Candida · Chlamydospore agar
Corn Meal Agar – chlamydospore test for Candida albicans
Corn Meal Agar is a nutrient-poor medium that stimulates Candida albicans to form chlamydospores and pseudohyphae. With polysorbate 80 (Tween 80) added, it is used for the morphological identification of yeasts.
- Chlamydospore formation by C. albicans
- Morphological identification of yeasts
- Use with Polysorbate 80 Supplement
How Corn Meal Agar works
The low nutrient content triggers the formation of pseudohyphae and chlamydospores. The yeast is streaked into the agar, covered with a cover slip and examined under the microscope after incubation at about 25 °C.
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 Corn Meal Agar: Cut the inoculum into the agar under a cover slip, because chlamydospores form best under reduced oxygen.
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.
Corn Meal 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 Corn Meal Agar, please send us a request. With every delivery of Corn Meal Agar you receive the lot number and expiry date, and on request we send the available documentation for Corn Meal Agar.
Where Corn Meal 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Corn Meal Agar | PRO7463 | 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.
