Malt extract agar (MA) and potato
dextrose agar (PDA) are two fungal
culture media, widely used in pathological
studies. In Bangladesh, during 1984-85
Difco malt extiact was sold at Tk. 3,000-
4,000 (US $ 9Q-120)/kg and chemical grade
dextrose at Tk. 300-400 (US$ 9-12)/kg,
thus making both of these items very costly.

Malt extract is prepared from the soluble
extracts of sprouted cereals such as
barley, wheat, rye, oat, corn or rice and
contains about 80% carbohydrate (Anon.
1979). Sugarcane gur is produced in
Bangladesh from juice obtained by crushing
sugarcane stems and is available in all
local markets throughout the year at about