ENTEROCOCCUS AGAR BASE

Enterococci were formerly classified as faecal streptococci. Enterococci serves as an indicator organism in monitoring food samples as it is cause of faecal contamination. Of the various species of Enterococci, E.faecalis and E.faecium are frequently found in humans. The presence of Enterococci in food samples has been studied. A variety of selective media have been recommended for the isolation of Enterococcus species. This medium is designed for the selective isolation and differentiation between Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium.
The differentiation is based depending upon the reduction of tetrazolium. Enterococcus faecalis produces colonies with a deep red center and a narrow white periphery with yellow background, whereas Enterococcus faecium produces white or pale pink coloured colonies.

for selective isolation and di?erentiation of Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium