It is used for differentiation and identification of members of Enterobacteriaecae. The medium contains biopeptone and HM extract, which supply essential nutrients for the support of bacterial growth. Citrate and deoxycholate act as inhibitors. Sodium deoxycholate and sodium citrate inhibit gram-positive organisms. Lactose helps in differentiating enteric bacilli as lactose fermenters produce red coloured colonies while lactose non-fermenters form colourless colonies.
1.Williams (Ed.), 1995, Official methods of Analysis of AOAC, 16th ed. AOAC, Washington D.C. 2.Tech. Manual of AATCC, 1985, Vol. 61, AATCC, Research Triangle Park,N.C.