Question

Please write a brief description of each type of agar (MacConkey's, Tryptic Soy Agar, Mannitol Salt Agar, and Blood Agar) and it's purpose (what is in it, why? and what type of bacteria are cultured with it when do you use each type?)

Answer 1

MacConkey's- MacConkey agar is an indicator, a selective and differential substance for bacteria designed to selectively isolate Gram-negative and enteric (normally found within the intestinal tract) bacilli and differentiate them supported lactose fermentation.

Tryptic Soy Agar is a universal medium which supports the expansion of wide range of microorganisms (both gram positive still as gram negative bacteria grow during this medium). it's used for the isolation and cultivation of wide range of microorganisms. TSA slants are getting used to store and ship bacterial cultures.

Mannitol Salt Agar (MSA) is employed as a selective and differential medium for the isolation and identification of Staphylococcus aureus from clinical and non-clinical specimens. It encourages the expansion of a bunch of certain bacteria while inhibiting the expansion of others.

Blood agar contains general nutrients and 5% sheep blood. it's useful for cultivating fastidious organisms and for determining the hemolytic capabilities of an organism. Some bacteria do produce exoenzymes that lyse red blood cells and degrade hemoglobin and they are known as hemolysins.