Detecting and enumerating yeasts and moulds is critical in ensuring the safety and quality of human and animal food products. Traditional methods like ISO 21527-1:2008 have long been used but come with limitations, such as extended incubation times and complexity in sample processing. SYMPHONY® Agar is a cutting-edge AFNOR validated solution by Biokar Diagnostics, designed to streamline and enhance the process of yeast and mould enumeration.

What is SYMPHONY® Agar?
SYMPHONY® Agar is a versatile method for the enumeration of yeasts and moulds across various matrices, including human and animal food products and environmental samples. Its innovative formulation enables results in just 54 hours, compared to the 5-7 days required by ISO 21527-1:2008.
Advantages of SYMPHONY® Agar Over ISO 21527-1:2008
Feature | ISO 21527-1:2008 | SYMPHONY® Agar |
Incubation Time | 5-7 days | 54 hours |
Confirmation | May require sub-culturing and microscopic examination | No confirmation needed |
Protocol Complexity | Separate methods for products with varying water activity | Single protocol for all water activity levels |
Reading Simplicity | Difficult due to secondary flora interference | Optimized to limit secondary interference |
Thallus Spread Control | Not specifically addressed | Effective control of Mucor thallus spread |
Flexibility | Limited | Suitable for surface inoculation, pour plate inoculation, and membrane filtration |
Key Features of SYMPHONY® Agar
1. Efficiency
SYMPHONY® Agar is specifically formulated to ensure rapid and reliable detection of yeasts and moulds. Its optimized composition minimizes the spread of thallus from moulds like Mucor, enhancing the accuracy of colony counts. Additionally, it inhibits secondary flora, ensuring precise results.
2. Rapidity
Traditional methods require 5-7 days for results. SYMPHONY® Agar cuts this down to just 54 hours, providing actionable results on day 3 compared to day 5-7 with standard methods.
3. Simplicity
The method’s uniform protocol works across all types of samples, regardless of their water activity (≤ or > 0.95). This eliminates the need for separate procedures, reducing training and operational complexity.
4. Versatility
SYMPHONY® Agar can be used for:
- Surface inoculation
- Pour plate inoculation
- Membrane filtration (ideal for water samples)
This flexibility makes it a go-to choice for laboratories handling diverse sample types.
Practical Implementation
Using SYMPHONY® Agar is straightforward:
- Prepare a 1:10 dilution of the sample.
- Choose the inoculation method:
- Surface: Spread 0.1 mL on an agar plate.
- Pour Plate: Add 1 mL to a sterile plate, pour 15 mL of melted SYMPHONY® Agar, mix, and let solidify.
- Incubate at 25°C for 54-72 hours.
- Enumerate characteristic yeast and mould colonies directly, without confirmation.
Availability
SYMPHONY® Agar is offered in multiple formats to suit laboratory needs:
Format | Product Code | Quantity |
Ready-to-use plates | BM20208 | 20 Petri dishes (Ø 90 mm) |
Ready-to-melt medium | BM19108 | 10 vials (200 mL each) |
Dehydrated medium | BK227HA | 500 g / 5 kg |
Why Choose SYMPHONY® Agar?
SYMPHONY® Agar is more than just an alternative to ISO 21527-1:2008. It is a superior solution that saves time, reduces complexity, and delivers accurate results. Validated by AFNOR Certification under EN ISO 16140-2:2016, SYMPHONY® Agar ensures compliance with industry standards while enhancing operational efficiency.
Transform your yeast and mould detection processes with SYMPHONY® Agar and experience the future of microbiological testing.
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