Agar is a jelly-like substance obtained from red algae, used heavily as a solid medium for growing various microbes. Many specific formulations are available because some microbes prefer certain environmental conditions over others.
Columbia Agar - for the cultivation of fastidious microorganisms.
Preparation:
- Disperse 41 g in 1 L of deionized water.
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Soak for 10 minutes, swirl to mix, and sterilize by autoclaving for 15 minutes at 121oC.
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Cool to 47oC and add 5-7% of defibrinated blood.
- Mix before pouring into dishes and then dry the agar surface.
Typical g/L
pH: 7.3 ± 0.2
Columbia Peptone Mixture 23.0, Corn Starch 1.0,
Sodium chloride 5.0, Agar No. 2 12.0