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YPD Agar (Yeast Extract Peptone Dextrose Agar) for Saccharomyces & Fungal Cultivation AS-1384 l Ausamics
$25.00 AUD
YPD Agar — Yeast Extract Peptone Dextrose
Complete Non-Selective Medium for Yeast Cultivation, Molecular Biology & Fermentation Research | Cat. No. AS-1384
Cat. No. AS-1384 pH 6.5 ± 0.2 65 g/L Dextrose 20 g/L | Agar 20 g/L ✓ Complete Medium — Auxotrophs Grow ✕ Not a Selection Medium ✓ BD Difco 242720 Equivalent 🇦🇺 Made in Melbourne ⚡ Same-Week Dispatch
Cat. No.
AS-1384
pH (25°C)
6.5 ± 0.2
Dissolution
65 g/L
Dextrose
20.0 g/L (2%)
Incubation
25–30°C / 48–72h
📄 Full DocumentationCOA, TDS & SDS every batch
🇦🇺 Australian StockNo import delays
⚡ Same-Week DispatchMelbourne warehouse
🔬 Technical SupportDirect from our team
Overview — The Standard Complete Yeast Medium
YPD Agar (AS-1384) — also known as YEPD Agar — is the standard complete medium for yeast cultivation, used in virtually every molecular biology, genetics, and fermentation laboratory working with Saccharomyces cerevisiae and other yeasts. The formulation is based on the reference composition described in Burke, Dawson & Stearns (2000) Methods in Yeast Genetics (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press): Yeast Extract 1% + Peptone 2% + Dextrose 2% + Agar 2%.
YPD is a complete medium — it provides all nutrients required for growth of any yeast strain, including auxotrophic mutants that cannot synthesise specific amino acids or vitamins. This makes it the universal non-selective baseline for routine culture, pre-culture before transformation, and stock maintenance, but also means it cannot be used as a selection medium to screen for genetic markers or auxotrophies.
Mode of Action — Three Components, Complete Nutrition
Yeast Extract (10.0 g/L — 1%): A water-soluble extract of autolysed yeast cells containing B-complex vitamins (riboflavin, thiamine, niacin, pantothenate, biotin), all amino acids, nucleotide precursors, and growth co-factors. Yeast extract is the most nutritionally complete natural supplement available for yeast culture — it supplies every organic micronutrient required for rapid exponential growth, including those that specific auxotrophic strains cannot synthesise.
Peptone (20.0 g/L — 2%): Enzymatic digest of animal protein providing abundant free amino acids, short peptides, and organic nitrogen. The high concentration (2%) ensures rapid, luxuriant growth — in optimal conditions, S. cerevisiae divides every 90 minutes in YPD. Peptone also contributes trace minerals and vitamins.
Dextrose (Glucose, 20.0 g/L — 2%): The primary fermentable carbon and energy source. Saccharomyces cerevisiae preferentially metabolises glucose by fermentation (Crabtree effect) even under aerobic conditions — rapidly producing ethanol from the 2% dextrose before switching to aerobic metabolism. This is the basis of S. cerevisiae's dual fermentative/respiratory lifestyle.
Agar (20.0 g/L — 2%): Solidifying agent at 2% — the standard concentration for yeast genetics plates. Higher than bacterial media (1.5%) to produce plates that tolerate the repeated replica plating, pin-tool transfers, and room-temperature manipulation typical in yeast genetics workflows.
Peptone (20.0 g/L — 2%): Enzymatic digest of animal protein providing abundant free amino acids, short peptides, and organic nitrogen. The high concentration (2%) ensures rapid, luxuriant growth — in optimal conditions, S. cerevisiae divides every 90 minutes in YPD. Peptone also contributes trace minerals and vitamins.
Dextrose (Glucose, 20.0 g/L — 2%): The primary fermentable carbon and energy source. Saccharomyces cerevisiae preferentially metabolises glucose by fermentation (Crabtree effect) even under aerobic conditions — rapidly producing ethanol from the 2% dextrose before switching to aerobic metabolism. This is the basis of S. cerevisiae's dual fermentative/respiratory lifestyle.
Agar (20.0 g/L — 2%): Solidifying agent at 2% — the standard concentration for yeast genetics plates. Higher than bacterial media (1.5%) to produce plates that tolerate the repeated replica plating, pin-tool transfers, and room-temperature manipulation typical in yeast genetics workflows.
✕ YPD is NOT a selection medium. Because it is nutritionally complete, all yeast strains (including auxotrophs for His, Leu, Trp, Ura, etc.) grow on YPD. For selection, use appropriate synthetic dropout media (SC -Ura, SC -Leu, etc.) or media containing selection agents (G418/Geneticin, Hygromycin B, Nourseothricin). YPD is used to grow strains before or after selection steps.
Applications
🧪
Strain Maintenance
Routine culture and stock maintenance of all S. cerevisiae strains
🧬
Transformation Prep
Pre-culture before LiAc/PEG or electroporation transformation protocols
🧒
Competent Cell Prep
Grow cells to mid-log phase (OD600 0.4–0.6) for competent cell preparation
🍻
Brewing & Fermentation
Yeast propagation, strain screening, bioprocess development
📊
Sporulation Pre-Culture
Grow diploids to saturation before transfer to Ascospore Agar (AS-1436)
📚
Teaching Labs
Yeast biology practicals, colony observation, Gram stain source cultures
YPD vs Related Yeast Media
| Medium | Carbon Source | Auxotrophs Grow? | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| YPD Agar (AS-1384) ★ | Dextrose 2% | ✓ Yes — complete | Non-selective growth; transformation pre-culture; strain maintenance |
| YEPG Agar (AS-1437) | Glycerol 3% (non-fermentable) | ✓ (respiratory-competent) | Petite mutant screening; mitochondrial studies |
| Ascospore Agar (AS-1436) | Potassium Acetate 1% | ✓ (limited growth) | Ascospore induction; meiosis studies |
| SC Dropout Media | Dextrose 2% | ✕ Selective | Selection for specific auxotrophic markers; transformation screening |
| YPD + G418 | Dextrose 2% | Depends on G418 conc. | Selection for kanMX4 marker (geneticin resistance) |
FAQs
❓ What is the difference between YPD and YEPD?
None — they are identical. YPD (Yeast extract, Peptone, Dextrose) and YEPD (Yeast Extract, Peptone, Dextrose) are two abbreviations for exactly the same medium. Some labs use YEPD to distinguish from minimal media; others use YPD as it matches the abbreviation order. AS-1384 is either.
❓ Why is the dextrose concentration 2% (20 g/L) rather than lower?
2% dextrose is the standard concentration established by the Cold Spring Harbor reference protocols. It provides sufficient carbon for rapid exponential growth (doubling time ~90 min) and reaches saturation culture densities of ~2×10⁸ cells/mL on plates. Lower dextrose (e.g. 1%) reduces growth rate and final colony size; higher dextrose can inhibit growth through catabolite effects and osmotic stress in some strains.
❓ Why does YPD use 2% agar (20 g/L) rather than the standard 1.5%?
Yeast genetics workflows involve extensive physical manipulation of plates — replica plating with velvet pads, pin-tool transfers, cell sorting, and prolonged room-temperature incubation. 2% agar produces firmer plates that tolerate this handling without cracking or fragmenting. The higher agar level also produces slightly drier surfaces that allow better colony spreading after transformation. Standard bacterial media use 1.5% agar; yeast genetics conventionally uses 2%.
❓ Can I add selection antibiotics (G418, Hygromycin, NAT) to YPD?
Yes — YPD is the standard base for antibiotic selection plates in yeast. Common additions: G418/Geneticin (200–400 µg/mL) for kanMX4 selection; Hygromycin B (300 µg/mL) for hphMX4; Nourseothricin (100 µg/mL) for natMX4; Clonase (100 µg/mL) for clonatMX. Add antibiotics aseptically to agar cooled to 50°C. Always prepare YPD + antibiotic plates fresh and use within 2–4 weeks.
❓ Is AS-1384 equivalent to BD Difco YPD Agar 242720?
Yes — AS-1384 follows the same standard formula: Yeast Extract 10 g/L, Peptone 20 g/L, Dextrose 20 g/L, Agar 20 g/L, pH 6.5 ± 0.2, dissolution 65 g/L. Full COA supplied with every batch.
Cross-Reference / Equivalents
| Manufacturer | Product Name | Cat. No. |
|---|---|---|
| BD Difco | YPD Agar (Yeast Peptone Dextrose Agar) | 242720 |
| Sigma-Aldrich / Merck | YPD Agar | Y1500 |
| HiMedia | YEPD Agar | M769 |
| Thermo Scientific | YPD Agar | R01725 |
Related Products
Product Specifications
| Product Name | Yeast Extract Peptone Dextrose (YPD) Agar |
| Catalogue Number | AS-1384 |
| Synonyms | YEPD Agar; YPD Medium; Complete Yeast Medium; Yeast Extract Peptone Dextrose Medium |
| Reference | Burke D, Dawson D, Stearns T. Methods in Yeast Genetics. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press; 2000. |
| Commercial Equivalents | BD Difco 242720 | Sigma-Aldrich Y1500 | HiMedia M769 | Thermo Scientific R01725 |
| Medium Type | Complete non-selective solid culture medium for yeast |
| Dissolution | 65 g/L in distilled or deionised water |
| Final pH at 25°C | 6.5 ± 0.2 |
| Sterilisation | Autoclave 121°C for 15 minutes |
| Appearance (powder) | Light beige to tan, free-flowing homogeneous powder |
| Appearance (prepared agar) | Light to medium amber, slightly opalescent; firm gel |
| Incubation | 25–30°C for 48–72 hours (up to 5 days for slow-growing strains) |
| Storage (powder) | 15–30°C, dry, tightly sealed, protected from light |
| Storage (prepared plates) | 2–8°C; use within 4 weeks. For antibiotic-supplemented plates, 2–4 weeks. |
| HS Tariff Code | 3821.00.00 |
Formula — Per Litre (Cold Spring Harbor / BD Difco Reference)
| Ingredient | g / L | % | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yeast Extract | 10.0 | 1% | Complete B-vitamins, all amino acids, nucleotide precursors — ensures auxotrophs grow |
| Peptone (Enzymatic Digest of Animal Protein) | 20.0 | 2% | Primary nitrogen — free amino acids, peptides, minerals; supports doubling time ~90 min |
| Dextrose (D-Glucose) | 20.0 | 2% | Fermentable carbon source — primary energy via Crabtree fermentation in S. cerevisiae |
| Agar | 15.0 | 1.5% | Solidifying agent — 2% standard for yeast genetics; firmer plate for replica plating |
| Total | 70.0 g/L | — | pH 6.5 ± 0.2 at 25°C — Autoclave 121°C / 15 min |
⚠️ Note on dissolution: Dehydrated base (without dextrose addition) = 65 g/L per BD Difco. Total formula sum = 70 g/L. Some commercial preparations incorporate dextrose in the dehydrated powder (65 g/L dissolution); others recommend adding dextrose separately to avoid caramelisation during autoclaving. AS-1384 supplies dextrose incorporated in the dehydrated formula.
Preparation Protocol
1
Suspend 65 g of dehydrated YPD Agar (AS-1384) in 1 litre of purified or distilled water.
2
Heat with frequent agitation, bringing to a boil for 1 minute until completely dissolved.
3
Sterilise by autoclaving at 121°C for 15 minutes. Do not over-autoclave — dextrose caramelises with excessive heat, darkening the medium.
4
Cool to 50–55°C. If adding antibiotic supplements (G418, Hygromycin, etc.), add aseptically at this stage. Mix gently.
5
Pour approximately 25 mL per 90 mm Petri dish (slightly more than standard bacterial media — 2% agar benefits from extra depth for yeast work). Allow to solidify.
6
Dry plates at room temperature for 2–3 days before storing inverted at 2–8°C. Drying is important — wet plates cause yeast colony spreading and poor isolation.
Quality Control Organisms
| Organism (ATCC) | Inoculum | Incubation | Expected Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saccharomyces cerevisiae (9763) — WT | ≤100 CFU | 25–30°C / 48–72h | Good to luxuriant growth; cream-white colonies ✓ |
| Candida albicans (10231) | ≤100 CFU | 25–30°C / 48–72h | Good growth; cream smooth colonies ✓ |
| Aspergillus brasiliensis (16404) | ≤100 CFU | 25°C / 5 days | Good growth ✓ |
Literature & References
| # | Reference |
|---|---|
| 1 | Burke D, Dawson D, Stearns T. Methods in Yeast Genetics: A Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Course Manual. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press; 2000. [Primary reference — YPD formulation] |
| 2 | Sambrook J, Russell DW. Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 3rd ed. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press; 2001. [Standard YPD protocol for yeast work] |
| 3 | Guthrie C, Fink GR (eds). Methods in Enzymology Vol. 194: Guide to Yeast Genetics and Molecular Biology. Academic Press; 1991. |
| 4 | BD Difco & BBL Manual, 2nd ed. Becton Dickinson; 2009. YPD Agar, Cat. 242720. |
| 5 | ISO 11133:2014. Performance testing of culture media. Geneva: ISO; 2014. |
📄 Full 16-section GHS SDS available (Australian WHS Regulations 2023 / GHS 7th Edition) — support@ausamics.com.au
Section 1 — Identification
| Product Name | Yeast Extract Peptone Dextrose (YPD) Agar |
| Catalogue No. | AS-1384 |
| Supplier | AuSaMicS Pty Ltd | ABN 56 676 640 467 |
| Address | 31 Longview CT, Thomastown VIC 3074, Australia |
| Emergency | Poisons Information Centre: 13 11 26 (24 hr) |
| Phone | +61 412 520 598 | support@ausamics.com.au |
Section 2 — Hazard Identification (GHS 7th Ed / WHS 2023)
| GHS Classification | NOT classified as a hazardous substance under Australian WHS Regulations 2023. All components are food-grade at supplied concentrations. |
| Signal Word | None required |
| Other Hazards | Combustible dry powder. Dust may cause mild respiratory irritation. No significant chemical hazard at laboratory handling levels. |
Composition
| Component | g/L | CAS | Hazard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yeast Extract | 10.0 | 8013-01-2 | Not hazardous |
| Peptone | 20.0 | 73049-73-7 | Not hazardous |
| Dextrose (D-Glucose) | 20.0 | 50-99-7 | Not hazardous |
| Agar | 20.0 | 9002-18-0 | Not hazardous |
| PPE | P1 respirator when weighing bulk powder; safety glasses; nitrile gloves; lab coat |
| Waste (uninoculated) | General laboratory waste |
| Waste (inoculated) | Autoclave 121°C / 15 min before disposal as microbiological waste |
| Transport | Not dangerous goods — ADG, IMDG, IATA |
⚠️ Biosafety: S. cerevisiae wild-type is BSL-1. Recombinant or genetically modified yeast strains should be assigned the biosafety level of the inserted genetic material. Consult your biosafety officer for any recombinant yeast work and comply with OGTR requirements under the Gene Technology Act 2000 (Australia).
Quality Specifications
| Parameter | Specification | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance (powder) | Light beige to tan, free-flowing, homogeneous | Visual |
| Appearance (prepared agar) | Light to medium amber, slightly opalescent; firm 2% agar gel | Visual |
| pH (prepared, 25°C) | 6.5 ± 0.2 | pH meter (calibrated) |
| Dissolution | Complete at 65 g/L with boiling | Visual |
| Moisture Content | ≤5.0% (w/w) | Loss on drying |
| Growth — S. cerevisiae ATCC 9763 | Good to luxuriant; 25–30°C / 48–72h; ≤100 CFU | ISO 11133:2014 |
| Growth — C. albicans ATCC 10231 | Good growth; 25–30°C / 48–72h; ≤100 CFU | ISO 11133:2014 |
| Batch COA | Available every production lot | Included with every order |
Manufacturing & Documentation
Manufactured by AuSaMicS Pty Ltd
31 Longview CT, Thomastown VIC 3074, Australia | ABN 56 676 640 467
✓ Formulated per Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory / BD Difco 242720 reference specification
✓ Agar 20 g/L (2%) — standard for yeast genetics
✓ Batch QC per ISO 11133:2014 — pH, growth promotion, appearance
✓ COA, TDS, SDS included with every order
✓ Australian stock — same-week dispatch, no import delays
31 Longview CT, Thomastown VIC 3074, Australia | ABN 56 676 640 467
✓ Formulated per Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory / BD Difco 242720 reference specification
✓ Agar 20 g/L (2%) — standard for yeast genetics
✓ Batch QC per ISO 11133:2014 — pH, growth promotion, appearance
✓ COA, TDS, SDS included with every order
✓ Australian stock — same-week dispatch, no import delays
⚠️ For laboratory, research, industrial biotechnology, and educational use only. Not for food, medical, diagnostic, or therapeutic use.