Glucoae agar, also spelled glucose agar, is a type of growth medium commonly used in microbiology to culture and identify bacteria. The spelling of glucoae is often confusing to those unfamiliar with the term. It is pronounced as glu-koh-ay with the phonetic transcription /ˈgluːkəʊeɪ/. The word is derived from the Latin word "glucosum," meaning sugar, and "agar," a type of gelatinous substance used as a growth medium. The glucose in the medium provides essential nutrients for the growth of bacteria, while agar holds the nutrients and provides a solid surface for bacterial colonies to form.
Glucoae agar is a nutritious solid growth medium used in microbiology laboratories for the cultivation and identification of various microorganisms, particularly bacteria and fungi. It is a type of agar plate that contains glucose as the principal source of carbon and energy for microbial growth.
The term "glucoae" refers to glucose, a simple sugar that serves as a vital nutrient for many microorganisms. Glucose is readily metabolized by most bacteria and fungi, making it an essential component in culture media.
Agar, on the other hand, is a gelatinous substance derived from seaweed. It acts as a solidifying agent and provides a stable foundation for microorganisms to grow on. In microbiology, agar is commonly used in the preparation of agar plates, which are petri dishes filled with solid medium on which microorganisms can be cultured.
Glucoae agar is prepared by dissolving agar powder in a nutrient broth containing the desired concentration of glucose. The mixture is then sterilized to eliminate any pre-existing microorganisms before being poured into the culture plates. Once solidified, the agar plates are ready for inoculation with the desired microorganism.
By observing the growth patterns and characteristics of microorganisms on glucoae agar, microbiologists can identify and differentiate different species or strains. Additionally, glucoae agar can be supplemented with various selective agents or indicators to aid in the identification of specific microorganisms or metabolic pathways.
Nutrient a., containing 2 per cent. glucose.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.