PHENYLETHYL ALCOHOL AGAR

Phenylethyl alcohol is a chemical agent that exhibits inhibitory action against gram-negative and certain gram-positive bacteria. Phenylethyl Alcohol Agar is formulated as per Lilley and Brewer for the selective isolation of gram-positive bacteria. This medium can be supplemented with 5 % sheep blood. This medium is especially useful when specimens are contaminated with swarming Proteus species. It is also useful in the diagnostic studies of wounds and exudate cultures. However, Phenylethyl Alcohol Agar can?t be used to study haemolytic reactions as the results are atypical.

for the isolation of gram- positive organisms like Staphylococci and Streptococci