This is a Provisional monograph.

This selective medium was developed by Edelstein in 1981. The name BMPAα is derived from the abbreviation used to distinguish this medium in the study. Polymyxin B sulfate suppresses the growth of Gram-positive bacteria, cefamandole inhibits Gram-positive as well as Gram-negative bacteria, whilst anisomycin is added to suppress the growth of fungi and yeasts. BMPAα agar is more suitable than BCYE medium (q.v.) for samples with a high concentration of background flora.

Prepare and sterilise the basal medium, including the glycine, as for BCYE agar. Add to the cooled medium (50°C) fresh filter-sterilised solutions of L-cysteine (0.4 g/10 mL), iron(III) pyrophosphate (0.25 g/10 mL), polymyxin B sulfate (80 000 i.u./10 mL), cefamandole (0.004 g/10 mL) and anisomycin (0.08 g/10 mL).