer of S9 for Ames Assay use
- Official Ames strain repository
- Comprehensive genotoxicity testing product line
- Short 3–5 business day lead times for most products
- No minimal order quantities for most products
- Global distributor network
- 40 years supporting Genetic Toxicology
From small university labs teaching mutagenicity testing protocols to multi-national pharmaceutical companies conducting large-scale safety studies, MOLTOX® provides materials that perform consistently.
Serving The Global Research Community
While headquartered in Boone, North Carolina, MOLTOX® operates on a global scale. Our facility in the Blue Ridge Mountains specializes in producing Ames testing & Industrial Media/Reagent products used in research institutions worldwide.
Boone is home to a strong scientific and academic presence, and MOLTOX® contributes to that community through continued innovation and manufacturing excellence in Genetic Toxicology and Industrial Microbiology.
If your laboratory requires reliable Ames Assay materials, S9 metabolic activation systems, strains, or prepared media, our team is ready to assist.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are Ames testing products used for?
Ames testing products are used in mutagenicity tests to evaluate the genetic toxicity of chemical compounds. They support human health risk assessment and regulatory safety studies.
2. Does MOLTOX® manufacture S9 for metabolic activation?
Yes. MOLTOX® is the original manufacturer of S9 products for use in Ames assays, including Rat S9 and Hamster S9 in frozen and lyophilized formats. MOLTOX® also offers our proprietary MUTAZYME® S9 which includes the built-in regenerating system needed for activation.
3. What strains are available for Ames Assay testing?
MOLTOX® supplies Salmonella strains TA97, TA98, TA100, TA102, TA1535, TA1537 and E. coli strains WP2 trp and WP2 uvrA as the official Ames strain repository.
4. How quickly can products ship?
Most products are manufactured with a 3–5 business day lead time before shipping, depending on the item and order volume.
5. Does MOLTOX® supply prepared media?
Yes. MOLTOX® offers a wide variety of prepared agar, broth and reagents in various formats available for industrial, environmental, and molecular microbiology applications.