ESCULIN IRON AGAR

Enterococci are indicators of the sanitary quality of recreational waters, since they occur in faeces of humans and warm-blooded animals. Detection and quantitation of Enterococci is necessary because gastroenteritis is associated with swimming in recreational water, which is dependant of enterococcal densities.
Esculin Iron Agar is used in conjunction with M-Enterococcus Agar, Modified, for verification of enterococcal colonies in fresh and marine recreational water, as recommended by APH. Esculin in the medium is hydrolyzed by Enterococci to form esculetin and dextrose. Esculetin reacts with the iron salt (ferric ammonium citrate) and produces a dark brown to black complex, which appears around the colonies.

for cultivation and identi?cation of Enterococci based on their ability to hydrolyze esculin