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Principle
- Mutans-Sanguis agar is composed of casein enzymic hydrolysate, yeast extract, L-cystine, sodium sulfite, sodium chloride, disodium phosphate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium acetate, sucrose, and agar.
- Casein hydrolysate is the source of nitrogen and amino acids. Yeast extract provides nitrogen, carbon, vitamins, and minerals necessary to support bacterial growth. L-cystine lowers the oxidation-reduction potential of the medium.
- Sodium sulfite, sodium acetate, disodium phosphate, and sodium bicarbonate are sources of ions that stimulate metabolism. Sucrose is a carbohydrate and energy source.
- The streptococci utilize the sucrose and produce extracellular polysaccharides and help in the characterization of streptococci species on the basis of colony morphology. Streptococcus mutans forms white, grey, or yellow-colored, rough, heaped, irregular colonies resembling frosted glass. While the Streptococcus sanguis forms white or colorless, smooth or rough, hard and rubbery colonies.
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