Corn Meal Agar (CMA) for Fungal Morphology & Sporulation

Corn Meal Agar is a low-nutrient, infusion-based solid culture medium used for the cultivation of fungi and the stimulation of reproductive structures such as chlamydospores, conidia, and macroconidia. Its limited nutritional composition suppresses excessive vegetative growth and promotes sporulation, making it highly suitable for morphological identification in clinical and research mycology.

The corn meal infusion provides minimal levels of carbon, nitrogen, vitamins, and trace elements, making the medium particularly effective for inducing chlamydospore formation in Candida albicans and for maintaining dermatophytes such as Trichophyton and Microsporum species.

• Induction of chlamydospore production in Candida albicans
• Morphological studies and maintenance of dermatophytes and dimorphic fungi
• Cultivation of moulds for sporulation studies in food and environmental microbiology
• Slide culture preparation for microscopic examination of hyphae and spores

1. Suspend 17.0–18.0 g of dehydrated medium in 1 L of purified or distilled water.
2. Heat with frequent agitation until completely dissolved. Do not overheat.
3. Sterilise by autoclaving at 121 °C for 15 minutes.
4. Cool to 45–50 °C.
5. Optionally add 1.0 mL of sterile 10% Tween 80 solution aseptically per litre to enhance chlamydospore production.
6. Pour into sterile Petri dishes or dispense into sterile tubes.
7. Allow to solidify at room temperature before use.

Total solids: 17.0 g/L  |  Final pH: 6.0 ± 0.2 at 25 °C

Not classified as hazardous according to GHS criteria. No hazard statements or signal words apply. Standard laboratory precautions should be observed.

Autoclave prepared media before disposal. Dispose of in accordance with local regulations. Do not pour large quantities down the drain without decontamination.

Not classified as dangerous goods (ADG, IATA, IMDG). No special transport requirements.