Synonyms: Czapek's Agar, CZA, Czapek-Dox Medium, Czapek Solution Agar, Czapek-Dox Agar (Modified)

Product Information

Overview

Czapek Dox Agar (also known as Czapek's Agar or CZA) is a semi-synthetic solid culture medium designed for the cultivation and study of fungi and selected microorganisms in laboratory environments. The medium contains sodium nitrate as the sole nitrogen source and sucrose as the sole carbon source, making it particularly suitable for organisms capable of utilising inorganic nitrogen.

Originally developed by Czapek and later refined by Dox, this formulation has become a standard medium for qualitative mycological studies, especially for the cultivation and differentiation of saprophytic fungi. Its defined composition allows clear observation of colony morphology, pigmentation, and sporulation characteristics.

AuSaMicS Czapek Dox Agar is manufactured to ensure consistent nutrient composition, reliable buffering capacity, and reproducible performance across routine laboratory and research applications.

Technical Overview & Taxonomic Relevance

Because Czapek Dox Agar restricts usable nitrogen to nitrate and carbon to sucrose, only organisms with the enzymatic capacity to assimilate inorganic nitrogen can grow well on it — a defined-medium logic that makes colony growth itself diagnostic. This principle underlies its long-standing use in fungal taxonomy: Thom and Church's original Aspergillus monograph and Raper and Thom's Manual of the Penicillia both specify Czapek(-Dox) media as reference substrates for colony diameter, texture, and pigmentation comparisons across species. The same selective logic extends to actinomycete studies, following Waksman's use of the medium for soil-isolate characterisation.

Historical Development & Recognised Standing

The medium originates from Czech botanist Friedrich Johann Franz Czapek's 1901–1902 investigations into nitrogen assimilation and protein formation in Aspergillus niger. American biochemist Arthur Wayland Dox refined the formulation in his 1910 study of intracellular enzymes in Penicillium and Aspergillus, introducing sodium nitrate as the defined inorganic nitrogen source — the modification that gives the medium its combined name, Czapek-Dox.

The formulation is catalogued today as NRRL Medium No. 8 by the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Culture Collection (Peoria, IL), and is specified in the APHA Compendium of Methods for the Microbiological Examination of Foods for qualitative fungal identification procedures — giving it standing as a recognised reference medium rather than a proprietary formulation.

Aspergillus vs. Penicillium: Differentiating Colony Growth on CZA

Colony descriptions are general taxonomic reference points; actual morphology varies by strain, inoculum density, and incubation conditions and should be confirmed against current taxonomic keys.

Typical Applications

Mycology

• Cultivation of saprophytic fungi
• Growth and taxonomic differentiation of Aspergillus species (colony morphology, conidial colour, sporulation pattern)
• Reference substrate for Penicillium species characterisation
• Observation of colony morphology and pigmentation

Environmental & Soil Microbiology

• Cultivation of soil-associated fungi and actinomycetes
• Qualitative studies of environmental microorganisms capable of nitrate assimilation

Research & Teaching Laboratories

• Demonstration of defined/selective fungal growth media principles
• Comparative growth studies and method development

Principle of the Medium

Czapek Dox Agar provides a chemically defined environment in which sucrose serves as the sole carbon source and sodium nitrate serves as the sole nitrogen source. Only microorganisms capable of utilising nitrate nitrogen can grow efficiently, allowing selective cultivation. The inclusion of mineral salts (dipotassium phosphate, magnesium sulfate, potassium chloride, ferrous sulfate) provides essential ions and contributes to buffering, supporting stable growth conditions.

Key Features & Benefits

• Defined carbon and nitrogen sources for selective fungal growth
• Sodium nitrate as the sole nitrogen source
• Sucrose as the sole carbon source
• Buffered formulation for stable pH during incubation
• Supports characteristic mycelial and conidial development
• Suitable for routine and research mycology workflows

Composition (Typical, per Litre)

Quantities reflect the standard Czapek-Dox formulation (Czapek, 1901–1902; Dox, 1910) as adapted for solid media; AuSaMicS AS-1188 is manufactured to this reference specification with batch-to-batch consistency confirmed by growth-promotion testing (see COA tab).

Preparation

• Suspend approximately 49 g of dehydrated medium in 1 L of purified water
• Heat with agitation until completely dissolved
• Sterilise by autoclaving at 121 °C for 15 minutes
• Cool to 45–50 °C and pour into sterile Petri dishes

Storage & Stability

• Dehydrated medium: Store at 15–25 °C, dry, protected from moisture
• Prepared medium: Store at 2–8 °C and prevent dehydration

Intended Use

For laboratory research and educational use only. Not for human, animal, diagnostic, or therapeutic use.

Cross-Reference / Equivalent Products

Cross-reference numbers are provided for formulation-identity comparison and convenience only; AuSaMicS AS-1188 is an independently manufactured and specified product.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Czapek Dox Agar used for?

It is used for the cultivation, taxonomic study, and differentiation of saprophytic fungi — particularly Aspergillus and Penicillium species — and for qualitative soil and environmental mycology work.

Why does Czapek Dox Agar use sodium nitrate instead of an organic nitrogen source?

Restricting nitrogen to nitrate makes the medium selective: only organisms with the enzymatic capacity to assimilate inorganic nitrogen grow well, which is why colony growth on this medium carries taxonomic information.

Is Czapek Dox Agar the same as Czapek's Agar or CZA?

Yes — these are common names for the same defined mycological medium formulation.

Do you provide COA, SDS, and TDS with each order?

Yes — batch-specific COA, full SDS, and TDS documentation are available; see the tabs above or request current versions from our technical team.

Is AS-1188 suitable for diagnostic or clinical use?

No — it is manufactured for laboratory research and educational use only.

Search terms: Czapek Dox Agar supplier Australia, buy Czapek's Agar CZA, Czapek-Dox medium for Aspergillus, semi-synthetic fungal culture medium, sodium nitrate sucrose agar mycology, Czapek Dox Agar COA SDS TDS, dehydrated mycology media Melbourne.

Technical Data Sheet Summary

Document: TDS-AS-1188 — full Technical Data Sheet available as a downloadable Word/PDF document. Summary specifications below.

Identity

Quality Control (Performance Testing)

Mode of Action

Sucrose supplies the sole carbon source while sodium nitrate supplies the sole nitrogen source; only organisms capable of nitrate assimilation and sucrose utilisation proliferate. Dipotassium phosphate buffers the medium, and magnesium sulfate, potassium chloride, and ferrous sulfate supply essential trace ions supporting mycelial growth and sporulation.

Storage & Stability

• Dehydrated medium: store at 15–25 °C, dry, protected from moisture
• Prepared medium: store at 2–8 °C; prevent dehydration; typical shelf life per batch-specific COA

Literature / References

• Czapek, F. (1901–1902). Untersuchungen über die Stickstoffgewinnung und Eiweifsbildung der Pflanzen. Beiträge zur chemischen Physiologie und Pathologie, 1(12), 538–560.
• Dox, A.W. (1910). The intracellular enzyms of penicillium and aspergillus: with special reference to those of Penicillium camemberti. Bulletin (United States Bureau of Animal Industry), 120, 37.
• Thom, C. & Church, M.B. (1926). The Aspergilli. Williams & Wilkins.
• Raper, K.B. & Thom, C. (1949). A Manual of the Penicillia. Williams & Wilkins.
• Waksman, S.A. (1961). The Actinomycetes, Vol. II. Williams & Wilkins.
• American Public Health Association (APHA). Compendium of Methods for the Microbiological Examination of Foods, current edition — fungal enumeration and identification methods.
• USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Culture Collection. NRRL Medium No. 8 — Czapek's Solution Agar. National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Peoria, IL.

Safety Data Sheet Summary

Document: SDS-AS-1188 — full 16-section GHS-compliant Safety Data Sheet (Australian regulatory format) available as a downloadable Word/PDF document.

Product & Company Identification

Hazard Overview

Dehydrated culture media of this type are generally regarded as having low acute hazard, but the full SDS should always be consulted before handling. Typical hazard considerations relate to dust inhalation and mechanical/eye irritation from the dry powder; the prepared (autoclaved) gel presents minimal chemical hazard. This summary is not a substitute for the complete SDS.

• Physical form: Dehydrated powder — minimise dust generation during weighing and reconstitution
• Biological hazard: Not a biological hazard as supplied (unused, sterile-dehydrated medium); becomes a potential biohazard only after inoculation and incubation with microorganisms

First Aid & Handling Highlights

• Eye contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes
• Skin contact: Wash with soap and water
• Inhalation: Remove to fresh air; avoid generating dust during handling
• Handling: Use appropriate PPE (gloves, safety glasses); weigh in a fume hood or with local exhaust ventilation where practical; autoclave before disposal if inoculated

This is a summary for quick reference only. Always consult and follow the complete, current Safety Data Sheet before use, handling, storage, or disposal — particularly after inoculation, where standard microbiological biosafety practices apply.

Certificate of Analysis

Each batch of AS-1188 is supplied with a batch-specific Certificate of Analysis confirming compliance with the specifications and growth-promotion results below.

Batch Traceability

Batch/lot number, manufacture date, and re-test/expiry date are printed on the product label and the corresponding Certificate of Analysis issued with each shipment. Quote your batch number when requesting a COA reprint.