How to Prepare Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) using Fresh Potatoes (Part 1/4)

Summary

This video demonstrates how to prepare potato dextrose agar (PDA), a crucial microbiological medium used for cultivating and isolating fungi. The process includes both using ready-made dehydrated PDA and preparing it from fresh potatoes. For 1 liter of media, the ingredients consist of 200 grams of potatoes, 20 grams of dextrose, and 15 grams of agar, with adjustments made for a more solid media. The demonstration covers sterilization using an autoclave, with guidance from a postgraduate student, Miss Aubry. The video is a step-by-step tutorial designed to teach viewers how to prepare this essential laboratory medium.

Takeaways

• 😀 Microbiological agar is essential for cultivating and isolating microbes.
• 😀 Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) is a commonly used microbiological medium for fungi.
• 😀 PDA can be prepared using either ready-made dehydrated media or fresh potatoes.
• 😀 The video shows how to prepare PDA using fresh potatoes, with the assistance of a postgraduate student.
• 😀 The composition for dehydrated PDA includes 200 grams of potatoes, 20 grams of sugar, and 15 grams of agar.
• 😀 For 1 liter of PDA using fresh potatoes, the ingredients needed are 200 grams of potatoes, 20 grams of dextrose, and 15 grams of agar.
• 😀 To make a more solid agar media, the amount of agar is increased to 20 grams per liter.
• 😀 The video focuses on preparing 250 milliliters of PDA, which requires 50 grams of fresh potatoes, 5 grams of dextrose, and 5 grams of agar.
• 😀 The prepared media must be sterilized using an autoclave.
• 😀 The video also demonstrates how to use an autoclave for sterilizing the PDA media.

Q & A

What is microbiological agar used for?

Microbiological agar is used for the cultivation and isolation of microbes, providing a solid medium for growing different types of microorganisms.

What is Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) used for?

PDA is a microbiological medium commonly used for the cultivation of a wide variety of fungi.

How can Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) be prepared?

PDA can be prepared using ready-made dehydrated media or by using fresh potatoes, along with dextrose and agar.

What is the composition of ready-made dehydrated PDA media?

The ready-made dehydrated PDA media consists of 200 grams of potatoes, 20 grams of dextrose (sugar), and 15 grams of agar.

How much agar is used when preparing PDA from fresh potatoes?

When preparing PDA from fresh potatoes, 15 grams of agar is used per liter of media. However, for a firmer media, the amount of agar can be increased to 20 grams per liter.

What is the required amount of ingredients to prepare 250 milliliters of PDA from fresh potatoes?

To prepare 250 milliliters of PDA from fresh potatoes, you will need 50 grams of fresh potatoes, 5 grams of dextrose, and 5 grams of agar.

What role does the autoclave play in the preparation of PDA?

The autoclave is used to sterilize the PDA media, ensuring that all contaminants are eliminated before the media is used to cultivate microbes.

Who assisted in the preparation of the video demonstrating PDA preparation?

Miss Aubry, the postgraduate student, assisted in the preparation of the video and the PDA preparation process.

What is the significance of increasing the agar concentration from 15 grams to 20 grams per liter in PDA preparation?

Increasing the agar concentration from 15 grams to 20 grams per liter results in a firmer or more solid PDA medium, which is useful for certain applications requiring a more stable surface for fungal growth.

Why is potato dextrose agar (PDA) favored for cultivating fungi?

PDA is favored for cultivating fungi because it provides essential nutrients such as dextrose (sugar) that support fungal growth, while the agar helps create a solid surface for fungi to grow on.