BUFFERED CHARCOAL YEAST EXTRACT AGAR MEDIUM (ISO)

Buffered charcoal yeast extract agar medium was a modification of the existing F-G Agar. F-G Agar had starch and casein enzymic hydrolysate as ingredients in the composition. Feely et al replaced these two with charcoal and yeast extract respectively, and reported better recovery of Legionella pneumophilla. Later Paseulle reported that supplementation of the Charcoal Yeast Agar with ACES buffer improved the performance of the medium. Edelstein further modified the medium by adding alpha-ketoglutarate. This addition helped in improving the sensitivity of the medium. The formulation of Buffered Charcoal Yeast Extract Agar Base is as per specification laid in ISO 11731- 2017.

For selective isolation and cultivation of Legionella species from cooling towers, water samples,