Skip to product information
Bulk Order
Request a Quote
Malt Extract Broth (AS-1287) – Fungal Culture Medium for Yeasts & Moulds
$25.00 AUD
Documentation
MALT EXTRACT BROTH
Catalogue No. AS-1287
www.ausamics.com.au
AS-1287 Liquid Medium Acidic Selectivity Yeasts & Moulds
Malt Extract Broth
Liquid fungal culture medium for the detection, isolation, and enumeration of yeasts and moulds
Malt Extract Broth is a nutrient-rich liquid culture medium formulated for the detection, isolation, and enumeration of fungi — particularly yeasts and filamentous moulds. It is also widely used for cultivating fungal strains in microbiological vitamin assays and fermentation-related studies, and is referenced in the FDA Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM Media M94) for sterility and spoilage-organism testing.
AuSaMicS manufactures Malt Extract Broth in Melbourne, Australia, to the verified standard reference formulation, giving reliable fungal recovery and consistent lot-to-lot performance.
Performance Snapshot
Final pH5.4 ± 0.2
Total weight20.0 g/L
Sterilisation115°C, 10 min
Appearance (powder)Light brown, free-flowing
Shelf life (powder)24 months
Formulation accuracy note: Verified composition is Malt Extract 17.0 g/L + Mycological Peptone 3.0 g/L (total 20.0 g/L), cross-checked against Oxoid's published Typical Formula. Sterilisation is by autoclaving at 115°C for 10 minutes — not the standard 121°C/15min used for most bacteriological media — because malt-extract media are sterilised at a lower temperature to avoid caramelising the malt sugars, which would otherwise alter the medium's colour and nutrient availability.
Testing Workflow
1
SampleFood, beverage, or environmental sample
2
InoculateAdd sample to prepared broth
3
Acidify (optional)Add sterile lactic/tartaric acid for stronger selectivity
4
Incubate25°C, up to 5 days
5
ObserveTurbidity indicates fungal growth
Principle of the Medium
Functional Components
Malt Extract supplies fermentable carbohydrates (predominantly maltose) as a readily available energy source, and its natural acidity contributes to the medium's selectivity for fungi over bacteria. Mycological Peptone provides nitrogen, amino acids, and growth factors, giving luxuriant fungal growth with typical morphology and pigmentation. The resulting slightly acidic pH (5.4 ± 0.2) favours yeast and mould growth while suppressing many bacteria — though this is a moderate rather than absolute selectivity, since some acid-tolerant bacteria can still grow.
Enhancing Selectivity
For mycological counts requiring stronger bacterial suppression, the medium can be acidified further with sterile 10% lactic acid (added after autoclaving, to approximately pH 3.5) or supplemented with antibiotics. Modified formulations have also been referenced in mycological literature for selective cultivation of specific species such as Aspergillus flavus.
Key Applications
Mycology & Fungal Research
Cultivation of yeasts and filamentous fungi; fungal growth and metabolic studies.
Food & Beverage Microbiology
Detection and enumeration of spoilage yeasts and moulds; shelf-life studies.
Vitamin Assays & Research
Cultivation of fungal strains used in microbiological vitamin assays.
Environmental & Industrial Monitoring
Fermentation and industrial microbiology applications; environmental fungal testing.
Formulation & Specifications
| Component | g/L |
|---|---|
| Malt Extract | 17.0 |
| Mycological Peptone | 3.0 |
| Total | 20.0 g/L |
Technical Specifications
| Catalogue No. | AS-1287 |
| HS Code | 3821.00.00 |
| Final pH | 5.4 ± 0.2 @ 25°C |
| Sterilisation | 115°C, 10 minutes |
| Storage (powder) | 15–30°C, dry, sealed |
| Storage (prepared) | 2–8°C |
Laboratory Preparation
1
Suspend 20.0 g of dehydrated medium in 1 litre of demineralised water.
2
Heat with agitation until fully dissolved.
3
Sterilise by autoclaving at 115°C for 10 minutes.
4
Cool to room temperature.
5
Add selective agents (e.g., sterile lactic acid, antibiotics) if required before use.
Why Lower-Temperature Sterilisation?
Most bacteriological media are autoclaved at 121°C for 15 minutes. Malt-extract media are the exception: the standard cycle is 115°C for 10 minutes. Malt extract is rich in reducing sugars (chiefly maltose), and the higher heat and longer hold time of a standard cycle would drive Maillard browning and caramelisation, darkening the medium and reducing the availability of fermentable sugars for fungal growth. Using the lower-temperature cycle preserves the medium's intended colour, clarity, and nutritional performance.
Malt Extract Broth vs Malt Extract Agar
| Property | Malt Extract Broth (this product) | Malt Extract Agar |
|---|---|---|
| Physical form | Liquid | Solid (agar-solidified) |
| Typical use | Sterility testing, turbidimetric assays, liquid fungal cultivation | Colony isolation, morphological identification, plate counts |
| Base composition | Malt Extract 17.0g + Mycological Peptone 3.0g | Malt Extract 30.0g + Mycological Peptone 5.0g + Agar 15.0g (typical formulation) |
Limitations & Technical Considerations
- Moderate, not absolute, bacterial suppression — the acidic pH inhibits many bacteria but some acid-tolerant or aciduric species can still grow; use additional acidification or antibiotics where stronger selectivity is required.
- Sterilisation temperature matters — autoclaving at the standard 121°C/15min (rather than 115°C/10min) can darken the medium and alter performance.
- Not a solidified medium — for colony-based work or morphological identification, use Malt Extract Agar instead.
- Not for medical, diagnostic, food preparation, or veterinary use — laboratory research, food testing, environmental monitoring, and educational use only.
Cross-Reference / Equivalent Products
| Brand | Equivalent Product | Catalogue No. |
|---|---|---|
| BD Difco | Malt Extract Broth (differs slightly — includes maltose, dextrose & yeast extract, pH ≈4.7) | 211320 |
| Oxoid (Thermo Scientific) | Malt Extract Broth (Dehydrated) | CM0057B |
| HiMedia | Malt Extract Broth Base | M255 |
| AuSaMicS | Malt Extract Broth | AS-1287 |
Ordering Information
| Catalogue No. | Pack Size | Approx. Yield | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| AS-1287-500 | 500 g | ≈ 25 L prepared medium | Dehydrated powder, bottle |
| AS-1287-2K5 | 2.5 kg | ≈ 125 L prepared medium | Dehydrated powder, bottle |
Yield calculated at 20.0 g/L reconstitution rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Malt Extract Broth used for?
A liquid medium for the detection, isolation, and enumeration of yeasts and filamentous moulds — particularly in sterility testing, food and beverage spoilage-organism detection, and cultivation of fungal strains for microbiological vitamin assays.
What temperature should Malt Extract Broth be autoclaved at?
115°C for 10 minutes, not the standard 121°C/15min used for most bacteriological media. The lower temperature avoids caramelising the malt sugars, which would otherwise alter the medium's colour and nutrient availability.
Why is Malt Extract Broth acidic?
The malt extract component naturally produces a slightly acidic pH (around 5.4), favouring fungal growth while suppressing many bacteria. For stronger bacterial suppression, the medium can be further acidified with sterile 10% lactic acid to approximately pH 3.5.
What is the difference between Malt Extract Broth and Malt Extract Agar?
They share the same nutritional base. Malt Extract Agar includes agar for plate-based colony work; Malt Extract Broth is the liquid form, used for turbidimetric assays, sterility testing, and liquid fungal cultivation.
Does Malt Extract Broth support bacterial growth?
The acidic pH suppresses many bacteria but is not fully selective — some acid-tolerant species may still grow. Antibiotics or additional acidification can be added for stronger selectivity.
Common Search Queries This Product Answers
Researchers and procurement teams typically find this page searching for:
- "Malt Extract Broth composition" / "MEB medium formula"
- "malt extract broth autoclave temperature"
- "yeast mould liquid culture medium"
- "FDA BAM M94 malt extract broth"
- "buy malt extract broth Australia Melbourne"
- "fungal sterility testing medium"
Technical Data Sheet
| Product Name | Malt Extract Broth |
| Catalogue Number | AS-1287 |
| HS Code | 3821.00.00 |
| Format | Dehydrated powder |
| Manufacturer | AuSaMicS Pty Ltd, Melbourne, Australia |
Intended Use
Liquid culture medium for the detection, isolation, and enumeration of yeasts and filamentous moulds, referenced in the FDA Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM Media M94).
Mode of Action
Malt Extract supplies fermentable carbohydrates (predominantly maltose) as a readily available energy source, contributing to the medium's natural acidity. Mycological Peptone provides nitrogen, amino acids, and growth factors, supporting luxuriant fungal growth with typical morphology and pigmentation. The resulting slightly acidic pH (5.4 ± 0.2) favours yeast and mould growth while suppressing many, though not all, bacteria.
Formulation (per litre)
| Ingredient | Quantity | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Malt Extract | 17.0 g | Fermentable carbohydrate / energy source; contributes acidity |
| Mycological Peptone | 3.0 g | Nitrogen, amino acids, growth factors |
Total: 20.0 g/L. Final pH: 5.4 ± 0.2 at 25°C.
Formulation verified against Oxoid's published Typical Formula. Sterilise at 115°C for 10 minutes, not the standard 121°C/15min — this lower-temperature cycle is specific to malt-extract media and avoids caramelising the malt sugars.
Preparation
Suspend 20.0 g in 1 L demineralised water. Heat with agitation until fully dissolved. Autoclave at 115°C for 10 minutes. Cool to room temperature. Add selective agents (e.g., sterile 10% lactic acid, antibiotics) if required before use.
Incubation Conditions
| Parameter | Condition |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 25°C |
| Time | Up to 5 days |
| Atmosphere | Aerobic |
Quality Control — Cultural Response
| Organism | ATCC No. | Expected Result |
|---|---|---|
| Aspergillus brasiliensis (niger) | 16404 | Good to luxuriant growth |
| Candida albicans | 10231 | Good growth |
| Saccharomyces cerevisiae | 9763 | Good growth |
| Escherichia coli | 25922 | Suppressed / limited growth |
Storage & Shelf Life
| Dehydrated medium | 15–30°C, dry, tightly sealed — 24 months |
| Prepared medium | 2–8°C |
Do not use if contamination, precipitation, or abnormal turbidity is observed.
Literature & References
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM), Media M94: Malt Extract Broth.
- Oxoid Ltd. Malt Extract Broth — Typical Formula and preparation instructions, Thermo Fisher Scientific technical documentation.
For laboratory research, food testing, environmental monitoring, and educational use only. Not intended for medical, diagnostic, food preparation, or veterinary applications. AuSaMicS Pty Ltd accepts no liability for results obtained outside the stated preparation and storage conditions.
Safety Data Sheet — Summary
This is a summary view. The full 16-section GHS-compliant Safety Data Sheet (Australian format) is provided as a downloadable Word document alongside this page.
| Product Name | Malt Extract Broth, AS-1287 |
| Recommended Use | Laboratory culture medium (dehydrated) |
| Manufacturer | AuSaMicS Pty Ltd, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| GHS Classification | Not classified as hazardous per Safe Work Australia criteria |
| Signal Word | None allocated |
Hazard Summary
Not classified as a hazardous chemical or dangerous good under Safe Work Australia / GHS criteria in its dehydrated form. May cause mechanical irritation to eyes and respiratory tract as a fine powder.
First Aid
| Route | Response |
|---|---|
| Inhalation | Move to fresh air. Seek medical attention if irritation persists. |
| Skin Contact | Wash with soap and water. |
| Eye Contact | Rinse thoroughly with water for several minutes. Seek medical advice if irritation persists. |
| Ingestion | Rinse mouth. Seek medical advice if unwell. |
Full SDS (16 GHS sections, handling, disposal, transport and regulatory information) is provided as a separate Word document — see downloads.
Certificate of Analysis — Sample Format
Each batch is supplied with a lot-specific Certificate of Analysis. A representative COA is provided as a downloadable Word document; the batch-specific COA accompanies your shipment.
| Product Name | Malt Extract Broth |
| Catalogue Number | AS-1287 |
| Batch/Lot Number | Assigned per production batch |
| Manufacture Date | Assigned per production batch |
| Retest / Expiry Date | 24 months from manufacture |
Quality Control Results (Representative)
| Test | Specification | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance (powder) | Light brown, free-flowing | Conforms |
| Final pH (25°C) | 5.4 ± 0.2 | Conforms |
| Appearance (prepared) | Clear to slightly turbid amber solution | Conforms |
| A. brasiliensis ATCC 16404 recovery | Good to luxuriant growth | Conforms |
| S. cerevisiae ATCC 9763 recovery | Good growth | Conforms |
| Sterility (uninoculated control) | No growth | Conforms |
This tab shows a representative format. The lot-specific Certificate of Analysis issued with your order carries the actual batch number, manufacture/expiry dates, and signed QC results.
The information provided is accurate to the best of AuSaMicS Pty Ltd's knowledge at the time of publication. Product specifications may be updated without notice. For laboratory research, food testing, environmental monitoring, and educational use only — not intended for medical, diagnostic, food preparation, or veterinary applications. Users should verify suitability for their specific application prior to use.