Question

trypctic soy agar (TSA) is optimized for the growth of bacteria because bacteria require high nitrogen content and low carbon for growth. Malt extract agar is optimized for the growth of fungi. fungi require a high C:N ratio and favor acidic conditions. why do sometimes get bacteria on fungal plates and fungi on bacterial plates? give examples of fungi that can grow on TSA

tryptic*

Answer 1

A) Presence of bacteria culture in fungal plates also indicates insufficient sterilization. Many bacteria are motile and can swim along the mould hyphae, congregating at the end where they can share in the nutrients produced by the enzymatically active hyphal tips.

B) Presence of fungus in bacterial plates indicates insufficient sterilization of equipment. Fungi usually grow over time. we find fungal growth in old cultures.. They produce large number of spores which get difficult to eliminate.

C) Candida albicans can grow on Tryptic Soy Agar (TSA)