Indoor Air sciences CSMI Practice Exam

What type of agar media is considered optimal for culturing mold?

1. TSA

2. R2Ac

3. Hezut Infusion Blood Agar

4. MEA and Potato Dextrose

The correct answer is: MEA and Potato Dextrose

The optimal types of agar media for culturing mold are MEA (Malt Extract Agar) and Potato Dextrose Agar. These media are specifically formulated to promote the growth of fungi, particularly molds, while suppressing the growth of bacteria. MEA contains malt extract, which is rich in carbohydrates and provides an excellent nutrient source for filamentous fungi. It supports a wide range of mold species and allows for good conidia and hyphal development. Similarly, Potato Dextrose Agar contains potato infusion and dextrose, which also offer abundant nutrients to stimulate fungal growth. The slightly acidic pH of these media aids in limiting bacterial contamination, making them ideal for isolating and studying molds. In comparison, the other types of media listed do not provide the best growth conditions for molds. TSA (Tryptic Soy Agar), while versatile for various microorganisms, does not specifically favor fungal growth. R2Ac (R2A Agar) is designed for heterotrophic bacteria and not optimized for molds. Hezut Infusion Blood Agar is primarily used for culturing bacteria, specifically to support fastidious organisms, rather than fungi. Thus, MEA and Potato Dextrose Agar are the preferred choices for actively culturing mold due to their nutrient composition