MacConkey Agar – Full Product Description
MacConkey Agar is a selective and differential solid culture medium widely used for the isolation and differentiation of gram-negative enteric bacteria, especially members of the Enterobacteriaceae family. It is one of the most commonly used media in clinical, food, water, and pharmaceutical microbiology laboratories.
The medium contains bile salts and crystal violet, which inhibit the growth of gram-positive organisms, ensuring selective growth of gram-negative bacteria. Lactose is included as a fermentable carbohydrate, and neutral red acts as a pH indicator. Lactose-fermenting bacteria produce acid, resulting in pink to red colonies, while non-lactose fermenters form colorless or pale colonies, allowing easy visual differentiation.
MacConkey Agar provides reliable and reproducible results, making it an essential medium for routine bacterial identification and quality control testing.
Key Features & Benefits :Macconkey Agar
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Selective and differential medium for gram-negative bacteria
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Differentiates lactose fermenters and non-fermenters
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Inhibits gram-positive bacterial growth
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Clear, easy-to-interpret colony morphology
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Suitable for routine microbiological analysis
Applications
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Isolation of enteric pathogens from clinical specimens
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Water and wastewater microbiological testing
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Food and dairy product quality control
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Pharmaceutical and cosmetic microbiology
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Educational and research laboratories
Typical Composition
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Peptone
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Lactose
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Bile Salts
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Sodium Chloride
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Neutral Red
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Agar
(Exact composition may vary slightly by manufacturer)
Storage & Handling
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Store in a cool, dry place
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Protect from moisture and direct sunlight
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For laboratory use only
Why Choose Bright Scientific?
Bright Scientific offers high-quality microbiological culture media that meet laboratory testing requirements. Our MacConkey Agar ensures consistent performance, accurate differentiation, and dependable results for routine and advanced microbiological applications.
| Ingredients | Amount |
| Peptone (Pancreatic digest of gelatin) | 17 gm |
| Proteose peptone (meat and casein) | 3 gm |
| Lactose monohydrate | 10 gm |
| Bile salts | 1.5 gm |
| Sodium chloride | 5 gm |
| Neutral red | 0.03 gm |
| Crystal Violet | 0.001 g |
| Agar | 13.5 gm |
| Distilled Water | Add to make 1 Liter |
