Description
Malt Extract Agar (MEA)
What is MEA?
Malt Extract Agar Mix is a gelatinous medium widely used to cultivate, isolate, and manipulate fungi, yeast, and molds. It is also an effective method for the long-term maintenance of mushroom cultures. The uses of MEA include:
- Germinating spores
- Isolating a specific strain of mushroom
- Testing liquid culture
Why use Malt Extract Agar for growing mushroom cultures?
Malt Extract
Malt extract contains a high concentration of maltose, which provides an ideal environment for the growth of yeast and mold. This is due to its rich source of carbon, protein, and nitrogenous compounds that serve as energy for fungi growth.
Agar-Agar
Agar-Agar is extracted from various seaweeds, such as gracilaria and gelidium. It contains no animal ingredients and, due to its unique gel properties and stability, is used as a firming and thickening agent for Petri dish experimentation.
Please note that MEA is different from MYA. MEA is Malt Extract and Agar only, without Yeast included.
For more information, visit ourPre-Poured Agar Plates section and become an expert.
Quantity specifications:
These quantities are measured based on 60*15mm size Petri dishes:
The number of plates made will vary according to pouring techniques; we recommend using just enough to cover the surface of the petri dish.
- 21 gm makes 35 Agar Plates (Use 500ml of hot water)
- 42 gm makes 70 Agar Plates (Use 1000ml of hot water)
- 63 gm makes 105 Agar Plates (Use 1500ml of hot water)
- 84 gm makes 140 Agar Plates (Use 2000ml of hot water)
- 168gm makes 280 Agar Plates (Use 4000ml of hot water)
Instructions
- Dissolve your MEA packet in the specified ratio of hot water (e.g., 1000 ml water for 42 g of MEA) and stir thoroughly with a spoon. If you have a magnetic stirrer, it will mix the solution properly. The content needs to be poured slowly, not all at once.
- Autoclave or pressure cook for 15 minutes at 15 psi.
- Pour into Petri dishes when it reaches 50 degrees Celsius (approximately hot enough to hold the flask/jar with one hand), and let it set for 10 minutes. Do not stir the solution after removing it from the autoclave, as this would trap air bubbles.
- Once the Petri dishes are set, inoculate them and wrap them with parafilm. It is recommended to set the plates aside for a week to check for contamination.
- Petri dishes are best stored upside down to avoid condensation.
Don’t have a pressure cooker? No problem; message us, and we will send you detailed instructions on how to use a microwave for sterilizing along with your purchase. Please check our listing Make Agar Plates to see what you need. You would need a reagent bottle: a 500 ml reagent bottle if made in a microwave or a 1000 ml reagent bottle if using a sterilizer.
We rely on this mix to experiment with different varieties in our lab.
Check out our other listings to add liquid cultures and see more pre-mixes. We also sell other types of mushroom-growing equipment.
