PDB Powder | Potato Dextrose Broth for Yeasts & Molds
Potato Dextrose Broth (PDB)
Nutrient-rich liquid culture medium for cultivation, biomass production, and metabolic studies of fungi and yeasts. Manufactured in Australia with full batch documentation.
Overview
Potato Dextrose Broth (PDB) is the liquid counterpart to Potato Dextrose Agar, formulated without a solidifying agent. It provides the same nutrient-rich environment — potato infusion solids supplying organic nitrogen, vitamins, and trace minerals, combined with 20 g/L dextrose as the primary carbon source — in a fluid format optimised for submerged fungal cultivation.
The slightly more acidic pH (5.1 ± 0.2) compared to PDA (5.6) further suppresses bacterial contamination and promotes vigorous yeast and mould growth in shake-flask, bioreactor, and static liquid culture formats. AuSaMicS AS-1331 is manufactured to microbiological grade standards and dispatched same-week from Melbourne with full batch documentation.
Composition (per litre of prepared medium)
| Ingredient | Concentration (g/L) | Function | Mechanism |
|---|---|---|---|
| Potato infusion solids | ~4.0 | Nitrogen, vitamin & mineral source | Water-soluble organic compounds from dehydrated potato extract supply amino acids, B-group vitamins, and trace elements; support fungal metabolic pathways and secondary metabolite production |
| Dextrose (D-Glucose) | 20.0 | Primary carbon & energy source | Fermentable hexose sugar metabolised via glycolysis and TCA cycle; high concentration drives rapid biomass accumulation; substrate for ethanol, organic acid, and enzyme production in fermentation studies |
| Final pH: 5.1 ± 0.2 at 25 °C — Acidic pH suppresses most bacteria while permitting unrestricted fungal and yeast growth; slightly lower than PDA to enhance selectivity in liquid culture | |||
Applications
Strengths & Limitations
Comparative Media — Fungal Liquid Culture
| Medium | Format | pH | Primary Use | Selectivity | AuSaMicS Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Potato Dextrose Broth (PDB) — AS-1331 | Liquid | 5.1 | Fungal biomass, fermentation, inoculum prep | pH (mild) | AS-1331 |
| Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) | Solid | 5.6 | Colony isolation, sporulation, enumeration | pH (mild) | AS-1330 |
| Sabouraud Dextrose Broth (SDB) | Liquid | 5.6 | Clinical fungi, dermatophytes, cosmetic QC | pH (mild) | AS-1351 |
| Malt Extract Broth (MEB) | Liquid | 5.4 | Brewery, malt-utilising fungi, fermentation | pH (mild) | AS-1286 |
| Yeast Extract Peptone Dextrose (YEPD) | Liquid | 6.5 | Yeast genetics, recombinant protein expression | None | AS-1243 |
| Czapek Dox Broth | Liquid | 7.3 | Aspergillus / Penicillium metabolite studies | None | AS-1220 |
Cross-Reference / Equivalent Products
AS-1331 is equivalent to the following products from major international suppliers:
| Supplier | Product Name | Catalogue Number |
|---|---|---|
| Oxoid (Thermo Fisher) | Potato Dextrose Broth | CM0229 |
| BD Difco | Potato Dextrose Broth | 254920 |
| Merck (Sigma-Aldrich) | Potato Dextrose Broth | P6685 |
| Thermo Fisher (Oxoid) | Potato Dextrose Broth | CM0229B |
| AuSaMicS | Potato Dextrose Broth | AS-1331 |
Preparation Instructions
2. Mix: Heat with agitation until the powder is completely dissolved. The broth should appear light yellow and clear to slightly opalescent.
3. Autoclave: Sterilise at 121 °C for 15 minutes (15 psi).
4. Cool: Allow to cool to room temperature before inoculation. For shake-flask culture, dispense into flasks before autoclaving (fill to no more than 20–25% of flask volume to ensure adequate aeration).
Storage of prepared broth: Store at 2–8 °C, protected from light. Use within 4 weeks of preparation. Discard if turbidity, precipitation, or colour change is observed prior to inoculation.
Note: For samples with high bacterial contamination, add filter-sterilised chloramphenicol to a final concentration of 50 mg/L after autoclaving and cooling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Technical Data Sheet — AS-1331 Potato Dextrose Broth
Technical Overview & Biochemistry
Potato Dextrose Broth is a non-solidified liquid culture medium designed for submerged fungal and yeast cultivation. The formulation provides a balanced nutrient matrix consisting of potato-derived organic compounds (amino acids, B-vitamins, trace minerals) and a high concentration of dextrose (20 g/L) as the primary fermentable carbon source.
The slightly lower pH of PDB (5.1 ± 0.2) compared to PDA (5.6) enhances bacterial suppression in liquid culture, where the absence of a solid surface means bacterial populations can spread more rapidly than on agar. Fungi and yeasts maintain cytoplasmic pH homeostasis via plasma membrane H⁺-ATPases, enabling growth across a broad pH range (3–8), while most bacteria are inhibited below pH 5.5 due to compromised proton motive force.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance (dehydrated powder) | Cream-coloured, homogeneous, free-flowing powder |
| Appearance (prepared broth) | Light yellow solution, clear to slightly opalescent |
| pH (prepared medium at 25 °C) | 5.1 ± 0.2 |
| Reconstitution rate | 24 g per litre of distilled water |
| Sterilisation | Autoclave at 121 °C, 15 min (15 psi) |
| Moisture content (powder) | ≤6% |
| Turbidity (uninoculated, prepared) | Clear to slightly opalescent — no particulate matter |
| HS Tariff Code | 3821.00.00 |
Detailed Composition (per litre)
| Ingredient | g/L | Function | Mechanism |
|---|---|---|---|
| Potato infusion solids | ~4.0 | Organic nutrient source | Provides water-soluble amino acids, B-group vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin), and trace minerals from dehydrated potato extract; supports secondary metabolite production and pigmentation |
| Dextrose (D-Glucose) | 20.0 | Carbon & energy source | Primary substrate for fungal glycolysis; drives rapid biomass formation; high concentration supports ethanol, citric acid, enzyme (amylase, protease, lipase), and antibiotic production in industrial fermentation models |
Mode of Action — Selectivity
Selectivity in PDB is achieved through low pH (5.1). In liquid culture, bacterial growth is suppressed by the disruption of bacterial membrane proton gradients at this pH. Fungal cell membranes contain ergosterol rather than cholesterol, and active plasma membrane H⁺-ATPases maintain cytoplasmic pH homeostasis, enabling unrestricted growth below pH 5.5 where most bacteria cannot survive. No antibiotic is incorporated in the standard formulation, preserving the natural growth kinetics of the target organisms.
Quality Control — Performance Test Organisms
| Organism | ATCC / Reference | Inoculum (CFU) | Incubation | Expected Result | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aspergillus brasiliensis | ATCC 16404 | ≤100 CFU | 25 °C, 5 days | Good growth; visible turbidity / mycelial pellets | PASS |
| Candida albicans | ATCC 10231 | ≤100 CFU | 25 °C, 48 h | Good growth; uniform turbidity | PASS |
| Saccharomyces cerevisiae | ATCC 9763 | ≤100 CFU | 25 °C, 48 h | Good growth; turbidity; possible CO₂ production | PASS |
| Escherichia coli (inhibition check) | ATCC 25922 | ≤100 CFU | 35 °C, 48 h | Inhibited / no visible turbidity | PASS |
Literature & References
- Atlas, R.M. (2010). Handbook of Microbiological Media, 4th edn. CRC Press, Boca Raton. pp. 1583–1585.
- Pitt, J.I. & Hocking, A.D. (2009). Fungi and Food Spoilage, 3rd edn. Springer, New York.
- Samson, R.A. et al. (2010). Food and Indoor Fungi. CBS-KNAW Fungal Biodiversity Centre, Utrecht.
- Barnett, J.A. et al. (2000). Yeasts: Characteristics and Identification, 3rd edn. Cambridge University Press.
- Madigan, M.T. et al. (2021). Brock Biology of Microorganisms, 16th edn. Pearson Education. Chapter 19 — Fungal biotechnology.
Download TDS Document
Safety Data Sheet — AS-1331 Potato Dextrose Broth
Full 16-section Safety Data Sheet compliant with the Globally Harmonised System (GHS) and Australian Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulations. Download the complete SDS before handling this product.
SDS Section Summary
| Section | Heading | Key Information |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Identification | Potato Dextrose Broth, AS-1331, AuSaMicS Pty Ltd, support@ausamics.com, +61 412 520 598 |
| 2 | Hazard identification | Not classified as hazardous under GHS. No signal word. Dust from dry powder may cause mild respiratory irritation. |
| 3 | Composition / ingredients | Potato infusion solids, Dextrose — all non-hazardous biological/food-grade components |
| 4 | First aid measures | Inhalation: fresh air. Skin/eyes: wash with water for 15 min. Ingestion: rinse mouth; seek medical advice if unwell. |
| 5 | Firefighting measures | Not flammable. Use CO₂ or dry chemical extinguisher. Wear SCBA in enclosed fire situations. |
| 6 | Accidental release | Dry powder: sweep up, avoid dust. Prepared broth: absorb with inert material; dispose per local regulations. |
| 7 | Handling & storage | Store at 2–25 °C, sealed, dry. Prepared broth at 2–8 °C. Keep away from oxidising agents and moisture. |
| 8 | Exposure controls / PPE | Lab coat, nitrile gloves, safety glasses. No respiratory protection required for normal use. |
| 9 | Physical & chemical properties | Cream powder (dry); light yellow liquid (prepared). Not flammable. pH 5.1 prepared. |
| 10 | Stability & reactivity | Stable under recommended conditions. Incompatible with strong oxidisers. No hazardous decomposition products under normal use. |
| 11 | Toxicological information | Not classified as acutely toxic. Components have low oral, dermal, and inhalation toxicity profiles. |
| 12 | Ecological information | Biodegradable. Not classified as environmentally hazardous. Avoid large releases to waterways (high BOD). |
| 13 | Disposal | Autoclave inoculated broth before disposal. Dispose of uninoculated prepared broth to drain (dilute). Dry powder as general lab waste. |
| 14 | Transport information | Not classified as dangerous goods. No special transport requirements (UN/ADG). |
| 15 | Regulatory information | Not subject to AICIS notification. Complies with Australian WHS model regulations. |
| 16 | Other information | Issued by AuSaMicS Pty Ltd. For laboratory use only. See full SDS for complete details and emergency contacts. |
Download Full SDS Document (16-Section, GHS-Compliant)
Certificate of Analysis — AS-1331 Potato Dextrose Broth
A batch-specific Certificate of Analysis is issued for every production lot of AS-1331. The COA confirms that the supplied batch has been tested against all specifications below. Retain your COA for laboratory audit and accreditation purposes.
Specification Table
| Test Parameter | Method | Specification | Typical Result | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appearance (powder) | Visual | Cream, free-flowing, homogeneous | Cream powder, homogeneous | PASS |
| Appearance (prepared broth) | Visual | Light yellow, clear to slightly opalescent | Light yellow, clear | PASS |
| pH (prepared, 25 °C) | Potentiometry | 5.1 ± 0.2 | 5.1 | PASS |
| Moisture content | Loss on drying | ≤6.0% | 4.0% | PASS |
| Growth promotion — Aspergillus brasiliensis ATCC 16404 | Turbidity / incubation | Good growth ≥ reference | Good; visible turbidity | PASS |
| Growth promotion — Candida albicans ATCC 10231 | Turbidity / incubation | Good growth ≥ reference | Good; uniform turbidity | PASS |
| Growth promotion — Saccharomyces cerevisiae ATCC 9763 | Turbidity / incubation | Good growth ≥ reference | Good; turbidity + CO₂ | PASS |
| Inhibition — Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 | Turbidity / incubation | Inhibited / no visible turbidity | No growth | PASS |
| Sterility (prepared broth) | Incubation 35 °C / 48 h | No growth | No growth | PASS |
Download Sample COA