Evaluation of boric acid as a mounting agent in a microbiology laboratory

Abstract

Introduction: Boric acid is a low-toxicity, non-volatile mineral with is antiseptic, antifungal, and antiviral properties. It is used as a wettable powder, liquid (applied as a spray or aerosol), emulsifiable concentrate, granules, powders, dusts, pellets, tablets, paste, bait or crystalline rods, depending upon the circumstances and target. In light of this information, the present study is aimed to compare bacterial and fungal mounts with both lactophenol cotton blue (LCB) and Boric acid-methylene blue-glycerol (BMG) i.e., effectivity of boric acid as mounting agent since it is a disinfectant, antiseptic, preservative and suppresses conidiogenesis in fungi. Material and methods:This mounting agent of boric acid was compared with lactophenol cotton blue commercial solution. Results: BMG was found to be equally effective in comparison with LCB. Discussion: BMG can be a cheaper alternative to LCB for observing colonies from Saboraud’s dextrose agar.