Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (EP) - BioReagent

Cat. No.: S1528287

GRADE & PURITY BioReagent

Storage

Room temperature

Shipped In

Normal

Übersicht

For mold and yeast testing. Preparation method: Weigh 65.0 g of this product in 1 L of purified water, stir and heat to boiling until completely dissolved, dispense, autoclave at 121°C for 15 minutes, and set aside for use.

Specifications

Spezifikationen & Reinheit

BioReagent

Storage

Room temperature

Verschickt in

Normal

Note

BioReagent

Product Line

Biologische Produkte

Application Protocols

General, literature-based protocols (adapt to your SOPs; not item specifications)

A. Preparation of plates

• Calculate volume and mass: Determine liters needed and weigh the manufacturer-recommended mass per liter (exact for this item is Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet. Literature-typical: ~65 g/L).
• Dissolve: Add to purified water, heat with stirring to near boiling until fully dissolved.
• Sterilize: Autoclave 121 °C, 15 min. Balance loads to ensure proper sterilization.
• Pour: Cool to 45–50 °C; pour 18–25 mL per 90-mm plate in a sterile environment. Allow to set. Dry plates to remove surface condensation. Store inverted at 2–8 °C in sealed sleeves.

B. Inoculation and incubation

• Inoculate: Streak, spread, or roll contact samples as per method. For enumeration, use calibrated swabs or spread 0.1 mL of appropriate dilution.
• Incubation: For yeasts, 30–35 °C for 24–72 h; for molds/dermatophytes, 20–30 °C for up to 7–10 days. Record incubation conditions.

C. Selective supplementation (optional)

• Antibiotics: Add sterile-filtered chloramphenicol or gentamicin to cooled (45–50 °C) molten medium at validated concentrations to suppress bacteria. For dermatophyte isolation, cycloheximide may be added (ensure compliance with safety and method requirements).

D. QC and documentation

• Perform growth promotion testing with compendial strains. Verify pH, sterility (negative controls), and plate fill volume. Record lot numbers, preparation date, and expiration.

Dispose of used plates by autoclaving before discarding according to institutional biosafety procedures.

Biological Roles

Scope

• Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) has no intrinsic biological role as a metabolite or ligand; rather, it functions as a supportive matrix supplying nutrients to cultured organisms.

Functional biology of the medium (literature)

• Carbon metabolism: Dextrose serves as a readily assimilable carbon and energy source for yeasts and many molds, driving rapid growth and colony development.
• Nitrogen and growth factors: Peptones (enzymatic digests of proteins) provide amino acids, peptides, vitamins, and minerals essential for anabolic processes in fungi.
• pH-mediated selection: The typically acidic pH (~5.6) reduces the growth rate of many bacteria while being well tolerated by fungi, thereby enriching for yeasts/molds in mixed samples.
• Structural support: Agar forms a thermo-reversible hydrogel, creating a semi-solid surface that supports distinct colony morphology, sporulation, and subculturing.

Use in microbiological workflows (literature)

• Recovery and enumeration: SDA is commonly used to recover Candida spp., Aspergillus spp., dermatophytes, and other environmental molds/yeasts in research and quality control contexts.
• Phenotypic observation: Colony color, texture, margin, and sporulation patterns on SDA provide phenotypic cues for preliminary identification, which should be confirmed by microscopy and/or molecular methods as appropriate.

Notes

• Because growth performance depends on preparation quality (pH, sterilization, plate drying) and incubation parameters, laboratories should perform growth promotion testing with defined reference strains to verify suitability for intended use.

Buffer Applications

Not applicable as a buffer system.

• Sabouraud Dextrose Agar is not a dedicated buffering reagent and is not used to prepare defined buffer solutions for biochemistry or electrophoresis. While the medium has a characteristic acidic pH (literature: ~5.6 in the prepared medium), it lacks a discrete buffering component with known pKa/pH range and is not appropriate for buffer preparation.
• For applications requiring specific pH control or buffering capacity, use established buffer systems (e.g., citrate, phosphate, Tris) prepared separately and validated for the assay.

Green Alternatives

Context

• As a microbiological medium, Sabouraud Dextrose Agar is not a solvent or synthetic reagent; “green alternatives” considerations focus on sustainability of components, energy usage in preparation/sterilization, and waste minimization rather than chemical substitution.

Sustainability considerations (literature/practice)

• Agar source: Agar is derived from renewable red algae. Preference for responsibly sourced agar and suppliers with sustainable harvesting practices can reduce environmental impact.
• Energy use: Media preparation and sterilization consume energy. Batch-sizing to match demand, using pressure cookers/autoclaves with validated, efficient cycles, and minimizing idle time can reduce energy consumption.
• Waste reduction: Prepare only the volume needed; adopt smaller batch pours to decrease expired-plate discards. Decontaminate via autoclave and segregate waste properly to facilitate compliant disposal.
• Water stewardship: Use water efficiently when cleaning glassware and during sterilization (e.g., vacuum-assisted drying vs prolonged flushing). Consider closed-loop cooling where appropriate.

Alternatives and trade-offs (literature)

• Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) or Malt Extract Agar (MEA) are alternative fungal media. They may improve recovery of certain taxa but are not inherently “greener”; each has different nutrient sources and ecological impacts.
• Ready-to-use sterile plates can reduce on-site energy use (no autoclave run for media), but increase packaging and shipping impact. Conversely, in-house preparation reduces packaging waste but increases energy usage; select based on local infrastructure and waste streams.

Conclusion

• Optimize preparation scale, sterilization efficiency, and sourcing to improve environmental footprint without compromising microbiological performance.

Pharmaceutical Uses

Scope and item-specific constraints

• For research use only (from Product Data). No medical or clinical claims are made.

Context in pharmaceutical quality control (literature)

• Role: Sabouraud Dextrose Agar is widely used in pharmaceutical microbiology for environmental monitoring and bioburden testing where recovery of yeasts and molds is required (e.g., settle plates, contact plates, surface swabs, personnel monitoring). It is also used in growth promotion testing (GPT) to verify the performance of media and methods.
• EP relevance: The “(EP)” designation indicates alignment with European Pharmacopoeia context. Actual compendial compliance for this specific item is Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet. When applicable, EP-aligned media support compendial tests including microbial enumeration of non-sterile products and environmental monitoring programs.
• Validation: In GMP settings, each lot of medium should undergo GPT with defined challenge organisms (e.g., Candida albicans, Aspergillus brasiliensis) according to compendial chapters (EP/USP/JP) and internal SOPs. Storage, transport, and in-use shelf-life must be controlled and documented.
• Form factors: SDA may be used as poured plates, slants, or deeps depending on workflow. Where contact plates or gamma-irradiated sterile plates are required, ensure the format meets facility and regulatory specifications.

Limitations

• Not an excipient and not part of finished dosage formulations. Its use is limited to microbiological testing and environmental monitoring contexts in research and quality control laboratories.

Physical Properties

Item-specific facts (from Product Data)

• Appearance: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
• Molecular weight / formula: Not applicable to a mixture; not specified for this item.

General properties (literature; typical for dehydrated SDA)

• Physical state: Dehydrated, free-flowing powdered medium that dissolves upon heating in water and gels on cooling due to agar.
• Solubility: Dispersible in water; requires heating to near boiling to fully dissolve. Insoluble in most organic solvents. Prepared medium solidifies as a gel upon cooling (~35–45 °C range) and melts at elevated temperatures (agar gel typically melts ~85–95 °C; sets ~32–40 °C; literature ranges depend on agar grade).
• pH of prepared medium: Typically ~5.6 ± 0.2 at 25 °C (literature; medium-dependent).
• Density/bulk density (powder): Vendor- and lot-dependent; Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
• Refractive index, logP, pKa: Not applicable/relevant for a composite culture medium.

Use-relevant behavior (literature)

• Gel strength: Determined by agar content and quality; supports discrete fungal and yeast colony morphology for isolation and enumeration.
• Thermal stability: Dehydrated powder is stable at ambient lab temperatures when kept dry. Prepared plates are heat-labile and should not be exposed to >50 °C for prolonged periods to avoid dehydration and media shrinkage.

Important

• Do not treat literature values as specifications. For lot-specific targets/tolerances (e.g., pH, gel strength), see the product’s CoA/Spec Sheet.

Quality and Grades

Item-specific facts (from Product Data)

• Grade: BioReagent.
• EP designation: The product name includes “(EP)”. Specific compendial conformance details are Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.

What BioReagent grade implies (general)

• BioReagent denotes suitability for biological and microbiological research, emphasizing controlled bioburden, consistent nutrient performance, and reproducible gel properties. It is not equivalent to clinical/diagnostic grade unless stated by the manufacturer.

About EP (European Pharmacopoeia) context (literature)

• EP-listed media are typically formulated and tested to meet European Pharmacopoeia criteria relevant to microbiological quality control (e.g., growth promotion testing, indicative pH, selectivity). For Sabouraud Dextrose Agar, compendial expectations commonly include:
  • Performance: Supportive growth of representative fungi/yeasts (e.g., Candida albicans, Aspergillus brasiliensis) and suppression of fastidious bacteria inherent to the medium’s acidity (literature guidance; consult current EP for specifics).
  • Physicochemical attributes: Target pH around 5.6 at 25 °C and specified gel performance (literature).

Lot-specific verification

• For definitive confirmation of EP-related attributes (growth-promotion organisms, acceptance criteria, pH targets, sterility, and composition tolerances), consult the lot CoA/Spec Sheet and, where applicable, vendor’s Quality Statement.

Stabilizers/antimicrobials

• No stabilizers or antibiotics are indicated in Product Data. If antibiotic-supplemented variants are needed (e.g., with chloramphenicol or gentamicin), these are usually prepared as add-ons at time of use; follow validated SOPs.

Reaction and Applications

Item-specific facts (from Product Data)

• Intended use: Research use only.

Applications in microbiology (literature/practice)

• Primary use: Cultivation, isolation, and enumeration of yeasts and filamentous fungi from clinical, environmental, food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical samples. The acidic pH and high dextrose content favor fungal growth while inhibiting many bacteria.
• Selective variants: Supplementation with antibiotics (e.g., chloramphenicol, gentamicin) increases selectivity by suppressing bacterial contaminants; cycloheximide can be added to inhibit many saprophytic fungi when targeting dermatophytes. Such supplements should be validated and documented in SOPs.
• Mycological workflows:
  • Environmental monitoring and bioburden testing in GMP settings (settle plates, contact plates, surface swabs; per compendial methods where applicable).
  • Recovery of dermatophytes from skin, hair, and nails; isolation of Candida spp. and molds from clinical specimens (for research/lab investigations only).
  • Enumeration of yeasts/molds in food and cosmetics per recognized standards (e.g., ISO methods; ensure method alignment with regulatory guidance).
• Practical tips:
  • Use freshly prepared plates, dried to remove surface moisture for optimal colony morphology.
  • Incubate at temperatures appropriate to the target organism: yeasts commonly 30–35 °C for 24–72 h; molds 20–30 °C for up to 7–10 days (literature ranges; set per method).
  • Record batch/lot, preparation date, and perform growth promotion testing with defined strains for QC.

Note: This product is a culture medium, not a chemical reagent for synthetic reactions.

Reaction Conditions

Not a chemical reaction reagent; conditions below pertain to medium preparation and use (literature general guidance, not item specifications).

Preparation (typical literature procedure)

• Water quality: Use purified/deionized water suitable for microbiological media.
• Reconstitution: Suspend the manufacturer-recommended mass of dehydrated medium per liter of water. Exact mass for this item is Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet. Literature-typical total solids are around 65 g/L for standard SDA formulations.
• Dissolution: Heat with frequent agitation to boiling until completely dissolved.
• Sterilization: Autoclave at 121 °C for 15 minutes (standard gravity-displacement cycle) unless otherwise specified. Do not overheat to avoid caramelization of dextrose and degradation of nutrients.
• Post-sterilization: Cool to 45–50 °C, mix gently to avoid bubbles, and dispense into sterile Petri dishes or tubes. Allow plates to solidify and, if needed, dry with lids ajar in a biosafety cabinet until surface moisture is minimized.

Incubation (use conditions; literature ranges)

• Yeasts: 30–35 °C for 24–72 hours depending on species and inoculum.
• Molds/dermatophytes: 20–30 °C for 3–10 days (some dermatophytes may require longer).

Quality checks

• pH verification at 25 °C and growth promotion testing with appropriate strains should be performed per SOPs/compendial guidance.

Note: Treat all prepared media and cultures according to biosafety regulations.

Safety and Handling

Item-specific facts (from Product Data)

• GHS classification, signal word, pictograms, H-statements: Not specified for this item; refer to SDS.
• Storage: Room temperature; ship under normal conditions.
• Research use: For research use only.

General safety guidance (literature/practice)

• Hazard profile: Dehydrated microbiological media are generally of low chemical hazard but can cause mechanical irritation as dust. Use in a biological context introduces biohazard risks from cultivated organisms.
• PPE: Wear lab coat, safety glasses, and appropriate gloves. Use a dust mask/respirator if handling bulk powder that may aerosolize (consult SDS for exposure limits).
• Handling: Avoid generating dust. Prepare media in well-ventilated areas or fume hood when heating/boiling to minimize exposure to hot vapors and aerosols.
• Incompatibilities: Keep dry; avoid contact with strong oxidizers. Hydroscopic uptake of moisture can cause clumping and performance variability.
• Thermal operations: Heat gently while stirring to dissolve; watch for bumping. Use heat-resistant gloves when handling hot media.
• Biohazard management: Treat all used plates and cultures as potentially infectious. Autoclave at 121 °C for ≥15–20 minutes (or per institutional biosafety procedures) before disposal. Disinfect work surfaces with appropriate biocides (e.g., 70% ethanol, quaternary ammonium, or bleach) after use.
• First aid (overview): Inhalation of dust—move to fresh air; eye contact—rinse cautiously with water; skin contact—wash with soap and water; ingestion—rinse mouth. Seek medical attention if irritation persists. Defer to SDS for authoritative instructions.

Always consult the product SDS and your institution’s biosafety guidelines for definitive safety information.

Solvent Selection

Not typically applicable.

• Sabouraud Dextrose Agar is a dehydrated culture medium, not used as an organic solvent or reaction medium. Selection considerations instead concern water quality for reconstitution (e.g., purified/deionized water meeting microbiological media preparation standards) and sterilization methods.
• For practical purposes, use freshly produced deionized or distilled water with low TOC and low endotoxin/bioburden when the prepared medium is used for sensitive microbiological QC. Avoid hard or chlorinated water that can alter gel strength or pH.

Storage and Reconstitution

Item-specific facts (from Product Data)

• Storage conditions (dehydrated powder): Room temperature.
• Shipping: Normal.

Reconstitution (general literature guidance; not item specifications)

• Mass per liter: Follow the label/CoA for this product. Exact value for this item is Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet. As a literature example, standard SDA formulations often use approximately 65 g/L total solids (e.g., peptone ~10 g/L, dextrose ~40 g/L, agar ~15 g/L), yielding pH ~5.6 at 25 °C after sterilization.
• Procedure: Add the weighed powder to purified water, heat with stirring to dissolve completely, adjust volume, and autoclave at 121 °C for 15 minutes. Cool to 45–50 °C before pouring plates or preparing slants.

Storage after preparation (literature)

• Plates: Store inverted in sealed sleeves at 2–8 °C, protected from light and dehydration. Typical in-use shelf-life is method- and facility-dependent; validate and assign expiration per QC data.
• Slants/deeps: Store at 2–8 °C with caps tightened to prevent drying. Avoid freezing which disrupts the agar matrix.

Handling notes

• Keep dehydrated powder tightly closed and dry; avoid humidity to prevent clumping and performance drift.
• Re-melt agar only as necessary; repeated melting can reduce gel strength and darken the medium.
• Always record preparation dates, lot numbers, and assign expiry based on growth promotion testing and local SOPs.

Structure and Identity

Item-specific facts (from Product Data)

• Product: Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (EP)
• SKU: S1528287
• Grade: BioReagent
• Storage: Room temperature; shipped under normal conditions
• CAS / InChIKey / SMILES: Not applicable — complex dehydrated culture medium (mixture)
• Molecular formula / Molecular weight: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.

General description (literature)

• Nature: Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) is a defined-purpose, dehydrated microbiological medium formulated to support the cultivation and enumeration of yeasts and filamentous fungi. It is not a single molecule but a composite of nutrients and a gelling agent.
• Functional components (typical, literature):
  • Carbon source: Dextrose (glucose)
  • Nitrogen/ growth factors: Peptones (casein/animal origin, enzymatic digest)
  • Gelling matrix: Agar (polysaccharide from red algae)
  • pH: Acidic, typically around pH 5.6 at 25 °C (literature) to suppress many bacteria and favor fungi.
• Structural features in 2D terms: As a mixture, there is no single 2D structure. In the prepared medium, agar forms a three-dimensional hydrogel network that immobilizes dissolved glucose and peptidic nutrients and supports colony formation on the surface.

Notes

• Because this is a mixture, conventional single-compound identifiers (InChI, SMILES) do not apply.
• For exact composition, lot-specific performance, and compendial attributes, consult the product’s CoA/Spec Sheet.

Synthetic Utility

Not applicable to chemical synthesis.

• Sabouraud Dextrose Agar is a biological culture medium and does not serve as a reagent/intermediate in organic or inorganic synthesis. There are no relevant functional-group transformations or named reactions associated with this product.

Relevant lab utility (literature)

• While not synthetic, SDA provides a reproducible platform for culturing fungi and yeasts used in biotransformations or enzyme production research. In such contexts, SDA can be used for isolation and maintenance of strains prior to liquid-culture scale-up in defined fermentation media.

Target Specificity

Not applicable.

• This product is not an antibody, probe, or affinity reagent. There are no antigen/epitope targets, species reactivity, clones, or isotypes associated with Sabouraud Dextrose Agar.