LME Agar Plates (Light Malt Extract) — 6-Pack

LME Agar — The Gold Standard for Mushroom Culture Work

Light Malt Extract (LME) agar is the most widely used nutrient medium in mycology. Its balanced sugar and nutrient profile supports vigorous mycelial growth across virtually every gourmet and medicinal mushroom species — from oysters and shiitake to lion's mane and reishi. If you are new to agar work or need a reliable everyday medium, this is where you start.

What's Included

6 pre-poured sterile agar cups (4 oz clear plastic cups with lids), ready for immediate use. Each cup contains a firm, amber-coloured LME agar surface ideal for spore germination, tissue cloning, and culture transfers.

Why LME Agar?

• Universal compatibility — works with nearly every mushroom species, making it the go-to choice for multi-species growers.
• Excellent visibility — the light amber colour makes it easy to spot healthy mycelial growth and catch contamination early.
• Balanced nutrition — malt extract provides a steady supply of simple sugars and amino acids that encourage fast, even colonization.
• Beginner-friendly — the most forgiving agar type, perfect for learning sterile technique.

How to Use

1. Work inside a still air box (SAB) or in front of a laminar flow hood.
2. Wipe the cup lid and your tools with 70% isopropyl alcohol.
3. Inoculate the agar surface with spores, a tissue sample, or a culture transfer using a sterile scalpel or inoculation loop.
4. Replace the lid and seal the edge with parafilm.
5. Incubate at 21–24°C (70–75°F) and monitor for growth over 5–14 days.

Why Buy Pre-Made Agar?

• No pressure cooker needed — skip the hours of sterilization and guesswork.
• Consistent quality every time — precise nutrient ratios, proper gel firmness, zero batch variation.
• Sterile and ready to use — produced in our CFIA-licensed facility in Brantford, Ontario.
• No failed pours — no cracked cups, no condensation disasters, no wasted ingredients.
• Save time for what matters — spend your energy on transfers, isolations, and growing mushrooms.

Storage

Store sealed cups in the refrigerator (2–8°C / 36–46°F). Shelf life is 6 months to 1 year when kept sealed and refrigerated. Keep away from direct sunlight. Do not freeze. Inspect for contamination before use — discard any cup that shows unexpected mould or discolouration before opening.

Price Breakdown

• 6-Pack: $30.00 — just $5.00 per plate.
• Case of 60: $120.00 — only $2.00 per plate (60% savings).

Whether you need a handful for a single project or a full case for ongoing work, we have you covered.

Explore Our Full Agar Lineup

Need more options? Try PDA (Potato Dextrose Agar) for species that prefer starch-based nutrition, LME Carbon Agar for high-contrast culture isolation, or Sawdust Preservation Agar for long-term strain storage. We also carry coloured LME agars in Blue, Red, and Purple for tracking multiple transfers at a glance.