Mycosel Agar

Intended Use

Mycosel Agar is a highly selective medium containing cycloheximide and chloramphenicol. It is recommended for the isolation of pathogenic fungi from materials having a large amount of flora of other fungi and bacteria.^1,2 BBL™ prepared plates of Mycosel Agar are deep-filled to reduce the effects of drying during prolonged incubation.

Summary and Explanation

Mycosel Agar was developed by using the ingredients of Mycophil Agar as a nutritive base to which cycloheximide and chloramphenicol were added as selective agents. It is widely used for the isolation of fungi from a variety of sources, and is recommended for the recovery of dermatophytes.³

User Quality Control

Identity Specifications
Mycosel Agar
Dehydrated Appearance: Fine, homogeneous, free of extraneous material.
Solution:                       3.6% solution, soluble in purified water upon boiling. Solution is light to medium, yellow to tan, clear to moderately hazy.
Prepared Appearance:     Light to medium, yellow to tan, clear to moderately hazy.
Reaction of 3.6%
Solution at 25°C:           pH 6.9 ± 0.2
Cultural Response

Mycosel Agar
Prepare the medium per label directions. Inoculate with fresh cultures and incubate at 25 ± 2°C for 7 days.

Principles of the Procedure

The nutritive properties of Mycosel Agar are supplied by the peptone prepared from soybean meal. Dextrose is an energy source for the metabolism of fungi. Cycloheximide inhibits
most saprophytic molds. Chloramphenicol is a broad-spectrum antibiotic which inhibits a wide range of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.

Formula

Mycosel Agar
Approximate Formula* Per Liter
Papaic Digest of Soybean Meal................................... 10.0 g
Dextrose................................................................. 10.0 g
Agar....................................................................... 15.5 g
Cycloheximide........................................................... 0.4 g
Chloramphenicol...................................................... 0.05 g
*Adjusted and/or supplemented as required to meet performance criteria.

Directions for Preparation from Dehydrated Product

1. Suspend 36 g of the powder in 1 L of purified water. Mix thoroughly.
2. Heat with frequent agitation just until the medium boils, to completely dissolve the powder.
3. Autoclave at 118°C for 15 minutes. Avoid overheating.
4. Test samples of the finished product for performance using stable, typical control cultures.

Procedure

Consult appropriate references for information about the processing and inoculation of specimens.1-3 For isolation of fungi from potentially contaminated specimens, a nonselective medium should be inoculated along with the selective medium. Incubate the containers at 25-30°C with increased humidity. For isolation of fungi causing systemic mycoses, two sets of media should be inoculated, with one set incubated at 25-30°C and a duplicate set at 35 ± 2°C. All cultures should be examined at least weekly for fungal growth and should be held for 4-6 weeks before being reported as negative.

Expected Results

After sufficient incubation, the plates and Mycoflask bottles should show isolated colonies in streaked areas and confluent growth in areas of heavy inoculation. Examine containers for fungal colonies exhibiting typical color and morphology.⁴ Biochemical tests and serological procedures should be performed to confirm findings.

Limitation of the Procedure

Some fungi may be inhibited by the antibiotics in this medium.⁵

*Store at 2-8°C.

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