What is a TSA plate in microbiology?

Answer 1

TSA stands for Tryptic Soy Agar. It is a rich media composed of various nutrients that covers a wide range of microbial growth needs. Just as we need specific nutrients to grow and thrive, so to do microorganisms. This plate is the standard for growing organisms in lab (sometimes LB is used instead, it all depends on preference). It is usually derived from yeast extracts. It is not selective or differential and makes it ideal for starting cultures of bacteria in microbiology labs. The composition can vary based on what company made it, but generally it involves some kind of meat stock, yeast extracts, salt and agar. Agar is a gelatinous material produced by some seaweeds which gives the plate its gel like consistency and the ability to be poured on plates or tubes.

-Hardy Diagnostics. (n.d.). TRYPTIC SOY AGAR (TSA). Retrieved March 26, 2019, from https://catalog.hardydiagnostics.com/cp_prod/Content/hugo/TrypticSoyAgar.htm

-Leboffe, M. J. (2011). Exercises for the Microbiology Laboratory. Englewood, Colorado: Morton Publishing.