Culture Media

Cornmeal-Molasses-Agar Culture for Drosophila

Directions

Mix and boil water (420 ml) and agar 3–5 minutes.
Add unsulfured molasses and heat to boiling again.

Mix together cornmeal, brewer’s yeast, and cold water in a separate container until all lumps are removed.

Add cornmeal-yeast mixture to molasses-agar mixture. Boil 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Cool mixture to 60°C. Add propionic acid (as mold inhibitor). Pour culture medium 1-inch deep into sterile culture jars with sterile plugs. Pint milk bottles work well, but any widemouthed jar fitted with a plug made of cotton covered with cheesecloth or foam rubber should work well. Add a sprinkle of active baker’s yeast (from a salt shaker) to each jar before adding flies.

Nutrient Agar Culture for E. coli

Directions

Make up to 1 liter with distilled water.