DIAMALT AGAR (as per APHA)

Description

Fungi including yeasts and filamentous species or moulds are ubiquitously distributed in the environment. The association between fungal densities and organic loading suggests that fungi may be useful indicators of pollution. Fungi have also been found in potable water and on the inner surface of distribution system pipes. Of the total number of fungal colonies obtained from polluted waters, as many as 50% may be yeast colonies. Diamalt Agar is used for isolation and identification of yeast from water samples as recommended by APHA. Solid media such as Diamalt Agar is used for counting fungal colonies from various samples either directly by using pour plate method or spread plate method or following enrichment. Diamalt Agar is also useful in the purification of yeast isolates and for study of yeast species in various specified tests.