What are the different types of special media?
Posted December 22, 2023
Answer
There are six types of special media. These media include enriched media, basal media, selective media, transport media, storage media, and indicator media.
- Basal media is the basic media used for growing bacteria which do not require additional nutrients. Some examples of basal media are nutrient agar and nutrient broth. Bacteria such as Staphylococcus and Enterobacteriaceae are able to grow in these media.
- Selective media is designed to promote the growth of specific bacteria by inhibiting the growth of undesired ones. Examples include MacConkey Agar; antibiotics may be also added to further inhibit unwanted bacteria.
- Enriched media are supplemented with serum, blood, or egg components; a common example of this media include blood agar.
- Transport media are used when immediate culturing of specimens isn't possible after collection. Examples are Amies medium and Stuart medium (which preserve specimens for later culturing).
- Storage media are intended for long-term storage of bacteria. Examples include egg saline medium and chalk cooked meat broth.
- Indicator media contain indicators that change when specific organisms are present; examples of this media include blood agar and MacConkey agar.
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