Liofilchem® Chromatic™ Candida

Liofilchem® Chromatic™ Candida is a chromogenic selective medium designed for the isolation and differentiation of Candida species directly from clinical and non-clinical specimens such as swabs, urine, stool, and food or environmental samples.

This advanced chromogenic formulation enables rapid presumptive identification of the most common pathogenic yeasts including Candida albicans, C. tropicalis, C. krusei, C. glabrata, C. dubliniensis, and C. parapsilosis. Each species forms colonies with distinct chromatic reactions, allowing for visual differentiation within 24–48 hours of incubation.

Key Features

• Chromogenic and selective formulation for accurate differentiation of Candida species.
• Supports identification of six clinically relevant species including C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. krusei, C. glabrata, C. dubliniensis, and C. parapsilosis.
• Ready-to-use or dehydrated formats available for flexibility in laboratory workflows.
• Rapid results: visible colony differentiation in 24–48 hours.
• Contains chloramphenicol to inhibit bacterial contaminants.
• Complies with CLSI and ISO 11133 standards for culture media performance.
• Suitable for clinical microbiology, pharmaceutical, food, and environmental testing laboratories.

Typical Formula (per litre)

Principle of the Method

• Peptone provides essential nutrients including amino acids, nitrogen, vitamins, and minerals to support yeast growth.
• Chloramphenicol acts as a selective inhibitor to suppress bacterial flora.
• Chromogenic substrates react with species-specific enzymes produced by different Candida species, generating distinctive colony colors that allow for differentiation.
• Agar solidifies the medium for colony isolation and morphology assessment.

Preparation

Dehydrated Medium

Suspend 50.7 g of powder in 1 L of distilled or deionized water. Mix well and heat to boiling until completely dissolved. Do not autoclave.

Medium in Bottles

Melt the contents in a water bath at 100°C with the cap loosened. Once liquefied, tighten the cap, mix gently to ensure homogeneity, and cool to 45–50°C before pouring into Petri dishes.

Test Procedure

1. Inoculate by direct streaking, spread plating, or membrane filtration.
2. Incubate aerobically at 30–37°C for 24–48 hours.
3. Observe colony morphology and color, then identify according to the interpretation table.

Interpretation of Results

Non-Candida organisms and bacteria are inhibited by chloramphenicol.

Quality Control

Incubation: 35 ± 2°C for 24–48 h (aerobic).

Appearance (Dehydrated Medium): light beige, free-flowing powder.

Appearance (Prepared Medium): slightly opalescent, very light beige.

Storage and Stability

• Store dehydrated medium at 10–30°C in a dry, tightly closed container.
• Store prepared plates at 2–8°C, protected from light.
• Shelf life:
  • Dehydrated medium – 4 years
  • Bottled medium – 1 year
  • Ready-to-use plates – 6 months
• Discard if contamination, clumping, or color change is observed.

Safety and Handling

• For in vitro diagnostic use only.
• Handle under aseptic laboratory conditions.
• Consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) prior to use.
• Dispose of all cultures and media according to institutional biosafety protocols.

Ordering Information

Liofilchem® Chromatic™ Candida provides a rapid, reliable, and cost-effective chromogenic solution for the detection and differentiation of clinically significant Candida species. Its selective formulation, vivid colony color differentiation, and robust bacterial inhibition make it an indispensable medium for clinical diagnostics, mycology research, and quality control testing in food and pharmaceutical microbiology.