Candida · Chromogenic agar
Chromogenic Candida Agar – direct colour differentiation of Candida
Chromogenic Candida Agar is a selective medium on which Candida albicans forms green to blue-green colonies. Other Candida species form colonies of different colours, which allows a presumptive identification directly from the plate.
- C. albicans: green to blue-green colonies
- Other Candida species in other colours
- No autoclaving – heat to boiling only
How Chromogenic Candida Agar works
Chromogenic substrates are split by species-specific enzymes, and the released dyes colour the colonies. Chloramphenicol suppresses bacteria. Plates are read after 48 to 72 hours at 30–35 °C.
Typical colony appearance
| Organism | Colonies |
| Candida albicans | Green to blue-green colonies |
| Other Candida species | Other colours (e.g. pink, purple, white) |
| E. coli | Inhibited |
Technical data
| Preparation | 47.7 g/L; boil with stirring until dissolved, cool to 50–55 °C and pour plates (no autoclaving) |
| Final pH | 6.3 ± 0.2 |
| Incubation | 30–35 °C, 48–72 h |
| Storage | Powder 2–30 °C, dry and dark; prepared plates 2–8 °C up to 1 week |
| Shelf life | 2 years (sealed powder) |
Applications and practical notes
Selective and identification media for Candida species are used in clinical, pharmaceutical and research laboratories to recognise Candida albicans and other yeasts. Typical applications include:
- Recognition of Candida albicans in mixed cultures
- Differentiation of Candida species
- Pharmaceutical and clinical-environmental samples
- Research and teaching
Working with Chromogenic Candida Agar: Protect the plates from light and read the colour within the stated time, because colours can change on longer incubation.
Good practice with dehydrated media: keep the bottle tightly closed in a cool, dry place, weigh the powder quickly to avoid moisture uptake, and use fresh distilled or deionised water. Check the pH of each new batch after preparation and before use, and label prepared media with the date. Performance of each lot can be verified with reference strains according to ISO 11133, the standard for the preparation, production, storage and performance testing of culture media.
About yeast and mould methods: in the food chain, yeasts and moulds are counted by spread plating on DRBC Agar for products with a water activity above 0.95 according to ISO 21527-1, and on DG18 Agar for drier products according to ISO 21527-2. The FDA BAM Chapter 18 describes similar plate count methods. In pharmaceutical microbiology, the total yeast and mould count (TYMC) and the test for Candida albicans use Sabouraud media according to EP 2.6.12 / 2.6.13 and USP <61> / <62>. COLO.Science offers counting media, identification media, supplements and reference strains for every step.
Complete sets from one supplier: COLO.Science supplies culture media, supplements, rapid tests, identification kits and QC strains as complete sets for the method you follow. Send us your sample types and standards, and we will prepare an offer with the matching products and documentation.
Chromogenic Candida Agar is supplied by COLO.Science in the pack sizes listed under Ordering information. For larger quantities, regular deliveries or method-specific sets that include Chromogenic Candida Agar, please send us a request. With every delivery of Chromogenic Candida Agar you receive the lot number and expiry date, and on request we send the available documentation for Chromogenic Candida Agar.
Where Chromogenic Candida Agar fits in yeast and mould testing
- Food and feed counts – DRBC Agar for aw > 0.95 (ISO 21527-1) and DG18 Agar for aw ≤ 0.95 (ISO 21527-2); alternatives: Rose Bengal Chloramphenicol, PDA with chloramphenicol, YGC for dairy products
- Pharmaceutical products – Sabouraud Dextrose Agar and Broth for TYMC and the Candida albicans test (EP 2.6.12 / 2.6.13, USP <61> / <62>)
- Cultivation and identification – PDA, Malt Extract and Czapek-Dox Agar for moulds; Corn Meal, chromogenic Candida and BIGGY Agar, Yeast Nitrogen Base for yeasts
- Fermentation and QC – WL Nutrient, Wort Agar and YPD for brewing and culture yeasts; C. albicans and A. brasiliensis reference strains for media testing
See the complete yeast and mould set in the Microbiology Catalogue →
Ordering information
| Product | COLO code | Pack |
|---|---|---|
| Chromogenic Candida Agar | PRO7591 | 500 g |
Product notice: preparation, storage conditions and shelf life are given on the label. Technical data on this page are for orientation; the label and the lot documentation apply. B2B prices are quoted net, excluding VAT.
Sales and technical support
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Quotations and technical support for culture media and microbiology products across our international sales territory. B2B prices are net, excluding VAT.
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Need the complete set for your method?
Send the sample type, target organism and the standard you follow. COLO.Science will put together the media, supplements, QC strains and confirmation tests for the whole procedure.
