Comparison of the plating efficiencies and shelf lives of three different commercial buffered charcoal yeast extract media supplemented with alpha-ketoglutaric acid.

The plating efficiencies and shelf lives of locally made buffered charcoal yeast extract medium supplemented with alpha-ketoglutaric acid (BCYEalpha) were compared to those of media made by BD, Hardy, and Remel. Lung homogenates from guinea pigs infected with Legionella pneumophila were plated monthly onto different medium lots. All media performed equally well and had shelf lives of at least 12 months.