Development of Artificial Sebum-Containing Leeming and Notman Agar Medium to Enhance the Growth of Malassezia

The study developed a new artificial sebum-containing modified Leeming and Notman agar medium (mLNA) to enhance the growth of Malassezia species, which are lipophilic fungi. By replacing olive oil with artificial sebum and Tween 60 with glyceryl stearate, the researchers achieved higher yields of Malassezia spp. Notably, the yield of Malassezia restricta, the most predominant fungus on human skin, was doubled compared to the standard mLNA. This advancement could improve the cultivation and study of these fungi.