STERLIX® SDA Ready To Use Agar Plate (Sabouraud Dextrose Agar)

STERLIX® SDA Ready To Use Agar Plate (Sabouraud Dextrose Agar)
Product Details

SDA agar (Sabouraud Dextrose Agar) is a selective and differential culture medium commonly used in microbiology laboratories for the isolation and cultivation of fungi, particularly yeasts and molds. It was named after Raymond Sabouraud, a French physician and mycologist who developed the agar medium.

The composition of SDA agar includes:

Dextrose: SDA agar contains dextrose (glucose) as the primary carbon source, providing energy for fungal growth.

Peptone: Peptone, derived from protein hydrolysis, serves as a nitrogen source and provides essential amino acids for fungal growth.

Agar: Agar, obtained from marine algae, acts as a solidifying agent to form a solid surface for fungal colony development.

pH Indicator: SDA agar may contain a pH indicator, such as phenol red or bromothymol blue, to detect changes in pH that can occur during fungal growth.

SDA agar creates an environment favorable for fungal growth while inhibiting the growth of bacteria and most other microorganisms. The low pH of SDA agar (around 5.6) creates an acidic environment that helps suppress bacterial growth and encourages the growth of fungi.

SDA agar is particularly useful for the isolation, cultivation, and identification of various fungal species. It is commonly employed for clinical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and research purposes. Fungi that can grow on SDA agar include Candida species, Aspergillus species, dermatophytes (fungi that cause skin infections), and other filamentous fungi.
The distinctive characteristics observed on SDA agar include the appearance of different colony morphologies, such as size, color, texture, and pigmentation, which can aid in the identification of fungal species. Additional tests and techniques, such as microscopic examination, slide culture, and biochemical tests, are often performed in conjunction with SDA agar to confirm the identification of specific fungal isolates.

It's important to note that SDA agar should be handled and incubated properly to prevent contamination by other microorganisms and ensure optimal fungal growth.