Sabouraud agar or Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) is a type of agar growth medium containing peptones. It is used to cultivate dermatophytes and other types of fungi, and can also grow filamentous bacteria such as Nocardia. It has utility for research and clinical care.

Sabouraud Dextrose Agar is recommended for the selective cultivation of yeasts, molds and aciduric bacteria. Sabouraud Dextrose Agar is particularly useful for identification of fungi associated with skin infections.

SDA was designed by Sabouraud for the cultivation of fungi, especially those associated with skin infections. [6] The media is more favorable for the isolation of fungi than bacteria due to its low pH and it also helps in the identification by enhancing characteristic spores and pigment production by the fungi.

Preparation of Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA)

1. Suspend 65 g of the medium in one liter of distilled water.
2. Heat with frequent agitation and boil for one minute to completely dissolve the medium.
3. Autoclave at 121° C for 15 minutes.
4. Cool to 45 to 50°C and pour into petri dishes or tubes for slants.

Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) is a non selective isolation medium used for the growth and maintenance of pathogenic and non-pathogenic fungi from clinical and nonclinical specimens. It is also used for recovery and total counting of yeasts and moulds in environmental monitoring.

Sabouraud Dextrose Agar is comprised of enzymatic digest of casein and animal tissues which provide a nutritious source of amino acids and nitrogenous compounds for the growth of fungi and yeasts. Dextrose is a fermentable carbohydrate incorporated in high concentrations as a carbon and energy source.

Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) is used for the isolation, cultivation, and maintenance of non-pathogenic and pathogenic species of fungi and yeasts. The pH is adjusted to approximately 5.6 in order to enhance the growth of fungi, especially dermatophytes, and to slightly inhibit bacterial growth in clinical specimens.

Sabouraud Agar or Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) is a selective medium primarily used for the isolation of dermatophytes. Other fungi, yeasts, and filamentous bacteria such as Nocardia can also grow in SDA.

Sabouraud Agar or Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) is a selective medium primarily used for the isolation of dermatophytes.

Preparation of SDA Combine all ingredients in ~900 ml of deioinized water. Adjust to pH 5.6 with hydrochloric acid and adjust final volume to 1 liter. Heat to boiling to dissolve the medium completely. Autoclave at 121ºC for 15 minutes.

5.6
Traditionally, the pH of SDA media is slightly acidic (pH 5.6 +/- 0.2 at 25ºC.). pH to be adjusted with 1N NaOH and 1N HCl.