Description
Pre-poured MEA plates- Petri dishes (Malt Extract Agar) for mushroom growing.
Our agar plates are thick-poured, which helps retain moisture for longer, prevents the plates from drying, and prolongs the life of your cultures.
Your purchase includes-
– 10x Parafilm pre-cut strip
– 10x 90mm Petri dish with MEA sealed with Parafilm
Plate Shelf Life and Storage
Plates’ optimal shelf life is 30-45 days. Order plates as needed, as they cannot be stored indefinitely, even in their original packaging. While most plates can last for months, their ideal shelf life is 30 days.
Usage and Contamination
Plates may remain usable beyond 30 days if uncontaminated. If contamination occurs in one plate, it doesn’t affect others in the pack. Discard contaminated plates and use the rest as normal.
Long-term Storage
Extended storage may cause plates to lose moisture and become stiff and papery. Use plates only if they remain gelatinous and uncontaminated. Discard any that become stiff or papery, as they can no longer support organism growth.
Refund Policy
For damaged or contaminated plates upon delivery:
• Contact us within 30 days of the ORDER date
• Provide photos for refund requests
• No replacements are offered; only refunds
Storage Guidelines
Before inoculation:
• Store in a cool, dry place (e.g., cupboard)
• Avoid refrigeration to prevent condensation
• Place upside down to minimize condensation
After colonization:
• Refrigerate when at least 60% colonized
• Label (date and species) and put in zip-lock bags for storage
• It is best to keep it in the vegetable compartment of the fridge
Remember: The packaging sleeve is not a sterile seal. Proper storage is crucial for maintaining plate quality.
About the petri dish-
These dishes are made of clear polystyrene, which allows for clarity while being disposable and durable. They are easy to stock and grip and have an anti-slip ring that offers stability.
General MEA petri dish information-
MEA is a gelatinous medium to purify, germinate, isolate, and manipulate mushroom mycelium.
These petri dishes are 100% ready to inoculate with spores or mushroom mycelium.
We recommend MEA plates for
- Germinating spores
- Isolating a specific strain of mushroom
- School projects to grow bacteria, protozoa, fungi, and viruses (We have a separate listing for a school project kit on our eBay store)
Malt Extract
Malt extract contains a high concentration of maltose, which provides a suitable environment for fungi’s growth. It is also a rich source of carbon, protein, and nitrogenous compounds, which are used as energy for fungi’s growth.
Agar-Agar
Agar-Agar is extracted from various seaweeds, such as gracilaria and gelidium (It contains no animal ingredients. Due to Agar’s unique gel property and stability, it is used as a firming and thickening agent for Petri dish experimentation.)
You can also buy Anti-bacterial Agar Plates from our store or other pre-made Agar mixes to make your agar plates.
Please be advised that shipping agar plates from December through February can be particularly challenging due to environmental factors. When the package temperature exceeds 40°C, the plastic wrap or wax parafilm used for sealing may melt, shrink, or otherwise be compromised by heat, increasing the likelihood of contamination.
If you encounter contamination, please send us a clear photo of the affected plates, the number of plates affected and your order number. We will issue a refund.
Please note that we cannot offer replacements, as the same environmental conditions may lead to similar issues.
