Malt Extract Agar

Agar pour

Ingredients for 500mL:

  • 500mL tap water
  • 15g liquid malt extract
  • 7g agar, I used pacific harvest brand from our local whole food store
  • 1 “heaped” teaspoon of sawdust
    note to self: weigh a "heap" of sawdust

Equipment:

  • tinfoil
  • pyrex jug
  • microwave
  • autoclave tape

Method:

Weigh out dry ingredients into microwaveable pyrex jug, add tap water to 500mL.

Microwave on high for 2-4min, until mixture boils and agar is dissolved.

Pour into glass petri dishes immediately, filling the dishes about half full and put lids back on dishes.

Wrap petri dishes containing agar in tin foil, mark with autoclave tape.

Sterilise using the pressure cooker method.

Store wrapped at 4 degrees celsius for up to a week.