Malt extract agar is recommended for the detection, isolation, and enumeration of yeasts and molds. The acidic pH of the medium supports the growth of Yeasts and Molds while it suppresses the growth of bacterial flora. The addition of certain indicator dyes to the medium allows differentiation of yeast and bacterial colonies. Furthermore, a modified malt extract agar is recommended for the selective cultivation of Aspergillus flavus.

Appearance (clearness): clear to slightly opalescent

Appearance (color): brown

pH-value (25 °C): 5.4 - 5.8

Growth promotion test in accordance with the current version of DIN EN ISO 11133.

Inoculum on reference medium (Candida albicans ATCC 10231 (WDCM 00054)):

Inoculum on reference medium (Saccharomyces cerevisiae ATCC 9763 (WDCM 00058)):

Inoculum on reference medium (Saccharomyces cerevisiae ATCC 9080):

Inoculum on reference medium (Rhodotorula mucilaginosa DSM 70403):

Colony count (Candida albicans ATCC 10231 (WDCM 00054)):

Colony count (Saccharomyces cerevisiae ATCC 9763 (WDCM 00058)):

Colony count (Saccharomyces cerevisiae ATCC 9080):

Colony count (Rhodotorula mucilaginosa DSM 70403):

Recovery on test medium (Candida albicans ATCC 10231 (WDCM 00054)): ≥ 70 %

Recovery on test medium (Saccharomyces cerevisiae ATCC 9763 (WDCM 00058)): ≥ 70 %

Recovery on test medium (Saccharomyces cerevisiae ATCC 9080): ≥ 70 %

Recovery on test medium (Rhodotorula mucilaginosa DSM 70403): ≥ 70 %

Growth (Geotrichum candidum DSM 1240): good to very good

Growth (Penicillium commune ATCC 10428): good to very good

Growth (Aspergillus brasiliensis (formerly A. niger) ATCC 16404 (WDCM 00053)): good to very good

Growth (Trichophyton ajelloi ATCC 28454): moderate to good

Incubation: Molds 7 days at 26 ± 2 °C, Yeasts 3 days, aerobic

A recovery rate of 70 % is equivalent to a productivity value of 0.7.

The indicated colony counts result from the sum of a triple determination.