Cornmeal Agar

Corn Meal Agar is used for the cultivation of fungi and the demonstration of chlamydospore production. Candida albicans is the etiological agent in candidiasis, which can range from a mild to severe infection of skin, nails, and mucous membranes.¹ Several media formulations have been developed that will promote morphological or physiological characteristics in Candida albicans, and differentiate it from other Candida spp. and other genera. One of the most important differential characteristics of C. albicans is the ability to form chlamydospores on certain media. Corn Meal Agar stimulates sporulation of C. albicans, and is useful in suppressing certain other fungal growth.² Chlamydospore production is an important diagnostic characteristic used in the identification of C. albicans.³ Infusion from Corn Meal is the source of carbon, nitrogen, and vitamins required for organism growth in Corn Meal Agar. Agar is the solidifying agent.