Overview of Selective and Differential Culture Media

MacConkey's Agar

Selective and differential culture medium for gram-negative bacteria.

Blood Agar

Enriched and differential medium that supports the growth of fastidious organisms.

Chocolate Agar

Enriched medium that allows for the growth of organisms that require additional nutrients.

Mannitol Salts Agar

Selective and differential medium for staphylococci, particularly Staphylococcus aureus.

Thiosulfate Citrate Bile Salts Agar

Selective culture medium for isolating enteric gram-negative bacteria.

Eosin Methylene Blue Agar

Selective and differential media for gram-negative bacteria, particularly enteric bacteria.

Sierra's Medium / Lipolytic Agar

Differential medium for the detection of lipolytic activity.