SAAMF (Synthetic Amino Acid Medium-Fungal) is a completely defined, highly buffered medium developed to support the growth of a wide spectrum of fungi. SAAMF has been demonstrated to be nonantagonistic to any presently known antifungal agent and is preferred to media containing naturally derived components.
Applications: Among the polyenes, Amphotericin B and Nystatin are highly susceptible to autoxidation and peroxidation resulting in inactivation. However, since acidic pH adversely affects the activity of Amphotericin B, media such as YNB and unbuffered Yeast Morphology Agar should be avoided. SAAMF is highly buffered, pH adjusted, and isomolal thereby avoiding the shortcomings of the other media.
5-Flourocytosine is antagonized by certain purines and pyrimidines present in other media such as Sabouraud Dextrose Agar and Brain Heart Infusion. Such nucleosides are not present in SAAMF.
Similar inhibition of the imidazoles has been observed with Sabouraud Dextrose. Variation in MIC values of clotrimazole, miconazole, econazole, and tioconazole has been demonstrated in other media such as YNB, whereas values in SAAMF appear to be more consistent and reproducible.