DEXTROSE STARCH AGAR

Neisseria is a large group of gram-negative proteobacteria. Neisseria meningitides, the causative agent of meningitis, is responsible for a large amount of morbidity and mortality throughout the world while Neisseria gonorrhoeae is the causative agent of the sexually transmitted disease gonorrhea that is second in cases reported only to chlamydia (CDC). These fastidious organisms can be cultivated on Dextrose Starch Agar. The medium is highly nutritious and supports the luxuriant growth of various fastidious organisms like N. meningitidis, Streptococcus pyogenes and Streptococcus pneumoniae without the need of supplementation with additives. Organisms lacking the ability of starch hydrolysis can be maintained on this medium. Organism capable of hydrolyzing starch will create acidic conditions thereby making it unsuitable for maintenance.

for propagating pure cultures of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and other fastidious organisms