Beef Extract Agar 
CAT: AS‑1134
 
Beef Extract Agar is a non‑selective, general‑purpose solid medium used for the cultivation and maintenance of non‑fastidious heterotrophic bacteria and fungi. Its low‑nutrient formulation makes it ideal for aerobic plate counts (APC) in water, dairy, food, and environmental microbiology, minimizing overgrowth of spreading species. It also serves as a base medium for enriched formulations such as blood agar and chocolate agar.
 
Applications:
General cultivation and subculture of non‑fastidious bacteria
Aerobic plate counts in water and food microbiology (alternative to PCA)
Maintenance of stock cultures
Base for enriched media (blood agar, chocolate agar)
 
Key Features:
Simple, cost‑effective, low‑nutrient formulation
Transparent agar surface for easy colony observation
Widely used in water microbiology, food safety, and teaching labs
Versatile base for specialized media
 
Composition (per liter): 
Beef Extract .......... 3.0 g,
Peptone .......... 5.0 g,
Agar .......... 15.0 g.
Final pH: 7.0 ± 0.2 at 25 °C.
 
Preparation:
Suspend 23 g/L, boil 1 min, autoclave at 121 °C for 15 min, cool to 45–50 °C, pour plates.
Incubation: 30–35 °C for 24–48 h.
 
Storage: Dehydrated medium below 30 °C; prepared plates at 2–8 °C (use within 4 weeks). Intended Use: For laboratory use only; not for diagnostic or therapeutic applications.