Selective media have additives that inhibit growth of some bacteria.
Example: Bile Esculin Agar (BEA) contains additives that allow only enterococcus and strep group D to grow.
Differential media have additives that indicate properties of some colonies.
Example: Blood agar changes to indicate hemolysis
Media can be both selective and differential.
Example: MacConkey agar — bile salts and crystal violet inhibit growth of Gram-positive microrganisms; lactose and neutral red reveal lactose fermenters by a pink color change in the colony.
March 13th, 2010 at 11:03 pm
Yeah that is a good idea…
March 17th, 2010 at 5:39 am
Selective media have additives that inhibit growth of some bacteria.
Example: Bile Esculin Agar (BEA) contains additives that allow only enterococcus and strep group D to grow.
Differential media have additives that indicate properties of some colonies.
Example: Blood agar changes to indicate hemolysis
Media can be both selective and differential.
Example: MacConkey agar — bile salts and crystal violet inhibit growth of Gram-positive microrganisms; lactose and neutral red reveal lactose fermenters by a pink color change in the colony.