IMA

IMA (Instant Mash Agar)

IMA is sometimes also called Smash (after the brand name of the instant potato commonly used). Other brands of instant mashed potato can also be used to make up this medium.

Preparation

Per 100 mL:

• 2g Smash instant potato
• 2g agar
• 100mL tap water

Instructions

1. Mix all the components together well in a 200mL Erlenmeyer flask with a bung, or other container suitable for autoclaving.
2. Sterilize by autoclaving at 15 lbs pressure (121°C) for 15 minutes.
3. Mix well and pour into sterile Petri dishes.

Uses

• Routine growth of Streptomyces sp.
• Preparing spore stocks

Notes

• Because the agar and instant mashed potato are not very soluble, IMA should be made up in small 100 mL batches (do not attempt to make up 1 L and aliquot into flasks for autoclaving)
• Streptomyces scabies grows particularly well on IMA.
• Strains of Streptomyces coelicolor that fail to sporulate well on SFM may sporulate better on IMA.