Corn Meal Agar
Corn Meal Agar
Low-Nutrient Medium for Fungal Morphology and Sporulation
Catalog Number: AS-1184
Overview
Corn Meal Agar is a low-nutrient, infusion-based solid culture medium primarily used for the cultivation of fungi and the stimulation of reproductive structures such as chlamydospores, conidia, and macroconidia. Its minimal nutritional content suppresses excessive vegetative growth and promotes sporulation, facilitating morphological identification in clinical and research mycology.
The corn meal infusion provides limited carbon, nitrogen, vitamins, and trace elements, making the medium particularly effective for chlamydospore production in Candida albicans and for maintaining and studying dermatophytes such as Trichophyton and Microsporum species. Corn Meal Agar is commonly supplemented with Tween 80 to enhance chlamydospore formation and is widely used in slide culture techniques.
Applications
• Induction of chlamydospore production in Candida albicans for differentiation from other yeasts
• Morphological studies and maintenance of dermatophytes and dimorphic fungi from clinical specimens
• Cultivation of moulds for conidiation in food microbiology and environmental monitoring
• Slide culture preparation for microscopic examination of hyphae and spores
Key Features & Benefits
• Low-nutrient formulation encourages sporulation rather than vegetative growth
• Supports reliable chlamydospore formation in C. albicans (enhanced with Tween 80)
• Simple infusion base minimises background interference during microscopic examination
• Suitable for direct plating, overlay methods, and slide culture techniques
• Cost-effective and widely validated medium for routine mycology laboratories
Principle of the Medium
Corn Meal Agar limits available nutrients, restricting rapid mycelial expansion and encouraging fungi to enter reproductive phases. This promotes the formation of characteristic spores and structures needed for morphological identification. Optional supplementation with Tween 80 alters surface tension and lipid availability, further stimulating chlamydospore development in Candida albicans.
Typical Composition (per litre)
Corn Meal Infusion Solids (from 50.0 g corn meal) – 2.0 g
Agar – 20.0 g
Final pH: 6.0 ± 0.2 at 25 °C
Preparation
Suspend 17.0–18.0 g of dehydrated medium in 1 L of purified or distilled water.
Heat with frequent agitation to boiling until completely dissolved; do not overheat.
Sterilise by autoclaving at 121 °C (15 psi) for 15 minutes.
Cool to 45–50 °C in a water bath.
Optionally, aseptically add 0.5 mL sterile 10% Tween 80 solution to enhance chlamydospore production.
Mix thoroughly and pour into sterile Petri dishes (15–20 mL per plate) or dispense into tubes for slants.
Allow the medium to solidify at room temperature.
For slide cultures, prepare thin agar layers in sterile Petri dishes.
Incubation & Typical Growth
Inoculate centrally with a fungal fragment or spore suspension.
Incubate aerobically at 25–30 °C for 3–14 days.
Typical growth: thin, white to cream-coloured colonies with sparse aerial mycelium.
Chlamydospores, conidia, or macroconidia develop depending on the organism and incubation time.
Storage & Stability
Dehydrated medium: Store at 10–30 °C in a tightly closed container, protected from moisture and light
Prepared plates or slants: Store at 2–8 °C in sealed plastic bags and use within 4–6 weeks
Discard if dehydrated, contaminated, discoloured, or mouldy
Intended Use
For laboratory and research use only.
Not for human or veterinary consumption.
Not for diagnostic use without appropriate validation.
Quality & Compliance
Manufactured under controlled conditions for batch-to-batch consistency.
Compatible with CLSI M35, APHA guidelines, and ATCC reference formulations.
Suitable for routine clinical, food, and environmental mycology laboratories.
Customs & Trade Information
HS / AHECC Code: 3821.00.00
Prepared culture media for the development or maintenance of microorganisms