Catalase in growth media

1. A hydrogen-peroxide neutralizing growth medium comprising at least 0.3 U/ml of a secreted fungal catalase in admixture with a growth medium, between 0.2 g/l and 4 g/l sodium pyruvate, and between 0.005 g/l and 0.05 g/l sodium thiosulfate, wherein the growth medium is a solid agar growth medium.

2. The medium according to claim 1 , wherein said medium is sterilized.

3. The medium according to claim 1 , wherein said catalase is derived from a species of the genus Magnaporthe or Scytalidium.

4. The medium according to claim 3 , wherein the catalase is derived from Magnaporthe grisea or from Scytalidium thermophilum.

5. The medium according to claim 1 , wherein the concentration of catalase in the growth medium is between 0.3 U/ml and 90 U/ml.

6. The medium according to claim 1 wherein the concentration of sodium pyruvate in the growth medium is between 0.2 g/l and 2 g/l.

7. A method for detecting microorganisms in a hydrogen peroxide-bearing aerosol or on a hydrogen peroxide-bearing surface, said method comprising contacting said aerosol or surface with a medium according to claim 1 and detecting growth of microorganisms in said medium.

8. The method according to claim 7 , comprising the steps of:

a. bringing a hydrogen peroxide-bearing aerosol or a hydrogen peroxide-bearing surface into contact with a growth medium comprising the catalase according to claim 1 ;

b. placing the growth medium in an environment allowing the development of colonies of microorganisms; and

c. determining if colonies of microorganisms which may have developed during step (b) are present.

9. The method according to claim 7 , wherein the hydrogen peroxide-bearing aerosol comprises air.

10. The method of claim 7 , further comprising the step of sterilizing the medium with gamma-radiation.