Agar strips SDX Yeasts and molds (941205) [Pack of 50]

Description

HYCON® Agar Strips SDX are ready-to-use culture media for assessment of airborne yeast and molds with HYCON® Microbial Air Samplers, i.e. RCS® High Flow Touch, RCS® High Flow, RCS® Plus, RCS® Plus Ex, RCS® and Standard.

Each agar strip is individually sealed in the transparent, primary package. The agar is filled in a flexible backing film. The formulation of the basic medium is a Sabouraud Dextrose Agar, supplemented with antibiotics for inhibition of the accompanying bacterial flora.

Mode of Action
Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDX; SDA) is a complex medium for cultivation and isolation of a wide range of yeasts and molds. Dextrose supports the growth of fungi. The medium is supplemented with chloramphenicol and chlortetracycline to inhibit the accompanying bacterial flora.

Typical Composition
Enzymatic digest of casein: 10 g/l
Dextrose: 20 g/l
Agar: 20 g/l
Selective mix (chloramphenicol, chlortetracycline)
Supplements: buffer

The appearance of the medium is clear and yellowish. The pH value is in the range of 6.8 to 7.2. The medium can be adjusted and/or supplemented according to the performance criteria required.

Application and Interpretation
Prior to use the agar strip should be equilibrated to room temperature. Please check each agar strip before use to verify sterility and take care on aseptic handling in order to avoid false positive results. Contaminated or dehydrated agar strips shouldnot be used for sampling.

Open the wrapper approximately at 1/3 by pealing back the plastic seal at the rounded side of the wrapper. Remove the agar strip with the coated side facing downwards. Insert the agar strip into the opening of the rotor, or the impeller drum according to the directions outlined in the user manual of the respective microbial air sampler.

Place the instrument into required position, choose the appropriate sample volume and start the air sampling procedure. When sampling is finished, remove the agar strip and place it back into the original wrapper. Seal the wrapper with an adhesive tape or Cover Slides. Label the wrapper e.g. with a waterproof pen for identification.

The closed agar strips are transferred to an incubator. Several recommendations are given by different guidelines for incubation: according to USP <1116> the agar media used for environmental monitoring should be incubated between 20 and 35 °C for not less than 72 hours.

According to the FDA Aseptic Guide the agar strips for determination of the total yeast and mold count should be incubated at 20 to 25 °C for 5 to 7 days. Individual incubation conditions can be chosen and should be validated at the application site. Finally, the number of CFU per slide is examined.

Grown colonies may be identified using suitable methods related to root cause analysis programs or to support sanitizing management.

Important Notes

• Practice aseptic technique when handling agar strips.

• The coated surface of the agar strips should face down during incubation in order to avoid the formation of satellites by condensing water.

Storage
The product can be used until the expiry date if stored in the original box, protected from light and properly sealed at the temperature range indicated on the box label. The total shelf from the date of production is 6 months.
Condensation can be prevented by avoiding quick temperature shifts and mechanical stress.

Upon storage agar strips should not be placed near heat sources such as refrigerators with heat-emitting condensers. Boxes should
be stored with the coated side of the agar strip facing downwards.

Disposal
Please mind the respective regulations for the disposal of used culture medium (e.g. autoclave for 20 min at 121°C, disinfect, incinerate etc.).