Which selective medium is used to inhibit saprophytic molds by containing cycloheximide?

• A. Inhibitory mold agar
• B. Mycosel agar
• C. Dermatophyte test medium
• D. SABHI agar

Answer: (A)

Selective media use inhibitors to suppress unwanted fungi so the organism of interest stands out. Cycloheximide blocks protein synthesis in many saprophytic molds, preventing their growth while dermatophytes can still grow under those conditions. This makes a medium containing cycloheximide ideal for isolating dermatophytes from specimens that harbor a mixed fungal flora, since the saprophytic molds are inhibited and dermatophytes become easier to detect by colony appearance and subsequent tests. Inhibitory Mold Agar is specifically formulated to include cycloheximide for this purpose, providing a clear environment where dermatophyte growth can be observed against a suppressed background of saprophytic molds.