Dichloran Glycerol (DG-18) Agar Base is used for the selective isolation and enumeration of yeasts and molds from foods in a laboratory setting. Dichloran Glycerol (DG-18) Agar Base is not intended for use in the diagnosis of disease or other conditions in humans. Dichloran Glycerol (DG-18) Agar Base is used for the enumeration of viable osmophilic yeasts and xerophilic molds in food or animal feed products with a water activity of less than or equal to 0.95. This includes such foods as dry fruits, jams, cakes, dried meat, salted fish, grains, cereals, flours, nuts, spices, condiments and some animal feeds. This medium is not suitable for the examination of dehydrated products with a water activity of greater than 0.95, Dichloran Rose Bengal Chloramphenicol Agar (NCM0082 or NCM0029) should be used. The reduction in water activity in this medium is achieved by the addition of glycerol at approximately 18% and this is very important as many yeast and molds require a low water activity to enhance growth and colony development. The medium also contains the antifungal agent dichloran, which restricts the spreading of mucoraceous fungi and restricts the colony size of other genera making colony counting an easier task. Additional selectivity against bacterial growth is achieved by the incorporation of the heat-stable antibiotic Chloramphenicol. Glucose is incorporated as the fermentable carbohydrate source, with casein enzymatic digest providing the essential vitamins, minerals, amino acids, nitrogen and carbon.
