Preparation and analysis of faba bean pods agar with identification of C. neoformans

Recently researchers used agar that prepared from natural products and can be used in biological labs to grow bacteria and fungi such as C. neoformans.

This study aimed to prepare a cultural media agar based on extract from pods of fava bean and use it to cultured and identify C. neoformans and compare it with negative control (C. albicans). Materials and Methods:C. neoformans and C. albicans isolates were obtained from laboratory of Biology Department, College of Science, University of Mustansyria, and then the pods were grinded, dissolved in sterile distilled water, boiled for 10 min. The extract was then filtered and sterilized in autoclave, then cooled and poured into sterile Petri dishes. C. albicans and C. neoformans were incubated for 48 hours. Also, and after treating the extract with methanol, and the HPLC was taken to investigate its components.

C. neoformans showed dark brown colonies, while C. albicans showed white colonies, and the HPLC showed that the fava bean pods content acids such as Ascorbic, Gallic, Caffeic, and Methyl gallat. Conclusions: Fava bean pods agar used to identify C. neoformans based on producing phenoloxidase enzyme which oxidizes phenolic compounds in the medium.