Malt Extract Agar H
Also known as：MEA
For the isolation, cultivation, and enumeration of yeasts and moulds, and for the maintenance of fungal cultures.
- Category
- Dehydrated Culture Media
- Dissolve per litre
- 50 g
- Pack sizes
- 500 g · 5 kg · 25 kg
- Certifications
- ISO 22000 · Halal
Data updated：2026-11-07
Brand cross-reference：BD Difco Malt Extract Agar · Oxoid Malt Extract Agar · Merck Malt Extract Agar Brand cross-reference
Overview
Malt Extract Agar H is an agar (solid) medium, a standard formulation for cultivating yeasts and moulds. It is malt-extract based and close to a brewing environment, used to cultivate and maintain yeasts and moulds. STBIO manufactures it from food-grade raw materials in an ISO 22000 certified facility, with a COA for every batch. This is the Halal-certified version.
Principle
Malt Extract Agar is a general-purpose medium for yeasts and moulds and is widely used as a standard medium for the cultivation and identification of fungi.¹ Malt extract supplies maltose and other carbohydrates, together with vitamins and growth factors, and mycological peptone provides nitrogen and amino acids. The acidic reaction of the medium favours the growth of fungi while restricting many bacteria. Where bacterial contamination is heavy, the medium may be acidified with lactic acid to increase selectivity; because acid hydrolyses the agar, the acidified medium must not be reheated. The medium supports good sporulation and characteristic colony morphology, and is suitable for the maintenance of stock cultures of yeasts and moulds.²
Choosing a medium for yeasts and moulds
Potato Dextrose Agar and Sabouraud Dextrose Agar are the two general-purpose media most often used for yeasts and moulds. The former promotes mycelial growth and sporulation for morphological work; the latter's low pH itself suppresses bacteria. Malt-based media suit the cultivation and maintenance of yeasts, while the Czapek range is used for the taxonomy of filamentous fungi such as Aspergillus. Broths are for propagation, agars for enumeration and isolation.
Directions
Suspend 50 g of powder in 1 L of purified water. Heat with continuous stirring and bring to the boil for 1 minute. Sterilize by autoclaving at 115°C for 10 minutes. Avoid overheating. Cool to 45-50°C. Where greater selectivity is required, acidify the cooled medium to pH 3.5 with sterile 10% lactic acid; do not reheat the medium after acidification. Mix well and pour into sterile Petri plates. Test the finished medium for performance using stable, standard control cultures.
Cultural response
| Test organism | ATCC | Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Saccharomyces cerevisiae | 9763 | good-luxuriant |
| Candida albicans | 10231 | good-luxuriant |
| Aspergillus brasiliensis | 16404 | good-luxuriant |
| Escherichia coli | 25922 | inhibited-partial |
Product highlights
- Food-grade raw materials, produced in an ISO 22000 certified facility
- Halal certified, suitable for the Malaysian, Indonesian, and Middle Eastern markets
- Manufactured to the standard formulation, 50 g per litre
- Performance verified against standard control strains before release (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida albicans, Aspergillus brasiliensis, Escherichia coli)
- Available in 500 g / 5 kg / 25 kg, from laboratory to industrial scale
- COA, specification sheet, and technical data sheet available; samples on request
- Manufactured in Taiwan with reliable supply
Food grade versus laboratory grade
Most culture media suppliers use laboratory-grade raw materials, which are held to lower standards for heavy metal residues, microbial contamination control, and traceability. That is adequate for pure research but not for applications with stricter raw-material requirements. STBIO manufactures with food-grade raw materials throughout, in a facility certified to ISO 22000 food safety management.
- Food microbiology laboratories working to ISO 17025 or equivalent requirements
- Biotech manufacturers exporting fermentation products and needing full raw-material traceability
- Organisations with ESG or compliance audit requirements across their supply chain
- Companies sourcing both Halal and non-Halal products who need one consistent material grade
FDA BAM methods
This product corresponds to a medium used in the chapters of the US FDA Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM), the reference methods for FDA regulatory testing. Follow the current online edition of each chapter.
- FDA BAM Chapter 18: Yeasts, Molds, and MycotoxinsBAM Chapter 18Isolation plateNamed in the method as：Malt extract agar (MEA)
BAM specifies methods and media formulations; it does not certify brands. Add supplements as the chapter requires, and verify media against reference strains under your quality system.
Frequently asked questions
01Does this medium meet FDA BAM methods?
BAM specifies methods and formulations, not brands. This product corresponds to a medium used in: FDA BAM Chapter 18: Yeasts, Molds, and Mycotoxins（BAM Chapter 18）: Isolation plate. It is manufactured to the standard formulation and ships with a COA per batch; add supplements as the chapter requires and follow the current online edition.
02Do I need to suppress bacterial growth in fungal testing?
It depends on the sample. For foods or environmental samples with high bacterial loads, the pH is usually lowered or antibiotics are added to suppress bacteria. Follow the requirements of your chosen method; we are happy to advise.
03How much powder per litre?
Use 50 g per litre of deionised water; preparation and sterilisation conditions are given on the specification sheet.
04Which organisms is it suitable for?
Yeast, Mold, Candida, Aspergillus, Penicillium, S. cerevisiae, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida albicans, Aspergillus brasiliensis, Escherichia coli. See the cultural response table and the specification sheet.
05What are the equivalent brand products and standard methods?
Cross-reference: BD Difco Malt Extract Agar, Oxoid Malt Extract Agar, Merck Malt Extract Agar. Standard methods: . Formulations may differ slightly between makers; refer to the specification sheet.
06Can it be used for food-grade applications?
Yes. It is made from food-grade raw materials in an ISO 22000 certified facility and is suitable for culturing starters for fermented products that are consumed directly.
07How is this product prepared?
Suspend 50 g of powder in 1 L of purified water. Heat with continuous stirring and bring to the boil for 1 minute. Sterilize by autoclaving at 115°C for 10 minutes. Avoid overheating. Cool to 45-50°C. Where greater selectivity is required, acidify the cooled medium to pH 3.5 with sterile 10% lactic acid; do not reheat the medium after acidification. Mix well and pour into sterile Petri plates. Test the finished medium for performance using stable, standard control cultures.
08How do I request a bulk quotation, and can you provide a COA?
Yes. This product is available in 500 g, 5 kg, 25 kg. Tell us your application and volume when requesting a quotation; we reply within one working day and can supply the COA, specification sheet, and technical data sheet.
Used in these applications
Further reading
- FDA BAM Culture Media Cross-Reference: Which Media Each BAM Chapter Uses and the STBIO EquivalentAerobic plate count, coliforms and E. coli, Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Vibrio, Clostridium perfringens, yeasts and moulds and Cronobacter: the media named in each FDA Bacteriological Analytical Manual chapter, matched to Taiwan-made dehydrated media for US laboratories qualifying a second source.
- Which Culture Media Do Taiwan FDA Food Microbiology Methods Specify? Cross-Reference for 21 Announced MethodsAerobic plate count, coliforms, E. coli, Enterobacteriaceae, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, lactic acid bacteria, yeasts and moulds, Bacillus cereus, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Clostridium perfringens and Cronobacter: the media named in each Taiwan FDA (TFDA) announced method, matched to Taiwan-made products.
References
- 1. Pitt J. I. and Hocking A. D., 2009. Fungi and Food Spoilage, 3rd Ed., Springer, New York.
- 2. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Bacteriological Analytical Manual, Chapter 18, Yeasts, Molds and Mycotoxins.