MIO Medium (Motility Indole Ornithine Medium)

MIO Medium (Motility Indole Ornithine Medium) is recommended for the identification of Enterobacteriaceae on the basis of motility, indole production and ornithine decarboxylase activity. Organisms ferment dextrose to form acid, which causes the pH indicator bromocresol purple to change from purple to yellow.Organisms possessing ornithine decarboxylase enzyme, decarboxylate ornithine to putrescine which increases the pH making it alkaline, indicated by a colour change from yellow to purple throughout the medium. Decarboxylase negative reaction is indicated by yellow colour or yellow with a purple band near the top of the medium. The indole produced combines with the aldehyde present in the Kovacs reagentto form a red complex.