African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 4 (6), pp. 573-574, June 2005          
ISSN 1684–5315 © 2005 Academic Journals

Short Communication

Cassava starch as an alternative to agar-agar in microbiological media

Y.U. Dabai and *S. Muhammad

Department of Biological Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-Mail: samdiri@yahoo.co.uk; Tel: 234-08043116092.

Accepted  23 February, 2005

Cassava starch powder produced locally was tested for its ability to serve as a solidifying agent in microbiological nutrient media, using different aqueous percentage concentration in pour plates and slants. 10% concentration produced setting usually associated with solid nutrient media within 30 min. Cassava starch powder can therefore be a potential solidifying agent in microbiological nutrient media as an alternative to agar-agar.

Key words: Cassava, agar-agar, media, microbial growth.