Yeasts and moulds · Pharmacopoeial broth
Sabouraud Dextrose Broth – enrichment broth for yeasts and moulds
Sabouraud Dextrose Broth is the liquid Sabouraud medium. In EP 2.6.13 and USP <62> it is used to enrich the sample in the test for Candida albicans, and it is also used for the cultivation of fungi and for sterility and growth-promotion tests.
- Enrichment in the Candida albicans test
- Cultivation of yeasts and moulds
- Low pH (5.6) favours fungi
How Sabouraud Dextrose Broth works
Peptones and dextrose support fungal growth at an acid pH. In the pharmacopoeial test, the sample is enriched in the broth at 30–35 °C and then subcultured on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar for typical C. albicans colonies.
Typical reactions
| Organism | Growth |
| Candida albicans | Turbid growth |
| Aspergillus brasiliensis | White mycelium with black spores |
Technical data
| Preparation | 30 g/L; boil to dissolve, autoclave 121 °C 15 min |
| Final pH | 5.6 ± 0.2 |
| Incubation | Yeasts 30–35 °C, 48 h; moulds 20–25 °C, 3–5 days |
| Storage | Dry, dark place; keep the container tightly closed |
| Shelf life | 3 years unopened |
Applications and practical notes
In pharmaceutical microbiology, Sabouraud media are used for the total yeast and mould count (TYMC) and for the test for Candida albicans in non-sterile products according to EP 2.6.12 / 2.6.13 and USP <61> / <62>. Typical applications include:
- Total yeast and mould count (TYMC) of non-sterile products
- Test for Candida albicans
- Cosmetics and personal-care products
- Growth-promotion testing with reference strains
Working with Sabouraud Dextrose Broth: Dispense the broth in suitable volumes before autoclaving and check sterility on a few tubes from each batch.
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.
Sabouraud Dextrose Broth is supplied by COLO.Science in the pack sizes listed under Ordering information. For larger quantities, regular deliveries or method-specific sets that include Sabouraud Dextrose Broth, please send us a request. With every delivery of Sabouraud Dextrose Broth you receive the lot number and expiry date, and on request we send the available documentation for Sabouraud Dextrose Broth.
Where Sabouraud Dextrose Broth 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sabouraud Dextrose Broth | PRO7475 | 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.
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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.
