Myco Labs Light Malt Extract (LME) Agar Powder Blend - Makes 200+ Agar Plates 200g (7oz)
Myco Labs Light Malt Extract (LME) Agar Powder Blend - Makes 200+ Agar Plates 200g (7oz) is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
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Description
Description
Myco Labs LME (Light Malt Extract) Agar Powder Blend is our house-formulated agar mix for mushroom cultivation, cloning and isolation work. One 200g (7oz) bag makes 200+ standard 90mm agar plates — about 10¢ per plate.
It's the same formulation we use to pour our own colonized agar plates at the Myco Labs facility in Illinois: extra light malt extract, high-strength agar powder and soy peptone, pre-mixed so you just add distilled water, sterilize and pour. The light malt produces a clean amber medium that makes mycelium growth and contamination easy to see.
- 200g7 oz bag
- 200+90mm plates
- ~10¢Per plate
- 16gPer 500 mL water
- 15 PSI20 min sterilize
Why growers pour with our LME blend
- Pennies per plate – One bag makes 200+ plates at roughly 10¢ each when you pour your own.
- Proven recipe – The same formulation behind every colonized agar plate we sell.
- Clear amber medium – Light malt extract makes mycelium growth and contamination easier to evaluate, especially for sector isolation.
- Extra nitrogen – Soy peptone supports robust growth, especially for slower functional species like reishi, cordyceps and maitake.
- Firm, clean set – High-strength agar holds up to repeated transfer work and resists tearing when you cut wedges.
What's included
- 200g (7oz) of pre-mixed LME agar powder in a resealable bag
- Makes 200+ standard 90mm plates at 16g powder per 500 mL distilled water
How to pour your own plates
- Measure. Use 16g of powder per 500 mL of distilled water. A 500 mL batch makes about 25 plates at 18–20 mL each.
- Dissolve. Stir the powder into the water in an autoclavable container (glass jar, Pyrex bottle or autoclave-safe polypropylene) until there are no clumps.
- Sterilize. Cover loosely with foil or a vented cap and sterilize at 15 PSI / 121°C for 20 minutes in a pressure cooker or autoclave.
- Cool. Let the agar cool to about 120–140°F (50–60°C) — still liquid enough to pour, but cool enough to limit condensation.
- Pour. In front of a flow hood or in a still air box, fill each sterile dish about 1/3 full (roughly 18–20 mL). Let plates set with lids slightly cracked.
- Store or use. Stack set plates upside-down. Use right away, or seal and refrigerate at 35–40°F for up to 30 days.
Use distilled water. Tap water's minerals, chlorine and chloramines can affect how the agar sets, shift pH and sometimes inhibit mycelium. Reverse osmosis water also works well. For a full walkthrough, read our 2026 guide to using agar plates.
Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Brand | Myco Labs |
| Net weight | 200g (7oz) |
| Ingredients | Extra light malt extract, high-strength agar powder, soy peptone |
| Yield | 200+ standard 90mm plates |
| Mixing ratio | 16g powder per 500 mL distilled water (about 25 plates per batch) |
| Cost per plate | About $0.10 |
| Sterilization | 15 PSI / 121°C for 20 minutes |
| Pour temperature | 120–140°F (50–60°C) |
| Shelf life | 12+ months unopened; 6 months opened and resealed, in cool, dry storage |
| Origin | Blended in Illinois, USA |
Pour for even lessPair this powder with Microppose reusable autoclavable petri dishes for the lowest long-term cost per plate, or use sterile disposable petri dishes. You'll also want a pressure cooker or autoclave and a laminar flow hood.
FAQ
How many plates does one bag make?
At 16g of powder per 500 mL of water, one 200g bag makes about 200 standard 90mm plates filled to 18–20 mL each. Most users get 180–220 plates depending on fill and spills.
What's the difference between LME and MEA?
MEA (malt extract agar) is the broad category. LME uses the lightest grade of malt extract, which produces a cleaner amber medium for evaluating mycelium and spotting contamination. Our blend also adds soy peptone for extra nitrogen.
Can I use it for all mushroom species?
Yes. It supports common gourmet species like oysters, shiitake, lion's mane and pioppino, functional species like reishi, cordyceps and maitake, and exotic varieties.
Do I need an autoclave?
No. A pressure cooker that reaches 15 PSI (121°C / 250°F) works for hobby-scale agar work. A dedicated autoclave makes larger or commercial batches faster.
Why is my agar cloudy?
Common causes are powder that wasn't fully dissolved before sterilizing, overheating in the pressure cooker, mineral-heavy water, or using more than 16g per 500 mL. Prepared correctly, it should be a clear amber; slight haze is normal.
Is this the same agar you use in your colonized plates?
Yes. It's the same formulation we use to pour every colonized agar plate we sell.
How long does the powder last?
12+ months unopened, and about 6 months once opened, kept resealed in a cool, dry place.
