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Potato Dextrose Agar Powder
$67.00 AUD
Documentation
Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) Powder
Dehydrated microbiological culture medium for cultivation, enumeration, and maintenance of fungi and yeasts. Manufactured in Australia with full batch documentation.
AS-1330
Catalog No.
AS-1330
Form
Dehydrated powder
Final pH
5.6 ± 0.2 at 25 °C
Appearance
Cream, free-flowing
Packaging
100 g – 25 kg
HS Code
3821.00
Overview
Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) is one of the most widely used fungal culture media in microbiology. Formulated from potato infusion solids and dextrose, its low pH (5.6) selectively favours fungal and yeast growth while suppressing most bacteria. The rich carbon source provided by dextrose and the organic nitrogen from potato extract support vigorous mycelial growth, sporulation, and pigment development across a broad range of species.
AuSaMicS AS-1330 is a ready-to-reconstitute dehydrated powder manufactured to microbiological grade standards, supplied with full batch documentation (COA, TDS, SDS) and dispatched same-week from Melbourne.
Composition (per litre of prepared medium)
| Ingredient | Concentration (g/L) | Function | Mechanism |
|---|---|---|---|
| Potato infusion solids | ~4.0 | Nitrogen & vitamin source | Provides amino acids, vitamins (B-group), and trace minerals derived from potato extract, supporting fungal metabolic pathways and secondary metabolite production |
| Dextrose (D-Glucose) | 20.0 | Primary carbon & energy source | Fermentable sugar metabolised via glycolysis; high concentration (20 g/L) promotes rapid mycelial growth and sporulation; also lowers water activity slightly |
| Agar | 15.0 | Solidifying agent | Polysaccharide gelling agent; forms firm gel at 40–45 °C; not metabolised by most fungi; provides stable surface for colony morphology assessment |
| Final pH: 5.6 ± 0.2 at 25 °C — Acidic pH selectively inhibits most bacteria while permitting unrestricted fungal and yeast growth | |||
Applications
Food safety testingEnumeration and detection of spoilage yeasts and moulds in food and beverage products
Environmental monitoringFungal contamination studies in air, soil, surface swabs, and cleanroom monitoring
Plant pathologyIsolation and identification of phytopathogenic fungi from plant tissues and soil
Water microbiologyDetection of yeasts and moulds in water samples per standard methods
Sporulation studiesGeneral fungal culture maintenance and morphological characterisation
QC laboratoriesPharmaceutical, cosmetic, and industrial QC for fungal bioburden testing
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
Universal fungal medium — supports the widest range of yeast and mould species
Acidic pH (5.6) naturally suppresses bacterial overgrowth without antibiotics
Excellent for sporulation — high dextrose supports pigment and spore development
Simple, one-step preparation — dissolve, autoclave, pour
Widely accepted in international standard methods (ISO, APHA, AOAC)
Available in bulk packaging (up to 25 kg) for high-volume labs
Limitations
Not selective — does not differentiate fungal species without further identification
High dextrose may cause pH drop in heavily inoculated cultures, affecting growth
Bacterial suppression relies on pH alone — use Rose Bengal or chloramphenicol supplement for heavily contaminated samples
Not suitable for fastidious organisms requiring specialised nutrients
Comparative Media — Fungal & Yeast Culture
| Medium | pH | Selectivity | Best Use | Antibacterial | AuSaMicS Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) — AS-1330 | 5.6 | Low (pH-based) | General fungi & yeasts, sporulation, food testing | pH only | AS-1330 |
| Rose Bengal Chloramphenicol Agar | 7.2 | Medium | Yeast & mould enumeration in food (ISO 21527) | Chloramphenicol + Rose Bengal | AS-1347 |
| Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) | 5.6 | Low (pH-based) | Dermatophytes, clinical fungi, cosmetic QC | pH only | AS-1350 |
| Malt Extract Agar (MEA) | 5.4 | Low | Brewery, fermentation, malt-utilising fungi | pH only | AS-1285 |
| Czapek Dox Agar | 7.3 | Low | Aspergillus, Penicillium species identification | None | AS-1219 |
| DRBC Agar (Dichloran Rose Bengal) | 5.6 | Medium | Foods with high mould counts — colony size restriction | Dichloran + Rose Bengal | AS-1226 |
Cross-Reference / Equivalent Products
AS-1330 is equivalent to the following products from major international suppliers:
| Supplier | Product Name | Catalogue Number |
|---|---|---|
| Oxoid (Thermo Fisher) | Potato Dextrose Agar | CM0139 |
| BD Difco | Potato Dextrose Agar | 213400 |
| Merck (Sigma-Aldrich) | Potato Dextrose Agar | 70139 |
| Thermo Fisher (Oxoid) | Potato Dextrose Agar | CM0139B |
| AuSaMicS | Potato Dextrose Agar Powder | AS-1330 |
Preparation Instructions
1. Weigh: Suspend 39 g of AS-1330 powder per 1 litre of distilled or deionised water.
2. Mix: Stir to homogenise. Heat gently if required to dissolve completely.
3. Autoclave: Sterilise at 121 °C for 15 minutes (15 psi).
4. Cool: Allow to cool to 47–50 °C before pouring plates.
5. Pour: Dispense approximately 15–20 mL per standard Petri dish. Allow to solidify at room temperature.
Storage of prepared plates: Store inverted at 2–8 °C, protected from light. Use within 4 weeks of preparation.
Note: For food and environmental samples with heavy bacterial contamination, add chloramphenicol (50 mg/L) or Rose Bengal (25 mg/L) aseptically after autoclaving and cooling to 50 °C.
2. Mix: Stir to homogenise. Heat gently if required to dissolve completely.
3. Autoclave: Sterilise at 121 °C for 15 minutes (15 psi).
4. Cool: Allow to cool to 47–50 °C before pouring plates.
5. Pour: Dispense approximately 15–20 mL per standard Petri dish. Allow to solidify at room temperature.
Storage of prepared plates: Store inverted at 2–8 °C, protected from light. Use within 4 weeks of preparation.
Note: For food and environmental samples with heavy bacterial contamination, add chloramphenicol (50 mg/L) or Rose Bengal (25 mg/L) aseptically after autoclaving and cooling to 50 °C.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What organisms grow best on Potato Dextrose Agar?
PDA supports growth of a wide range of yeasts and moulds including Saccharomyces, Candida, Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium, Alternaria, and most phytopathogenic fungi. The acidic pH (5.6) and high dextrose content make it particularly effective for sporulation studies.
Q2: How does PDA differ from Potato Dextrose Broth (PDB)?
PDA is solidified with 15 g/L agar, making it suitable for colony morphology studies, sporulation, and surface enumeration. PDB (without agar) is used as a liquid medium for biomass production, shake-flask fermentation, and inoculum preparation.
Q3: Can PDA be used for bacterial cultures?
PDA is not recommended for routine bacterial culture. Its acidic pH (5.6) suppresses most bacteria, though acid-tolerant species such as Lactobacillus may grow slowly. For bacterial work, use Nutrient Agar (AS-1310) or Tryptic Soy Agar (AS-1370).
Q4: What is the HS tariff code for PDA?
HS Code 3821.00 — prepared culture media for development of microorganisms.
Q5: Is AS-1330 suitable for ISO 21527 yeast and mould testing?
PDA is widely used in food microbiology but ISO 21527 specifically requires DRBC Agar or Rose Bengal Chloramphenicol Agar. PDA with chloramphenicol supplement is acceptable for general enumeration; consult your accreditation body for specific method requirements.
Important Notice: For laboratory use only. Not for medical, food, or veterinary applications. By purchasing, the buyer confirms that use complies with all applicable Australian laws, institutional biosafety requirements, and workplace health and safety regulations. AuSaMicS Pty Ltd accepts no liability for misuse of this product outside a controlled laboratory environment.
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Technical Data Sheet — AS-1330 Potato Dextrose Agar
Document Type
Technical Data Sheet
Product
Potato Dextrose Agar
Catalog No.
AS-1330
Revision
1.0
Issuer
AuSaMicS Pty Ltd
Technical Overview & Biochemistry
Potato Dextrose Agar supports fungal and yeast growth through a combination of a rich nutrient matrix and selective pH. Potato infusion provides water-soluble organic compounds — including reducing sugars, amino acids, and B-group vitamins — extracted from dehydrated potato tissue. The high dextrose concentration (20 g/L) serves as the primary fermentable carbon source, supporting both aerobic and fermentative metabolic pathways. The acidic final pH (5.6 ± 0.2) inhibits bacterial growth via acid stress on bacterial cell membranes while remaining permissive for most fungi, which tolerate a broad pH range (3–8).
Agar at 15 g/L provides a firm, stable solid surface that is not metabolised by fungi, allowing accurate colony morphology assessment, sporulation observation, and colony counting.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance (dehydrated) | Cream-coloured, homogeneous, free-flowing powder |
| Appearance (prepared medium) | Pale yellow, translucent agar — firm gel consistency |
| pH (prepared medium at 25 °C) | 5.6 ± 0.2 |
| Reconstitution rate | 39 g per litre of distilled water |
| Gelling temperature | Solidifies below 45 °C; melts above 80 °C |
| Sterilisation | Autoclave at 121 °C, 15 min (15 psi) |
| Water activity (prepared) | ~0.990–0.993 |
| Moisture content (powder) | ≤6% |
| HS Tariff Code | 3821.00 |
Detailed Composition (per litre)
| Ingredient | g/L | Function | Mechanism |
|---|---|---|---|
| Potato infusion solids | ~4.0 | Nutrient source | Supplies amino acids, B-vitamins, and trace minerals; promotes secondary metabolite and pigment production in moulds |
| Dextrose (D-Glucose) | 20.0 | Carbon & energy source | Primary substrate for fungal glycolysis and the TCA cycle; drives rapid biomass and spore production; catabolite repression regulates secondary metabolism |
| Agar | 15.0 | Solidifying agent | Linear polysaccharide (agarose/agaropectin) forming thermoreversible gel; metabolically inert to most fungi; provides stable surface for colony observation |
Mode of Action — Selectivity
The selective action of PDA relies primarily on its acidic pH (5.6). At this pH, bacterial cell membranes experience proton motive force disruption and inhibition of nutrient transport, effectively suppressing most Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Fungi and yeasts possess a more robust plasma membrane composition (ergosterol-rich) and active proton-pumping ATPases that maintain cytoplasmic pH homeostasis across a wide extracellular pH range (3–8), allowing unrestricted growth. No antibiotic selectivity is employed in the standard formulation.
Quality Control — Performance Test Organisms
| Organism | ATCC / Reference | Inoculum (CFU) | Incubation | Expected Growth | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aspergillus brasiliensis | ATCC 16404 | ≤100 CFU | 25 °C, 5 days | Good growth; black conidia | PASS |
| Candida albicans | ATCC 10231 | ≤100 CFU | 25 °C, 3 days | Good growth; cream colonies | PASS |
| Saccharomyces cerevisiae | ATCC 9763 | ≤100 CFU | 25 °C, 3 days | Good growth; white-cream colonies | PASS |
| Escherichia coli (inhibition check) | ATCC 25922 | ≤100 CFU | 35 °C, 48 h | Inhibited / no growth | PASS |
Literature & References
- Atlas, R.M. (2010). Handbook of Microbiological Media, 4th edn. CRC Press, Boca Raton. pp. 1583–1584.
- ISO 21527-1:2008. Microbiology of food and animal feeding stuffs — Horizontal method for the enumeration of yeasts and moulds. International Organization for Standardization.
- APHA (2015). Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 23rd edn. Method 9610 (Fungi).
- Samson, R.A. et al. (2010). Food and Indoor Fungi. CBS-KNAW Fungal Biodiversity Centre, Utrecht.
- Hocking, A.D. & Pitt, J.I. (1980). Dichloran-glycerol medium for enumeration of xerophilic fungi from low-moisture foods. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 39(3), 488–492.
Download TDS Document
AuSaMicS Pty Ltd Disclaimer: Technical data provided is based on current literature and internal quality testing. Values may vary by lot. AuSaMicS Pty Ltd makes no warranty of fitness for any specific application. For laboratory use only.
Safety Data Sheet — AS-1330 Potato Dextrose Agar
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 document below before handling this product.
GHS Standard
GHS Rev. 9
WHS Compliance
Australian WHS Reg. 2017
Sections
16 mandatory
Signal Word
Not classified
SDS Section Summary
| Section | Heading | Key Information |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Identification | Potato Dextrose Agar Powder, AS-1330, AuSaMicS Pty Ltd, support@ausamics.com |
| 2 | Hazard identification | Not classified as hazardous under GHS. No signal word. Dust may cause mild irritation. |
| 3 | Composition / information on ingredients | Potato infusion solids, Dextrose, Agar — all non-hazardous biological/food-grade materials |
| 4 | First aid measures | Inhalation: fresh air. Skin/eyes: wash with water. Ingestion: rinse mouth, seek advice if unwell. |
| 5 | Firefighting measures | Not flammable. Use CO₂ or dry powder extinguisher. Wear SCBA in enclosed fire scenarios. |
| 6 | Accidental release | Sweep up powder; avoid generating dust; dispose as general laboratory waste per local regulations. |
| 7 | Handling & storage | Store at 2–25 °C, sealed, dry. Avoid moisture ingress. Keep away from incompatible oxidising agents. |
| 8 | Exposure controls / PPE | Lab coat, nitrile gloves, safety glasses. No respiratory protection required for normal use. |
| 9 | Physical & chemical properties | Cream powder, pH 5.6 (prepared), hygroscopic, not flammable, not explosive |
| 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. Individual components have low toxicity profiles. Dust may cause mechanical irritation. |
| 12 | Ecological information | Not classified as environmentally hazardous. Biodegradable components. Avoid large releases to waterways. |
| 13 | Disposal considerations | Autoclave prepared media before disposal. Dispose of dry powder as general laboratory waste per local council requirements. |
| 14 | Transport information | Not classified as dangerous goods (UN/ADG). No special transport requirements. |
| 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. |
Download Full SDS Document (16-Section, GHS-Compliant)
AuSaMicS Pty Ltd Safety Disclaimer: Always consult the full 16-section SDS before handling this product. Use appropriate personal protective equipment. AuSaMicS Pty Ltd accepts no liability for injuries resulting from failure to observe standard laboratory safety procedures. Emergency contact: +61 412 520 598.
Certificate of Analysis — AS-1330 Potato Dextrose Agar
A batch-specific Certificate of Analysis is issued for every lot of AS-1330 Potato Dextrose Agar. The COA confirms that the supplied batch has been tested against the specifications below and meets all stated requirements. Retain your COA for laboratory audit and accreditation purposes.
Issued by
AuSaMicS Pty Ltd
Test frequency
Every production lot
Traceability
LOT & EXP on label
Dispatch
Included with order
Specification Table
| Test Parameter | Method | Specification | Typical Result | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appearance (powder) | Visual | Cream, free-flowing, homogeneous | Cream powder, homogeneous | PASS |
| pH (prepared, 25 °C) | Potentiometry | 5.6 ± 0.2 | 5.6 | PASS |
| Moisture content | Loss on drying | ≤6.0% | 4.2% | PASS |
| Gel strength (prepared) | Visual / rheology | Firm gel, no syneresis | Firm, clear surface | PASS |
| Growth promotion — Aspergillus brasiliensis ATCC 16404 | Pour plate / incubation | Good growth ≥ reference | Good; black conidia | PASS |
| Growth promotion — Candida albicans ATCC 10231 | Pour plate / incubation | Good growth ≥ reference | Good; cream colonies | PASS |
| Growth promotion — Saccharomyces cerevisiae ATCC 9763 | Pour plate / incubation | Good growth ≥ reference | Good; white colonies | PASS |
| Inhibition — Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 | Streak plate / incubation | Inhibited / no growth | No growth | PASS |
| Sterility (prepared medium) | Incubation 35 °C / 48 h | No growth | No growth | PASS |
Download Sample COA
AuSaMicS Pty Ltd COA Disclaimer: This Certificate of Analysis is lot-specific. Sample COA shown here is representative only. The actual COA for the supplied lot is included with every order and confirms test results for that specific batch. Results are valid for the tested lot under the storage conditions stated. AuSaMicS Pty Ltd is not responsible for changes in product characteristics resulting from improper storage or handling after receipt. For lot-specific documentation enquiries: support@ausamics.com.