Modified Fungal HiVeg™ Agar Base (Modified Inhibitory Mould HiVeg™ Agar Base)

Principle and Interpretation

This medium is prepared by using HiVeg peptone and HiVeg hydrolysate which are free from BSE/TSE risks associated with animal based peptones. Modified Fungal HiVeg Agar Base is the modification of Modified Fungal Agar Base which is formulated as described by Mead and O'Neill (1) for estimating moulds in cosmetics and toiletries. Earlier culture media developed for determining mould counts in cosmetics and toiletries etc. required upto 7 days of incubation for the valid count (2, 3), whereas Modified Fungal HiVeg Agar Base formulation, like the conventional medium requires 3 days at 27-28°C.

The medium contains HiVeg hydrolysate, HiVeg peptone, yeast extract, dextrose and inorganic salts which makes it a very nutritious medium. Potential contaminants of cosmetics and toiletries like Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Serratia marcescens are effectively inhibited by the Chloramphenicol in the medium. Sodium and potassium phosphates buffer the medium well. Polysorbate 80 serves as a neutralizer of preservatives such as methyl paraben and physically hold or seclude the surfactants like sodium lauryl sulphate and lauroyldiethanolamide. These surfactants might suppress the growth or the spore germination of moulds. The pH of the medium is neutral which inactivates preservatives such as benzoic acid which is active at pH values below 6.0 but not active at pH near to the neutrality (3).